For businesses in the travel industry, the web is an especially natural place to present
your services. A growing number of travelers scour the web for ideas about where to stay, what and where to eat,
and what to do when they arrive at their destination. They also want to know before they leave home about the kinds
of products that are particularly available in the area they will be visiting. The web is becoming the first place
many people look for travel information. For many, it is the ONLY place they will look. Communicating via the web
and email with people in far away time zones is easy, fast, convenient and free.
Whether your customers or clients are local or global, the web provides an excellent place
for an interactive brochure, which will tell potential customers everything they need to know about your business.
You can show examples of your work, describe your pricing, and display customer comments. You can architect your
site to provide an overview of your business or service and then link to pages that supply greater detail than
would be economical in a printed brochure. And, you can update your online brochure frequently without costly reprinting
charges.
When your customers have questions or need estimates, they can click on an email link and
instantly be able to send a message to you 24 hours a day. And you can answer them at your convenience without
being a slave to a telephone's ring. (You should, however, be prepared to answer within the day. Customers view
communication in "Internet time" as a real advantage).
As more and more people become accustomed to using the web they will find it easier to
use than the yellow pages. Search engines are becoming the research vehicles of choice to tens of thousands of
people. While at this time a web site may not replace the need for the yellow pages, it is certainly a cost effective
addition to your marketing campaign.
Do you find that you answer the same questions over and over for customers? The web offers
the perfect place to provide in depth answers to the questions you frequently hear. And if your customers still
have questions, you can provide them with a form and encourage them to send them to you via email.
The web is a great place to reach very specialized markets. Use the right keywords on your
web site and your customers will have an easy time locating specialized products and services that may be difficult
to find elsewhere.
