Before booking an experience, travelers research destinations, activities, and reviews online. So, it makes sense that you would want your business to appear where they’re searching, whether on Google, travel blogs, or social media. By strengthening your SEO and digital marketing strategy, you can capture the attention of early planners, drive more traffic to your website, and ultimately convert more visitors into bookings. Here’s how to ensure your adventure business stands out during the research phase.
Table of Contents
Part One: Optimizing SEO for the Research Phase
1. Optimize for Search Intent (SEO Basics)
Travelers often start their planning by searching for activities, destinations, and experiences. To appear in their search results, you need to optimize your website content.
- Use relevant long-tail keywords like:
- “Best adventure tours in [destination]”
- “Family-friendly outdoor activities in [destination]”
- “Ziplining near me”
- Optimize title tags, meta descriptions, and image alt text with these keywords.
- Create location-based content (e.g., “Top 10 Things to Do in [Your Area]”).
2. Write Blog Content That Answers Traveler Questions
Early planners are researching activities, so provide content that helps them decide.
Examples of blog topics:
- “How to Plan the Perfect Weekend Getaway in [Destination]”
- “What to Pack for a Whitewater Rafting Trip”
- “Best Times of Year to Visit [Your Destination] for Outdoor Adventure”
- Include internal links to your booking pages within the blog.
- Add customer testimonials or videos to increase trust.
3. Improve Your Google My Business & Google Reviews
Many travelers check Google reviews before booking.
- Claim and optimize your Google My Business listing with updated photos, services, and descriptions.
- Encourage guests to leave reviews by sending a post-trip follow-up email with a direct review link.
- Respond to reviews (both positive and negative) to show engagement.
4. Leverage Social Media & Influencers
- Post engaging short-form videos (Reels, TikTok) showing your activities in action.
- Partner with travel bloggers or local influencers to showcase your experiences.
- Use Facebook & Instagram ads targeting people researching travel in your area.
5. Run Retargeting Ads for Potential Guests
Many travelers visit your website but don’t book immediately. To remind them, retarget ads on Facebook, Instagram, and Google.
Example: If someone views your zipline tour page but doesn’t book, later show them an ad with the message, “Still planning your trip? Book your adventure today!”
Part Two: Ensure a Seamless Online Booking Process to Capture Early Planners
1. Offer Easy, Mobile-Friendly Booking
Many travelers book on their phones. If your booking process is clunky, they’ll leave.
- Use a mobile-optimized booking system.
- Minimize form fields—only ask for essential info.
- Allow guest checkout (don’t force account creation).
What does Flybook offer:
Flybook's online booking system is crafted to be web- and mobile-friendly, prioritizing your brand and website experience. Utilizing a hover-over iframe provides a seamless experience for your guests, whether offering a single option, a package, or a bundle. Since 2006, Flybook has been perfecting our booking process to enhance conversions. Our checkout process leads guests through payment first, then collects essential trip details like waivers, group split payments, or activity-related questions, managed through a dedicated client portal. This approach gives you the best chance to convert visitors quickly, and if that doesn't succeed, a cart recapture feature can be activated to ensure every visitor has the highest chance of becoming a guest.
2. Highlight Availability & Urgency
Early planners want to secure spots, but they also respond to urgency.
- Show real-time availability (e.g., “Only 3 spots left for this tour!”).
- Use limited-time offers for early bookings (e.g., “Book before [date] and get 10% off”).
What does Flybook offer:
Flybook is crafted to seamlessly integrate complex business offerings, providing precise, real-time availability for all aspects of your operations, from staff management and scheduling to resources like bikes, vehicles, boats, and equipment. With numerous factors influencing your business, maximizing bookings without overbooking is crucial, and Flybook ensures this balance is maintained. Additionally, you can effortlessly create and sell gift cards, gift certificates, promotions, discounts, packages, and bundles, simplifying the process of offering limited-time deals.
3. Allow Flexible Payment Options
- Offer partial deposits instead of full payment upfront.
- Enable Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) options.
What does Flybook offer:
Flybook offers the flexibility your customers desire, from allowing partial deposits at booking to accepting various payment methods, such as Apple Pay and Google Pay.
4. Send Automated Email & SMS Reminders
Once someone books, keep them engaged.
- Send an instant confirmation email with the itinerary.
- Schedule a reminder email 3-7 days before the trip with what to bring, weather updates, and FAQs.
- Offer an upsell opportunity (e.g., “Want to make your adventure even better? Upgrade to premium gear for $10”).
What does Flybook offer:
Using the Flybooks reservation platform, you can design a range of automated emails for confirmations, reminders, promotions, and more with customizable templates. The internal SMS features also allow you to reach your guests using their preferred communication method.
5. Enable Easy Rescheduling & Cancellation
Early planners appreciate flexibility.
- Allow online rescheduling instead of requiring a phone call.
- Offer a clear refund policy (consider travel credits instead of full refunds).
What does Flybook offer:
Flybook aims to provide your customers with maximum flexibility while maintaining your control. By offering self-service trip modifications and cancellations and multiple ways to acknowledge the cancellation policy, we support you and ensure your guests are well taken care of.
Conclusion
By improving SEO, content, and ads, you can reach travelers when they’re researching. A seamless booking process ensures they follow through on reservations early. Would you like help implementing these strategies?
Looking to Manage More and Grow? The Flybook Reservation Software Can Help.
