If you are a Travel Agent, it may be a good idea to become familiar with online marketing solutions in order to compete for online business.  Consumers have become comfortable with purchasing, searching and comparing travel prices online. To expect them to do anything different may not be wise; at least not in the near future.

Preparing for Hi-Tech Marketing:

The first task would be to develop an SEO web site. (keyword: seo) It does not have to be fancy. It has to be functional and have good content.

The second task would be building a client e-mail database. This is one of the most important steps to your online marketing program. Once you can contact your clients using e-mail, at the click of a mouse, you are on your way to real online marketing. (Always check your spelling) You will need a privacy policy (keyword: privacy policy) and a web based e-mail marketing service. This will cost around $10 to $25.00, starting out.

Your third task might be, witting travel articles, to be distributed online (free) to web content sites. This is the single most important online marketing task.  Target each article to a specific destination with specific accommodations.  Learn more.

Your next step, before contracting to get your own online booking engine would be to advertise online. One excellent method is to "buy traffic" to help build up your ranking. You can purchase target traffic for as little as $10.00 per month. (keyword: buy traffic) Provide a "sign-up" on your web site for a monthly newsletter or more information.

It may not be a good idea to expect first time visitors to purchase travel on their first or second visit unless, they are existing clients. Give new clients time to get to know and trust you. Do not be intimidated by the mega online travel sites. If you have done your homework, then you realize which wholesale travel suppliers they are using and you can use a different one.

Another excellent free online marketing tool is to use well know classified ad sites, such as LiveDeal, Craigslist, Backpage and a new, travel only, classified site, Classifieds 360 at http://www.travel360degrees.com/cgi-bin/classified/classified.cgi Post your travel deals, Now, for Free

This article was provided by Cassandra Ingraham the webmaster and Internet Marketing Specialist for Classifieds 360 at: http://www.travel360degrees.com/cgi-bin/classified/classified.cgi  For more detailed information on Tools for Do It Yourself Internet Marketing visit:  http://www.taxeswilltravel.com/report.htm