The travel market is growing. According to Statista, the online travel market size is expected to reach $800 billion by 2028. Plus, many people earn about $5,000 a month through affiliate programs like Booking.com.
Creating a travel website can be a lucrative way to earn money. With the right approach, you can turn your travel experiences and knowledge into a profitable business or side hustle.
However, it can be tricky especially for beginners. That’s why, in this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know on creating a travel website. From picking a domain name to increasing its online presence.
10 types of travel websites
Let’s explore some common types of travel websites.
- Hotel booking websites. These travel agency websites are dedicated to helping travelers find and reserve accommodations. They provide a vast database of hotels, resorts, hostels, and vacation rentals, along with detailed information, reviews, and booking options. Travelers looking for travel tips can find valuable insights on these sites.
- Travel blogs. A successful travel blog shares personal experiences, tips, and insights. They feature captivating travel posts, stunning photographs, and practical travel tips to inspire and guide other travelers.
- Travel planning and itinerary websites. These websites, often maintained by travel agencies, assist travelers in organizing their trips effectively and efficiently. They offer tools and resources for creating travel itineraries, blog posts, tips, and setting budgets. Some even provide pre-designed itineraries for popular destinations.
- Flight booking websites. Similar to hotel booking platforms, these travel agency websites focus on finding and booking flights. Travelers can compare prices, flight options, and even receive alerts for fare drops. Making them ideal for budget-conscious individuals and tourists who want to achieve hassle-free processes.
- Travel deals and discount websites. These travel company websites include group travel deals, discounts, and special offers from various providers. They help travelers save money on flights, accommodations, tours, and more.
- Adventure and outdoor travel websites. Catering to adventure seekers, these travel and tourism websites specialize in outdoor and adventure travel experiences. They offer information on hiking, trekking, wildlife safaris, and extreme sports, along with tips for adventurous travelers.
- Local travel guides. Local experts and travel bloggers create these travel and tourism websites to showcase the hidden gems and local attractions of a particular destination. They often provide insider tips for a more authentic travel experience.
- Cruise booking websites. These travel agency websites are dedicated to cruise vacations. They allow travelers to explore cruise options, destinations, itineraries, and book their cruise packages, along with useful tips for cruise enthusiasts.
- Travel forums and communities. These travel websites facilitate discussions among travelers. People can ask questions, seek travel tips and advice, and share their experiences, fostering a sense of community among globetrotters.
- Review and rating websites. These travel company websites focus on user-generated reviews and ratings for accommodations, restaurants, attractions, and travel services. They help travelers make informed decisions based on the experiences of others, which serves as a valuable resource for travel tips and recommendations.
12 basic features of a successful travel website
Let’s discuss the essential features that contribute to the success of a travel website, whether it’s a travel agency website or a travel company website.
- User-friendly navigation. A successful travel website should be easy to navigate. Visitors should quickly find the information they need, whether they’re tips for traveling, destination details, or booking options. Intuitive menus, clear categories, and a logical layout enhance the user experience.
- Attractive visuals. Visual appeal is important in the travel industry. High-quality images and videos showcasing destinations, accommodations, and activities can captivate visitors. Compelling visuals help travelers envision their experiences, which entices them to book through the travel website.
- Search and booking functionality. Travelers visit travel and tourism websites to plan and book their trips. That’s why search and booking functionality is vital. Users should easily search for flights, hotels, tours, or other services, compare options, and make secure bookings directly on your website.
- Informative content. Valuable content is the foundation of a successful travel blog website. Informative blog posts, destination guides, tips, and reviews provide travelers with insights and help them make informed decisions. Fresh and engaging content keeps visitors coming back for more.
- Mobile responsiveness. Travel websites must be mobile-responsive since Google now ranks sites based on their mobile version. This shift matches how travelers behave since most use phones and tablets to plan and book trips. A mobile-friendly design ensures your site works smoothly across all devices. Also, they keep both search engines and users happy.
- Interactive maps. Incorporating interactive maps helps travelers visualize destinations, attractions, and accommodations. They can explore the area, plan itineraries, and understand the proximity of different points of interest.
- Customer reviews and ratings. Travelers appreciate feedback from fellow globetrotters. Including customer reviews and ratings for accommodations, tours, and services builds trust. It also provides valuable insights for potential travelers. According to a study from Exploding Topics, consumers are pursuing a more authentic travel experience, which can make reviews and ratings more meaningful.
- Booking management. For travel agency websites, an efficient booking management system is essential. It allows the agency to handle reservations, manage itineraries, and communicate with clients effectively.
- Secure payment options. Travelers need assurance that their financial information is safe. Providing secure payment options and displaying trust seals can instill confidence in the booking process.
- Social media integration. Travel is often a social experience, and travelers like to share their adventures through social media posts. Integrating social media sharing buttons enables visitors to easily share tips, blog posts, and experiences with their networks.
- Newsletter signup. Encouraging visitors to subscribe to newsletters can help build a loyal audience. You can provide subscribers with tips, exclusive offers, and updates on blog posts.
- Multilingual support. Catering to an international audience? Offering multilingual support or content can broaden your website’s reach and appeal.
How to create a travel website: A Step-by-step guide
Step 1. Choose a reliable web hosting provider
Choosing a reliable web hosting service is the foundation of your travel website. Look for hosts that specialize in website hosting for travel blogs and agencies.
Choosing the right website host is important for the success of your travel website. Here are some tips on how to make an informed decision:
- Assess your website’s needs. Before looking for a hosting provider, understand your website’s requirements. Consider factors like the expected traffic volume, the type of content you’ll host (images, videos, blogs), and any specific software or platforms you’ll use.
- Uptime and reliability. Look for a hosting provider with a track record of high uptime (99.9% or higher). Downtime can deter visitors and harm your website’s reputation.
- Speed and performance. Speed matters for user experience and SEO (search engine optimization). Website travel visitors generally expect a website to be fast. According to a study from Big Commerce, 40% of shoppers will leave a site if it takes more than 3 seconds to fully load. Choose a host with fast servers and optimization features like content delivery networks (CDNs) for quicker page loading times.
- Scalability. Ensure your hosting plan allows for scalability. As your travel website grows, you’ll need the flexibility to upgrade your resources and accommodate increased traffic.
- Customer support. Responsive customer support is vital, especially if you’re not tech-savvy. Test their support channels (live chat, email, phone) to ensure timely assistance when needed.
- Security features. Security is paramount, especially for websites that handle user data. Look for hosts that offer SSL certificates, firewall protection, and regular security updates.
- Backup and recovery options. Choose a host that provides automatic backups and easy recovery options. This helps protect your content in case of data loss or issues.
- Pricing and contracts. Compare pricing plans and contract terms. Be cautious of providers offering exceptionally low prices, as they may compromise on quality.
- User-friendly control panel. A user-friendly control panel, like cPanel or Plesk, makes it easier to manage your website, databases, and domains.
- Reviews and recommendations. Read reviews and seek recommendations from fellow travel bloggers or website owners. Personal experiences and insights can be valuable.
- Hosting features. Check the features offered, such as the number of domains you can host, email accounts, and databases. Ensure these align with your needs.
- Server location. If your target audience is primarily in a specific region, consider choosing a server location close to your audience to reduce latency.
- Money-back guarantee. Opt for a hosting provider that offers a money-back guarantee. This allows you to try their services risk-free and ensures you can get a refund if you’re not satisfied.
- Environmental responsibility. Some hosting providers are committed to eco-friendly practices. If this aligns with your values, consider a green hosting option.
If you’re looking for website hosting solutions, consider Web.com’s scalable hosting plans. It has different perks and inclusions that are fit for your travel website.
Step 2. Choose a domain name
Your domain name is your online identity, so choose it wisely. It should be relevant to your travel niche and easy to remember. Here are some tips to help you select a memorable and effective domain name:
- Keep it short and simple. Short domain names are easier to remember and type. Avoid long, complex names that can lead to typos.
- Make it relevant. Your domain name should reflect the content and purpose of your travel website. Incorporate keywords related to travel or your specific niche.
- Easy to spell and pronounce. Choose a name that is easy to spell and pronounce. Complex or unusual spellings can confuse visitors.
- Avoid special characters and hyphens. Stick to letters, numbers, and hyphens (if necessary). Special characters can be confusing and make your domain harder to remember.
- Use Keywords. Include relevant keywords in your domain name. This can improve your website’s search engine visibility.
- Brandable. Your domain name should be unique and brandable. It should stand out and leave a lasting impression.
- Consider your target audience. Think about the preferences and interests of your target audience. Your domain name should resonate with them.
- Avoid copyright issues. Ensure your domain name doesn’t infringe on trademarks or copyrights. Check for existing trademarks in your chosen name.
- Think long-term. Consider how your domain name will age. Will it still be relevant and meaningful in the future?
- Check domain availability. Before finalizing your choice, check if the domain name is available for registration. Many domain registrars offer search tools for this purpose.
- Choose the right domain extension. Decide on the domain extension (e.g., .com, .net, .travel). While .com is the most common and widely recognized, other extensions can be suitable.
For instance, .travel could show you’re in the travel niche, making it clear and relevant to visitors. If you’re running a travel blog, .blog might be a good choice. If it’s a nonprofit or community-driven site, .org could work better. Pick an extension that matches your website’s purpose and helps people easily understand what your site is about.
- Avoid numbers and hyphens. Numbers and hyphens can lead to confusion. They’re often misunderstood when spoken and can be easily mistyped.
- Conduct a trademark search. Ensure your chosen domain name doesn’t infringe on trademarks or copyrights. This can help you avoid legal issues down the road.
- Be unique. Your domain name should be distinctive and not easily confused with existing websites. Avoid copying or mimicking other domain names.
- Test it out. Share your potential domain name with friends, family, or colleagues to get their feedback. They can provide valuable insights.
- Renewal fees. Check the domain registrar’s renewal fees. Some registrars offer low initial prices but charge significantly higher renewal fees.
- Privacy and security. Consider domain privacy protection to keep your personal information confidential.
If you’re having a hard time creating an on-brand, relevant, and catchy domain name, use our AI Domain Name Generator tool. All you have to do is enter a few prompts then you’ll have a list of domain names in just seconds!
Step 3. Pick a website design template (or use our AI tools)
A good website design attracts visitors and keeps them engaged. It helps your travel blog look professional and easy to navigate.
Web.com offers travel templates that are professionally designed and customizable. You can adjust layouts, colors, and features to match your brand and niche. These templates make it easy to build a site that looks great and works well.
If you want a faster option, you can also choose to use our AI website builder tools to get your website launched quickly and easily. Both options help you create a polished site without much hassle.
Step 4. Create informative and engaging content
Good content is the heart of a travel website. Write helpful blog posts, destination guides, and tips that your readers can use. Add stories and pictures to make your content interesting and easy to connect with.
Try using listicles and videos to keep things fun and fresh. Listicles, like “10 Best Beaches to Visit This Year,” are simple to read and easy to share. They break down information into clear, bite-sized pieces.
For tips on writing great lists, check out HubSpot’s guide. Videos are also a great way to show off destinations. They can help your readers see and feel what a place is like. Mixing these formats makes your blog more interesting and helpful.
Step 5. Launch your website
When your site is ready, make sure it works smoothly before going live. Test it on different devices to ensure everything loads properly and functions as it should. Fix any issues you find during testing to give your audience a good first impression.
As part of the launch, create an XML sitemap and a robots.txt file. These technical tools help search engines understand and rank your site:
- XML sitemap. This lists all the pages on your site so search engines can find and index them easily. Use tools or plugins to generate your sitemap, and submit it through search engine webmaster tools.
- Robots.txt file. This tells search engines which pages to crawl and which to ignore. Use it to block duplicate or sensitive content, but double-check that you’re not accidentally blocking important pages that affect rankings.
With a tested, user-friendly design and these technical steps in place. Your website will be well-prepared for search engines and ready to attract visitors from day one.
Step 6. Promote your website
Getting people to visit your travel blog means spreading the word. Use social media, email newsletters, and SEO to help your blog reach more readers. Ask your audience to share your posts and stories with their friends too.
Don’t forget about link building. Backlinks from trusted travel websites, writing guest blogs for other sites, and submitting your blog to travel directories can all help more people find your site. These steps also boost your blog’s ranking in search engines, bringing in even more visitors.
Step 7. Keep your website up to date
Update your travel website regularly with fresh content, tips, and news about your adventures and destinations. An active site keeps visitors engaged and encourages them to return.
When creating new content, focus on your audience’s needs. Think about their traveler intent. Are they looking for ideas, planning a trip, or ready to book? Tailor your posts to answer these questions and provide value. For example:
- Informational intent: Write posts like “Top 10 Beaches in Greece.”
- Navigational intent: Include guides such as “Best flights to Thailand.”
- Transactional intent: Add content like “How to book hotels in Canada.”
Use keyword research tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Moz Keyword Explorer to find the best keywords for each intent. This helps your content rank higher in search results and attracts more visitors.
Keeping your site updated with audience-focused content will improve your engagement and enhance your visibility in search engines.
Streamline your travel website-making today!
Creating a travel website nowadays is a must especially since most of your competitors have taken their businesses online, too. You don’t want to be behind and risk losing your customers to them. That’s why you need a website template to simplify your website-making.
Check out these travel templates that are perfect for your travel niche. These allow you to make changes to it to make it on-brand for your business with no difficulty.
Create your own visually appealing and functional travel website with Web.com website builder today!
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