Small travel agents leading mobile business
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Travel agents are amongst the small businesses leading the way for internet search exposure on mobile phones and tablets, according to new research by T-Mobile.
Travel agents, cleaners and hairdressers are the best at gaining new customers through mobile search, with 64% of the industry visible through mobiles compared to the national average of 46%.
Steps companies have taken to boost their connection to mobile users include registering the business on Google Places; having a Facebook page that users can check into and having a mobile-friendly website. Mobile searches are thought to have quadrupled, with three quarters of businesses seeing benefits from mobile marketing in the last year.
“Travel agents are tackling challenges head on by taking advantage of the opportunities that mobile internet can bring to their business,” said Martin Stiven, VP business at T-Mobile. “By engaging in mobile search, these small businesses are cutting the risk of being overlooked as part of the ‘hidden High Street’ – 46% of businesses nationally are invisible on mobile searches, and they’re missing out on an increasingly important way to market themselves”.
Scroll down for T-Mobile’s mobile search success tips
The results came as a new tool to help travel agents book on-to-go was launched. Travelport announced the launch of its own mobile app for travel agents. The Travelport Mobile Agent allows agents to gain full access to the Galileo platform on their mobile phone and is available to download from the App Store. The launch comes shortly after the global launch of Travelport ViewTrip Mobile, Travelport’s mobile traveller itinerary application.
T-Mobile’s tips for mobile search success
Facebook, Google Places, mobile websites and SEO were named as the main prongs of mobile search success.
Facebook: Creating a Facebook page can be set up through its own easy-to-follow guide. tTake a look at www.facebook.com/pages/create.php
Google Places: Registering your business on Google Places means it will appear on maps when people search through Google Maps. It will also help with enquiries so make sure you sign up with a work email address for the requests to go to.
Mobile websites: Speak to your web provider or developer about getting a mobile version of your site. Keep things simple.
SEO: Search Engine Optimisation is not the only thing you should have in place, but it certainly helps. Include keywords and update content regularly. Google has tips on how to optimise your website.
