#1 SEO Tip – If you’re not targeting keywords with existing search volume, then you’re not going to get search traffic
What does this mean?
It means, find a desirable idea to write about. One that people are already searching / looking for online.
Focusing on Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is crucial for any independent travel agent looking to increase online visibility, attract more traffic to their website or online profile, and ultimately, generate more bookings.
Catch the Wave
Search queries can be a good source of inspiration for what type of content to create and how to enrich your new/existing content.
Queries can help you identify which questions and informational needs people have, for instance:
- Search for a topic or a question that interests you on Google, and then check the ‘people also asked’ and ‘related searches’ sections to get additional related ideas.
- Check out your site’s top and trending queries in Search Console Insights and think if you should create more related content.
- Use Google Trends to identify what people are searching for in the context of a topic/query that interests you.
Create Good Content
Once you identify a desirable idea that you think could be interesting for enough people, try searching for it on Google to take inspiration from existing content. By innovating and improving on it, you can create something that would be valuable and interesting for your audiences.
It’s also important to have an engaging page title that is relevant to the content and to how your audiences might search for it on Google. You can read more tips in our SEO starter guide and helpful content guide.
Help people discover your content
Once you have created a good piece of content, consider helping relevant audiences discover it by putting it out there in front of them, for instance:
- •Share links to your new content in places where your potential audiences can be found, such as on social media, groups, articles in other websites and forums.
- •When relevant, link from your site’s most popular pieces of content to your new content to help readers discover it.
Make sure it looks good
Create modern looking & visually appealing content
Make sure the content’s presentation looks modern and inviting and that the texts can be easily read on mobile devices. Visuals can be powerful, such as large high quality images and videos.
Focusing on Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is crucial for any independent travel agent looking to increase online visibility, attract more traffic to their website, and ultimately, generate more bookings.
Here are strategies to best focus on SEO:
1. Keyword Research
- Identify keywords and phrases that potential clients use when searching for travel services. Tools like Google Keyword Planner, Moz, or SEMrush can help find relevant keywords related to your travel niche.
2. Optimize Website Content
- Ensure your website’s content (text, images, videos) is optimized for your target keywords. Include keywords in titles, headings, meta descriptions, and throughout the content, but avoid keyword stuffing. Make sure the content provides value and answers potential clients’ questions.
3. Create Quality Content
- Publish high-quality, engaging content that addresses your target audience’s needs and interests. This could be travel guides, tips, destination reviews, or personal travel stories. Fresh, unique content can improve your search rankings and attract more visitors.
4. Optimize for Local SEO
- If you’re targeting clients in specific locations, optimize your website for local SEO. This includes creating a Google My Business listing, adding your business to local directories, and including location-based keywords in your content.
5. Improve Website Usability and Experience
- Google values user experience highly. Ensure your website is mobile-friendly, has fast loading times, and offers easy navigation. Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to analyze and improve your site’s performance.
6. Use Internal Linking
- Use internal links to connect content within your website, helping Google understand the structure of your site and the importance of pages. It also helps visitors navigate your site more easily.
7. Build Quality Backlinks
- Backlinks from reputable sites in the travel industry can significantly boost your SEO. You can earn backlinks by guest posting on travel blogs, collaborating with travel influencers, or getting featured in travel directories.
8. Optimize for Voice Search
- With the rise of voice-activated devices, optimize your content for voice search. This often means targeting longer, more conversational queries that people use when speaking.
9. Utilize Social Media
- While social media signals do not directly influence SEO rankings, sharing content on social media can increase your visibility, drive traffic to your site, and indirectly improve your SEO.
10. Monitor Your SEO Performance
- Use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to track your website’s performance, monitor traffic, understand how visitors find your site, and identify areas for improvement.
11. Stay Updated with SEO Trends
- SEO is an ever-evolving field. Stay updated with the latest trends and algorithm updates by following SEO blogs, participating in forums, and attending webinars or conferences.
Focusing on these SEO strategies requires time and effort, but the payoff can be significant in terms of increased visibility, higher traffic, and more business opportunities.
As an independent travel agent, improving your SEO is an investment in the long-term growth and success of your travel business.