A website checklist for travel advisors

Twenty questions to ask about your own site. Open it on your phone, and answer yes or no.

1. First impression

Can a stranger tell in five seconds who you serve and what trips you plan?
Is there one clear next step (call, email or request a quote) visible without scrolling?
Does it look right on a phone?

2. Trust

Is your real name and photo on it?
Do you show your certifications and memberships, such as CLIA and ASTA?
Do you say who your host agency is, if they require it?
Do you show your seller of travel registration where your state requires it? (Rules vary by state, so check yours and your host agency's requirements.)

3. Getting in touch

Does your contact form work? Send yourself a test this week.
Is your email address or phone number visible?
Do you tell people how fast you reply?

4. Content

Do you say what you specialize in?
Is there a short explanation of how working with you goes?
Is there an FAQ that answers the questions you get on every first call?
Are your photos ones you own or have the right to use? Cruise line and resort logos and photos usually have rules.

5. Findability and speed

Does each page have its own title and description?
Does the home page load in a few seconds on a phone?

6. Ownership and basics

Is your domain registered in your own name, and do you know when it renews?
Do you know who has the logins to your hosting and your site?
Is there a recent backup?
Do you have a privacy policy that covers what your contact form collects?

How did you do?

Fourteen or more yes answers means your basics are solid. Ten to thirteen means you're partway there, and a handful of small fixes would help. Fewer than ten means a few fixes could make a real difference. If you'd like a second pair of eyes, send me your link, and I'll tell you what I'd change first.

Send me your link

The seller of travel and host agency questions are prompts to check, not legal advice.