Comments on: How to start a travel website

By: Andy

Andy — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 18:08:35 +0000

“Launching a travel business on the web costs a lot less than most people think”

£20 per month hosting fee + grunt work.

By: Donna

Donna — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 07:11:23 +0000

@ Simon

I have just logged onto computer and you have made my day with your compliment: thank you.

You and Mark are great for giving a girl a boost! Thanks both of you. Especially as my site is only a few months old, has such a long way to go and I’m making mistakes all the time…

For the freedom it gives me to work where and when I want to, I wouldn’t swap it…

Donna

By: Simon Dance

Simon Dance — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 06:27:58 +0000

@Donna - some excellent tips there… and I have to say, I love your website… the simplicity and quality content. Great job.

Simon

By: Donna

Donna — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 20:47:45 +0000

Hi Mark

Thanks for the compliment. Yes, I know, I ought to, and its on my list of pages to write, but I have about a 1000 more interesting ones I want to do so before!

Donna

By: Mark Hodson

Mark Hodson — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 20:27:10 +0000

Great tips, Donna. Thanks for your contribution. Your site looks great - how about putting up an “about me” page?

By: Donna

Donna — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 18:47:14 +0000

My site is still very new, but my tips are:

1. Even if a particular niche seems saturated, think of an angle that is your own and so find a niche within a niche.

2. Write with passion and your own voice. Don’t try and copy the commercial sites. People like reading pages written by “someone” rather than a global company.

3. Write about a place you love… it will keep you going when you feel like giving up. It is hard work if you are going to make it work.

4. Always put photos on every page: travel sites just cry out for them. And don’t forget the alt tags…

5. Enjoy it!

By: Simon Dance

Simon Dance — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:03:08 +0000

@Mark thanks Mark, I think you’ve hit the nail on the head. With the development of social technologies and more fluid feedback mechanisms we’re certainly seeing a more responsive sector where both the industry and holidaymakers themselves are feeding back into the cycle, and I must say it’s really exciting.

By: Mark Hodson

Mark Hodson — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 11:33:34 +0000

Jared makes a great point in his post (you can read it here):

“85% of potential travelers search online before deciding where to go. This is great news for Joobili and other sites trying to fill a void in online travel inspiration. Go to nearly any travel website and the first thing you need to do is enter your destination. What if 85% of us don’t know where we want to go, we need some inspiration?”

Spot on. That’s what 101 Holidays is all about, answering that simple question: “Where should I go?”

By: Mark Hodson

Mark Hodson — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 11:10:40 +0000

@Simon: I agree wholeheartedly. Marketing is the greatest challenge - ensuring that your site stands out amidst the ever-growing crowd. Ultimately, I think, it comes down to excellence, passion … and a bit of luck.

By: Travoluminations « Joobili Blog

Travoluminations « Joobili Blog — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 11:09:14 +0000

[...] from the Travolution Summit in London. Clearly I need to take some lessons from Ginny and Mark on writing SEO friendly titles for my blog. Before launching into my highlights I owe a big thanks [...]