7 Worst Web Site Design Faux Pas... it's usually in the planning and strategy phase that these mistakes happen.

Think about these statistics... 98% of all mobile messages are read today. 15% to 30% of mobile ad messages convert into a response.

If you are a travel marketer and not already developing and launching mobile campaigns you are way behind the curve. Mobile marketing is a cost effective way to capture and convert consumers when used in a multi-channel advertising approach. We use them very effectively for both DMOs and hospitality clients, and now we are ramping up to include them in alignment with eMail marketing. We believe that this two pronged approach to travel advertising will be the next killer ad app in the industry.

But there are some warnings before you jump in head first. The carriers have strict rules of engagement in this space and there are many many companies not playing by the rules. It takes resources and especially capital to get in the game. Many companies today are using "shared short codes" and shared services to deliver ad hoc mobile campaigns because they cannot carry the costs on their own. Dangerous way to play if you are the client, and especially if you are risk adverse.

If you want to know more, and learn how to move into mobile marketing the right way, let me know and I will send you our newest mobile reports.

Till next time,
Leah Woolford
CEO, USDM.net
USDM.net

Last week I missed a speaking engagement at the annual DMAI conference in Atlanta. It is the first DMAI conference I have missed in 10 years, and I didn't want to. I had my speech prepared but the day before I left, I injured my foot and could not walk, so I did indeed miss the fun of seeing many colleagues that you see only once a year. My speech at these conferences is usually focused on the new emerging technologies and how they impact travel marketers. This year, the focus was Smart and Friendly Web Sites and what does that really mean. I want to point out that sometimes going back to basics makes a lot of sense, especially if a company is not even covering the basics within their program. This especially is true for web sites these days, where there seems to be more concern about small insignificant issues than the basics of content. A Smart and Friendly web site today has a menagerie of components that make it work as smart and friendly, but content is central to all issues. Content has to live on the web site, social sites, on the un-tethered web (mobile), in online advertising and in eCommunications of all kinds. If the content is technologically optimized for multiple channel distribution, if the content is branded in consistent and relevant ways, and if the content is optimized for multiple search distribution then the basics are covered. If you are missing one of these elements then go back to the drawing board. Data confirms that the Smart and Friendly Web Site approach generates business. As evidenced in USDM.net clients, like resort hotels reporting an 18 to 1 return in profits on their spend with USDM.net. Multi channel content distribution from a Smart and Friendly web site is key for eCommerce conversions today. Content is one small piece of Smart and Friendly Web Sites. If you would like to have the complete Report on the subject email me and let me know. Till next time… Leah lwoolford@usdm.net