Ben Owen from Venture Travel explains why agencies need to take online and social media presence seriously.
Here are a few simple ? and free ? steps to improve your business online.
1. Reviews: Unlike in the past where customers would just check the reviews of the hotel you recommended online, they now check the reviews on your agency out online too. This search, whether it be on Google, Facebook or any review site, could be the difference between them booking with you or not. It?s so important that you encourage customers to leave reviews on your Facebook page, Google Business page and any other review sites where potential customers might find you. It?s also important not to ignore any negative reviews on your pages as this gives the impression you don?t care, so take time to respond to all reviews on your page, whether they are good or bad.
2. Post regularly: When customers visit your social media pages, it?s important that they see regular posts and offers to keep them engaged with what you have to tell them. Not all of your social media posts have to be offers with competitions ? focus destinations and company updates are great ways to keep people engaged and talking about your business. On the other hand, it?s important not to over-post. Nobody wants to be hit with ten posts a day from your business, so schedule posts to go out a few times a week as this is definitely the happy medium.
3. Keep up to date on the latest trends: Instagram, Facebook and Twitter are constantly making changes to their platforms and it's important you keep up to date with these changes and get to know how to utilise them. Some suggestions of new features to play around with are: changing your cover photo on Facebook to a video. Here is the example from our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/UKVentureTravel. And try using Instagram stories to show off your latest deals and offers to potential customers.
