The Most Popular Content on Our Website in 2019
By Hank Schrader, USMA ’71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert
Happy 2020!
With the dawn of 2020, I’d like to share with you what we have learned about our website visitors--what is the most popular content on our website and why is it our most popular content.
In many ways, the content on our website is just what we hoped it would be—we want to provide outstanding information to you to help you make the best possible travel decisions that match your travel style. This is a constant process of updating and improving the content.
As with any website, the home page or landing site is where folks first go to decide if they want to continue on to other content.
So, I thought you’d like to know what pages are the most visited on our website after the home page.
How to Evaluate the Quality of our Website Content
Quality of information can be assessed by answering 5 questions, in my opinion. They are:
Is the information accurate?
Who are the authors and what are their credentials?
How objective is the source?
How current is the information?
How extensive is the coverage of information?
So, let’s look at 4 of these aspects for each of our 5 most popular web pages—I hope you will accept our credentials—mine are listed at the end of every blog—trust me, we are the real deal.
If applicable, I will try to provide you a ranking by Google for our website pages. The value of this in our digital age is that somewhere between 71%--92% of all searches for information only go to the first page of Google (source Forbes website blog post by Kelly Shelton) —usually only 10 listings, excluding Ads, are on page one—and folks do not search for information after that (this first page compared to later pages)—only about 6% go past page one. The whole idea of a page one ranking is that Google recognizes the content that a website page or blog offers is both quality information and is a source that users trust.
Our #1 Visited Page after the Landing Page—Our River Cruise Comparisons Page
This is not a surprise to me but it is also very gratifying—folks are looking for an honest comparison of Europe River Cruise Companies. The information is very accurate and researched thoroughly. It is also reasonably current but could stand a little tweaking—for example Crystal only has 4 cruise ships sailing. in Europe instead of 5 ships It always ranks on page one of Google.
I’m going to make a bold declaration here—there is no other detailed source like our 2018-19 Europe River Cruise Company Comparisons with multiple comparison charts on the internet. Here is the link
Yes, there are some good books, even charts with check marks and comparisons of 2 cruise lines on the web, but nothing as in-depth as our resource. We clearly identify fact from opinion, we are not sponsored by anyone that might influence our work, and we strive for totally accurate information. We are proud of our first page Google ranking—earned not promoted by clever SEO techniques.
#2 Our Europe River Cruise Routes Guide Page
Again, for me, not a surprise, but it validates the need for folks to understand the options available to them for a Europe River Cruise. We rank #12 in Google search results—this is a pretty good indication of the quality of the information. We would like to be on page one, but the folks ahead of us are 4 river cruise companies, Cruise Critic, and 5 magazine/travel guides (Travel & Leisure; Jetsetter; Trip Savvy; Frommer’s and Afar) are so big, it may be the best we can do—we are the only small (2 person) company anywhere near the top. Not bad company considering the companies ahead of us, in my opinion
The importance of this page is clear to me--river cruising is about the destinations and what you will get to see and experience on your European river cruise. This page will help you quickly learn about the major routes available to you and to help you decide which might be best for your vacation.
Here is the link:
# 3 Europe River Cruises Page
It makes sense to me that the logical progression would be to read more about European River cruises after visiting the previous 2 pages. This is the next step in search for a great river cruise vacation.
Here is the link to this page
#4 Our Blog
Folks who are considering a Europe River cruise vacation, want in depth information about what the vacation really is all about and whether or not it will be a worthwhile vacation for them. We cover Best Value Travel, Europe Destinations, Europe River Cruising, Ocean Cruising and Veterans Travel & Tributes.
Here is the link to our Blog page
# Our 5 Best River Cruise Blogs
This is my selection of our best river cruise blogs. We rank on page one of Google in a search for river cruise blogs—currently at #2.
Here is the link to this blog
My Final Thoughts
So, what does this mean for you—we are a really good source of great travel information, especially for our specialty, Europe River cruises.
We are travel experts, ocean and river cruise experts, and Europe destination experts. We have first-hand knowledge of almost anywhere you want to visit in Europe. We know our products and the vendors who sell them to you. We have designed special tours for dozens of clients, led several and will continue to find just the right vacation that will exceed your expectations. As you can see, our full service agency can get you to almost anywhere you desire to travel and provide you a great experience and vacation.
When you are spending your hard earned money for a vacation, you want an advisor who can match you with the right trip. You want someone who will understand your expectations and fuel your anticipation (or excitement) to get you the best possible trip experience.
Whatever your Dream Destinations are, we are here to help you get the best possible vacation based on what is important to you! We will provide you high quality, expertly planned travel. Please give me a call 713-397-0188 (Hank) or email me at hschrader@dreamdestinations.com. We want to help you: Savor life…make memories…Visit Dream Destinations! Your journey begins here!
HANK is a certified Western European Destination Specialist (DS) who has been traveling to Europe for 48+ years. He is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC), conferred by the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA). This recognized expert in cruise and leisure travel is a retired Army Officer, and taught World Geography for 8 years. He is a `71 graduate of West Point and has earned 2 master’s degrees. His other Certifications:
AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist
Viking River Cruise Specialist
Scenic River Cruise Specialist
Emerald Waterways Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Brit Agent
