Google, for now the world’s most popular search engine, recently changed the way it ranks results when people ask it to look for information.
You may think this isn’t all that big a deal, but potentially it is. The reason is that Google’s changes give smaller companies and web sites more of chance to be included in high-ranking results than before.
Because what Google has done is so important, we’ve added a standalone Special Report. We hope its information will help you make your online presence more helpful and effective.
Speaking of Google, watch for us to begin appearing on its news site (and why it will help you)
Starting in February, look for Google to begin linking to The Cultured Traveler in its news site (http://news.google.com/). Recently we contacted Google to let it know we’re in the neighborhood. Google’s powers that be took a look at our web site and quickly responded that they’d be linking up to us soon. This is good news for us, but even better for you. As we said in the item above this, sophisticated search engines like Google scan portal sites like Cultural Travels because that’s where they can find the most relevant links for people seeking “cultural travels.” A portal site makes it easier for consumers to buy because it provides them a comprehensive one-stop source of information.
Study says 1 out of 7 Big Boys muff their web sites. . . Moral: test your site weekly
No matter how sophisticated we get, sometimes the obvious eludes us. Jupiter research recently conducted a simple test: It tested 22,000 links at well-known consumer web sites to see if they were working properly and got a startling result: 1 out of 7 links didn’t work correctly. Problems ranged from broken links and server errors to connections to dead or non-existent sites. The good news: Even the Big Boys forget to do simple maintenance. The bad news: We’re no better than they are. The moral: Have one of your employees do a “consumer diagnostic” of your web site at least once a week to look for problems. Then fix them right away.
We go out on a thick limb and make 3 predictions for 2004
Everybody else does it, so why not us? Here are our predictions for the travel industry online in 2004:
- Online marketing will become more intergraded as services such as TravelWebs.net — a one stop shop for web site design, hosting and marketing — are linked to portal sites like CulturalTravels.com. These collaborations will allow for more interaction and control of your online marketing.
- Online video feeds will become more common. This means specialty tour operators will be able to show travelers just what to expect before a trip — Live from their web site!
- As wireless, PDAs and 24/7 consumer connectivity become commonplace, consumers will expect everybody doing business to have a Web presence. Companies whose web sites lack interactivity, depth or continuously updated information will begin to lose, and then go out of business.
Hints on how to make your e-mails work better
E-mail, like snail mail, may generate a lot of complaints and concerns, but nobody in his right mind is calling for it to disappear. As with paper mail, the secret to getting people to read your messages and not dislike you for sending them is in your approach.
This month we’ve written a few short items on ways you can tweak your e-mail to be both an effective way of getting your message across while also preserving your relationship with your customers: Email Hints and Tips.
Upcoming Newsletter issues include:
March: The
Deep South
April: People Powered Trips —hiking, biking, walking ect.
If you'd like your company included in our Host Review or to submit an article contact us 888-443-8687.
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