Promoting Your Business on the Internet

With the launch of the new Northwest Territories Tourism website, operators now have plenty of opportunities to establish their presence online and generate buzz for their products. After all, if more than 80% of travellers conduct online research for their vacations, with most also booking online, can you afford not to take advantage of the Internet?

Here are six quick and easy ways to promote yourself online, using the NWTT website as a key tool.

1. Make sure your NWTT website listings are up to date, including seasons of operation, contact information, and types of services you offer. Having a brief description of each service you offer (e.g., fishing vs. aurora) will help target visitors better. You can even upload up to four pictures, giving visitors that visual hook and assurance they need. (We'll put putting up a tutorial shortly to help you.)
2. Turn on your NWTT website contact form, which will allow visitors to contact you directly from your online listing. Catch them while they're interested!
3. View your listing statistics on a frequent basis. Watch for spikes and low times. This is key information for marketing and advertising your products. (This will soon be available for you upon login.)
4. Download and read our Internet Opportunities Kit and our Internet Marketing Handbook for NWT Tourism Operators kit, which are filled with hundreds of ways to promote yourself while keeping costs low, plus handy checklists, explanations, quizzes, advice on advertising, and chapters on almost every topic that distills the raw technobabble into things you actually need to know.
5. If you have one, make sure that your website as professional and up-to-date as you can make it. After all, you're competing against other worldwide long-haul destinations like Patagonia and New Zealand. If you don't have a website, you're missing out on a huge opportunities. (See the Special Offers page for a low-cost website option.)
6. Roll up your sleeves and participate online. Sign up for instant messenger services, download a voice-over-IP application (like Skype), and take part in forums where your potential customers hang out. Link to your website, provide advice, and make sure your name and expertise is out there. It's easier than it sounds, and there's little or no hard costs involved. (See the Beginner's kit for more information.)

If you need some help with promoting yourself online, contact us at NWTT and we'll be happy to get you started.