So, are you looking to create a travel website this year?
Well, the projected number of international tourists for 2024 is a substantial 1.53 billion, a noteworthy increase from the previous year.
The industry’s contribution to the global GDP in 2023 was 10.6%. Looking ahead, there’s an optimistic year-to-year growth forecast of over 17.24% in 2024.
So, the business of travel and tourism is flourishing like never before.
As per Statista, by 2024, the revenue of global tourism is estimated to reach US$927.30bn and is projected to grow annually at a rate of 3.47%, resulting in a market volume of US$1,063.00bn by 2028.
So, are you planning to launch your travel booking website without the hassle of hiring web designers and coding?
Creating a travel website without coding can be accomplished using in-build CMS like WordPress integrating travel plugin that offers whatever functionality you want.
Here’s a simplified guide in 6 steps to create a travel booking website.
Steps to Create a Travel Booking Website
1. Find the Best CMS:
Choose a platform that aligns with your requirements in the travel industry. Commonly chosen alternatives of CMS include WordPress, Squarespace, and Weebly.
These platforms provide user-friendly interfaces and templates that facilitate the creation of websites without the need for technical skills.
It will be better to prefer WordPress which helps you to create your fully functional travel website without coding.
2. Sign Up and Choose a Domain:
Sign up for an account on your chosen platform and select a domain name for your travel website. Your domain should be easy to remember and relevant to your travel niche. Several domain registrars are in the market like Namecheap, Godaddy, Ionos, Domain.com, etc.
3. Sign Up and Choose the Best Web Hosting Service:
Sign up for an account on your chosen web hosting service for your travel website.
When your travel website starts getting tractions and visitors, the lower bandwidth and hosting capacity can potentially trigger false alarms to your business.
So, prepare the plan first and buy the best hosting plans as per your requirements. Several hosting registrars in the market like Hostinger, Siteground, Bluehost, etc.
4. Integrate Readymade Travel plugin:
Gone are the days when we needed to hire expensive web developers to design the travel website consuming weeks and months.
But, do not worry, you can create a fully functional, elegant design and SEO-friendly travel booking website in minutes using the best WordPress travel plugin: WP Travel plugin.
To access all the premium features to create a travel booking website, you can get WP Travel Pro to reap all the benefits of the premium plan.
5. Choose a Beautiful Travel Theme:
You can explore and experiment with the best travel agency themes and templates to find the one that perfectly aligns with your website.
This way, you can seamlessly ensure your website suits your needs and preferences. Some of the beautiful travel themes are Travel Log, Travel Joy, Travel Escape etc.
6. Customize Your Website:
You can customize your travel booking website through the WordPress theme itself.
Add your logo, choose colors that match your brand, and customize the layout to suit your preferences, modify fonts, images, and other elements without coding.
By following the above steps, you can create a travel website that looks professional without writing a single line of code.
Features of a successful travel booking website
The following are the features of a successful travel booking website:
1. Intuitive User Interface:
A successful travel booking website welcomes users with a clean, intuitive interface that makes navigation user-friendly.
Starting from the homepage to the booking process of your dream trips, every single step should be designed with the user in mind.
For instance, the clear call-to-action buttons, well-organized menus, and visually appealing layouts help to enhance the user experience and encourage exploration.
2. Secure Booking and Payment Procedure:
Due to the massive increase in online fraud, security is a top priority when it comes to online transactions, especially for travel bookings involving personal and financial information like credit cards.
A successful travel booking website needs to implement robust security measures to protect users’ data and offer a secure payment gateway for transactions and also local payment gateways as well as far as possible.
3. Comprehensive Search Functionality:
Well, travelers often have specific preferences and requirements when planning their trips.
The precise search functionality makes it possible to filter results based on criteria such as dates, destination, budget, accommodation type, etc for users.
When the advanced search options are provided on the landing page of the travel website, it makes it easy to find options that match their preferences which is possible by choosing the right tour operator software.
4. Up-to-date Information:
Trust is the most influential factor in the travel industry, and providing accurate and up-to-date information is essential for building credibility with users.
From flight schedules and hotel availability to pricing and booking conditions, all information should be accurate, reliable, and regularly updated to avoid any discrepancies or disappointments to users.
5. Adaptable Layout for Mobile-Friendly Experience:
As per Backlinko, the number of smartphone users in 2024 has grown huge with substantial users of 4.88 billion worldwide.
So, with the increasing use of smartphones and tablets, it is very important for travel booking websites to be optimized for mobile devices.
A responsive design ensures that the website adapts seamlessly to various screen sizes and devices, providing a consistent user experience across desktops, laptops, smartphones, and tablets without any issues.
6. Integration of User Reviews and Ratings:
Social proof is the major contributor to building the trust and confidence of the users.
So, Peer reviews and ratings play a significant role in travelers’ decision-making process, whether to book the trip or not. We all do it, don’t we?
That’s why, integrating user-generated reviews and ratings in the form of text or videos for accommodations, airlines, and activities provides valuable insights and helps users make informed choices.
7. Seamless Integration with External Services:
Integration of a travel website with external services such as weather forecasts, travel guides, transportation options, mapping tools, and travel insurance providers enhances the functionality of the travel website and enriches the user experience.
Seamless integration helps users access additional information and services without leaving the booking platform to create the best website design.
8. Multi-language and Multi-currency Support:
So, travelers come from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds, making multi-language and multi-currency support essential features for global accessibility.
Providing content in multiple languages and supporting transactions in various currencies ensures inclusivity and facilitates bookings from around the world.
9. 24/7 Customer Support:
No business can sustain itself until and unless the users benefit from top-notch customer support.
Travel plans can change or encounter unexpected challenges at any time, necessitating reliable customer support.
So, offering round-the-clock assistance through multiple channels such as live chat with support experts, email, and phone ensures that users can seek help whenever they need it.
