The travel industry is currently witnessing a substantial digital transformation, spurred by innovations in ecommerce platforms such as BigCommerce. In today’s digital age, a robust online presence is not merely beneficial but essential for survival and growth in the highly competitive travel sector. As of 2023, over 82% of travel bookings are made entirely online, reflecting a significant shift in consumer behaviour towards digital solutions.
BigCommerce, known for its comprehensive features such as scalability, advanced security measures, and extensive customisation options, emerges as an ideal choice for travel businesses aiming to capitalise on these trends.
BigCommerce Travel Sites
In the dynamic sphere of travel ecommerce, BigCommerce travel sites stand out as a particularly effective choice for crafting bespoke online experiences. Tailored for an industry that requires high flexibility and customisation, BigCommerce travel sites enable businesses to integrate seamlessly with existing systems, ensuring ecommerce ventures do not compromise on speed, security, or scalability.
BigCommerce’s creative strategy incorporates functions that are essential for travel websites, like a sophisticated checkout process that gives users the option to select their preferred method of payment, increasing accessibility to previously untapped customer segments. Built on an open and headless architecture, its modular design makes it simple to integrate with international airline booking engines, improving the customer experience through streamlined, effective service. The omnichannel capabilities of the platform guarantee a consistent and captivating customer experience throughout all touchpoints.
Travel websites can streamline international operations by using BigCommerce to manage various brands or geographical locations from a single interface. This, together with its enterprise-level performance and security capabilities that enable it to manage complex demands and large volumes, makes it a great option for extensive travel ecommerce operations.
With BigCommerce, travel businesses can free themselves to focus on what matters most: creating memorable journeys and seamless booking experiences that meet the high expectations of modern travellers. This focus on delivering uncompromised, customer-centric experiences makes BigCommerce a preferred platform for travel sites looking to thrive.
Optimising Digital Marketing for BigCommerce Travel Sites
Building on BigCommerce’s solid foundation and understanding its role in empowering travel businesses is crucial to build specific digital marketing strategies that can further enhance online visibility and customer engagement. Key BigCommerce features include:
Leveraging SEO for Greater Visibility
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is foundational in increasing the organic reach of your travel site. BigCommerce assists by supporting SEO-friendly URL structures, auto-generated sitemap options, and rich snippets, which are particularly beneficial for showcasing travel deals and packages.
Tips for Optimising SEO:
- Keyword Optimisation: Conduct thorough keyword research to understand what potential travellers are searching for and tailor your content accordingly.
- Local SEO: Enhance visibility in local search results by optimising for location-based keywords and listing your business in local directories.
- Mobile Optimisation: Ensure your site is mobile-friendly. 52% of all online travel-related searches are now made on mobile devices, which highlights the need for mobile optimisation.
Content Marketing to Engage and Convert
Content is a pivotal element in attracting and engaging potential customers. BigCommerce’s blog platform can be used to create compelling content that informs, inspires, and persuades your audience.
Content Ideas:
- Destination Guides: Offer in-depth guides about popular destinations, including tips on local attractions, dining, and accommodation.
- Travel Itineraries: Share detailed itineraries that help travellers maximise their experience.
- Customer Testimonials: Showcase stories and reviews from happy customers which can significantly boost trust and credibility.
Utilising Social Media to Boost Engagement
Social media platforms are invaluable for travel brands looking to expand their reach and engage with a broader audience as 4.80 billion people around the world now use social media. BigCommerce allows for seamless integration with platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest, where visual content plays a pivotal role.
Social Media Strategies:
- Visual Content: 82% of global internet traffic is driven by video content so sharing high-quality images and videos of destinations can increase your traffic and visibility.
- Live Sessions: Host live Q&As, virtual tours of destinations, and interactive sessions with travel experts.
- User-Generated Content: Encourage customers to share their travel experiences and photos using a branded hashtag.
Email Marketing for Personalised Communication
Email marketing remains one of the most effective channels for direct communication with customers. BigCommerce integrates with popular email marketing platforms, enabling you to send targeted and personalised emails based on user behaviour and preferences. Business had seen a 760% increase in earnings from segmented email marketing efforts, demonstrating the high return on investment this strategy can offer.
Email Campaign Ideas:
- Promotional Offers: Send timely promotions and exclusive deals to encourage bookings.
- Booking Reminders: Automate reminder emails for upcoming trips and last-minute travel checklist tips.
- Loyalty Programs: Develop an email series that rewards frequent travellers with special offers or points.
PPC Advertising and Retargeting
Pay-per-click (PPC) and retargeting campaigns can direct immediate traffic to new offers, deals, or announcements. With 63% of people having clicked on a Google Ad, the effectiveness of these strategies is clear. BigCommerce’s integration with Google Ads and Facebook Ads simplifies the process of setting up and tracking these campaigns, making it easier to harness their potential for immediate results.
Effective PPC Techniques:
- Targeted Ads for Destinations: Create ads tailored to specific destinations you offer, capturing the interest of those planning similar trips.
- Retargeting Campaigns: Implement retargeting to re-engage users who visited your site but didn’t book, reminding them of what they’re missing. 97% of first-time visitors exit the website without making a purchase, so retargeting campaigns are crucial for converting these potential customers.
Elevating Travel Ecommerce with Strategic Digital Transformation
With the travel industry undergoing a significant digital shift, investing in a digital transformation and a BigCommerce travel site can be invaluable. A digital transformation covers everything, from optimising operations for efficiency to improving customer engagement through cutting-edge digital strategies. Travel websites become more than just booking engines as they develop with BigCommerce; instead, they become fully functional digital experiences that are tailored to the particular requirements and objectives of the travel sector.
With BigCommerce travel sites businesses can gain a high return on investment by meeting and even surpassing the high digital expectations of today’s travellers. Travel sites can use these cutting edge tools to drive innovation, enhance passenger experiences, and achieve operational excellence. If you are looking for a travel website digital transformation or just want to know more about BigCommerce capabilities, then contact us. At Nemetos Tanasuk we are a global BigCommerce agency with over 15 years of experience implementing strategic digital transformations going beyond simple ecommerce capabilities. Get in touch to learn more, we would love to help your business achieve optimal digital maturity.
