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In an era where online presence can make or break a business, the travel industry is no exception. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, travel agencies are finding themselves in a competitive space where visibility is key.
According to stats, the global online travel agent industry is responsible for a substantial portion of global GDP, contributing $432 billion to the world's total economic activity in 2020. This number is expected to rise to $690.71 Billion In 2026.
With such significant economic impact, the importance of effective online strategies cannot be overstated. In our previous article we covered how to use Paid Search for travel businesses. In this one we’ll dive into travel SEO.
Search engines are the go-to resource for modern travelers seeking information, inspiration, and booking options. Recently, there have been countless discussions about Search Engine Optimization(SEO) losing ground in the digital marketing realm due to the dominance of AI-driven search and Paid Advertisement. However, the numbers tell a different story. Currently around 30.7% of website traffic in the travel industry comes from organic search.
As long as people use search engines to look for things, SEO services for travel industry will remain relevant. And despite the undeniable results that come from PPC, studies keep showing that people still have more trust in organic results.
Here are key reasons why SEO is crucial for travel agencies:
The answer to when to start SEO for travel website is simple: the sooner, the better. Establishing a strong online presence takes time, and SEO is a long-term strategy that yields cumulative benefits. However, here are specific scenarios that signal it's time to prioritize SEO for your travel agency:
The best case scenario is when you start to work with a SEO specialist while developing the website. They can help you configure everything correctly from the beginning.
If you already have a website, your very first step in SEO for travel industry should be getting an audit.
Now that we understand the importance of SEO for travel agencies, let's delve into the key steps to craft a successful SEO strategy tailored to the travel industry:
When it comes to travel SEO, putting in effort in appearing on Maps doubles your chances to get noticed. When your business appears both on the map search and on the first page of a search engine result page(SERP), that both adds to your credibility in the eyes of the customers, and grows visibility. While getting to the first page of SERP requires SEO optimization of your website, in order to be visible on maps you’ll have to work on your Google Business profile.
Google Business: Google Business is a free tool that allows businesses, including travel agencies, to manage their online presence on Google. This includes displaying information such as business hours, location, and customer reviews, crucial for local SEO. Here are the steps you’ll need to take:
For instance, Airbnb utilizes local SEO effectively by optimizing property listings with location-specific keywords. This ensures that users searching for accommodations in specific areas find relevant listings easily.
Good writing will make your website or blog a trusted place for information. Check out what your closest competitors are doing and try to offer something they don't have. Share detailed information about popular travel spots, including secret places, local suggestions, and useful tips. To get more people to see your content, think about asking famous travel bloggers to write posts for your site. Content is a big part of SEO for travel company, since it shows your expertise and builds trust.
Some content ideas for your website:
In the realm of SEO, keyword optimization involves strategically incorporating relevant keywords and phrases into website content to enhance search engine visibility. For a travel agency, this includes targeting keywords related to destinations, travel services, and customer needs.
Start by using keyword research tools like Ahrefs or Serpstat to identify frequently searched queries related to your travel business. Incorporate these keywords strategically in your content to improve search engine rankings.
For more insights check our article about top SEO keyword tips and tricks.
A slow website can lead to high bounce rates. Optimize images, leverage browser caching, and use Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) to enhance website speed.
Ensure your travel website is responsive and mobile-friendly. Google prioritizes mobile-friendly websites, making this crucial for SEO success.
Switch to HTTPS to ensure a secure connection. Google considers website security as a ranking factor, and a secure site builds trust with users.
Backlinks are links from external websites that point to your travel agency's website. Quality backlinks from authoritative sources contribute to your website's credibility and improve rankings.
In the dynamic world of travel, it's crucial for travel agencies to be good at SEO for lasting success. This means using smart strategies like making sure people nearby can find you easily (local SEO), creating interesting content, making your website work well (technical optimization), getting other reputable websites to link to yours (link building), and keeping an eye on how well things are going with analytics. To make the job easier for yourself and maximize your budget, consider SEO services for travel industry.
Doing all this helps travel agencies show up more online, gain trust, and get more people interested in what they offer. It's an ongoing process that needs flexibility and a dedication to sharing helpful and interesting stuff that today's travelers want.
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We analyzed 184 websites with different traffic volumes over the same period from Ahrefs, Similarweb, and Semrush, and compared the indicators.
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