Tourism Website Best Practices for the Garden Route
George and the Garden Route thrive on tourism. Here's how accommodation, activity, and tour businesses should approach their websites.
The Garden Route is one of South Africa's premier tourist destinations. From Mossel Bay to Storms River, thousands of businesses depend on tourism. Your website is often the first touchpoint for international and domestic visitors planning their trip.
What tourism visitors need from your website:
1. Stunning visuals High-quality photos and videos of your property, activity, or experience. Stock photos won't cut it — travelers want to see the real thing.
2. Instant booking or enquiry Make it effortless to book or ask a question. Prominent "Book Now" buttons, integrated booking systems, or simple WhatsApp enquiry links.
3. Location and directions Embedded Google Maps, driving directions from major airports (George, Cape Town, PE), and nearby attractions.
4. Pricing transparency Don't hide your prices. Visitors compare multiple options — if they can't see your rates, they'll go with someone who shows theirs.
5. Reviews and testimonials Embed TripAdvisor reviews, Google reviews, or customer testimonials. Social proof is the biggest conversion factor in tourism.
6. Multi-language considerations If you attract international visitors, at minimum ensure your English is polished. Consider adding German, Dutch, or French translations for key content.
7. Mobile experience Travelers research on their phones while on the road. Your site must work perfectly on mobile with easy-to-tap buttons and fast loading.
8. Seasonal content Update your site for seasons. Whale watching season? Update your hero image. Festive season specials? Feature them prominently.
SEO for tourism:
Target phrases like: - "accommodation George Western Cape" - "things to do Garden Route" - "adventure activities Knysna" - "self-catering Wilderness"
Create content around these topics and you'll attract organic search traffic year-round.
Our tourism experience:
We've built websites for businesses across the Garden Route. We understand the seasonal nature of tourism and build sites that convert visitors into bookings.
Ready to attract more tourists? Let's build a site that showcases your Garden Route experience.
Ready to build a website that works for your business?
We design and develop conversion-first websites for businesses in George, Western Cape and the Garden Route.