Travelsupermarket.com will be redesigned in early-2008 and changes made to its payment system, moving from a solely cost-per-click model to include cost-per-acquisition for partners. The redesign will follow a usability exercise currently being carried out on the meta search site and will be the first time since the site’s launch in 2003 that major changes…
TravelSupermarket set for redesign and overhaul of partner strategy
Travelsupermarket.com will be redesigned in early-2008 and changes made to its payment system, moving from a solely cost-per-click model to include cost-per-acquisition for partners.
The redesign will follow a usability exercise currently being carried out on the meta search site and will be the first time since the site’s launch in 2003 that major changes have been made to its look and feel.
One of the key drivers for the redesign is to allow more content from suppliers to be added to the site, managing director Chris Nixon told Travolution.
Like many of its rivals in the meta search-price comparison sector, Travelsupermarket currently receives payment from suppliers such as airlines, hotels, package holiday providers and car hire companies each time it send users to a site.
Nixon said talks are currently underway with a number of partners to introduce the inclusion of a cost-per-acquisition system, which will see suppliers having the option to pay only when a booking is made on their site.
A hybrid CPA-CPC system has already been introduced to parts of the Moneysupermarket group.
“2008 is about improving the consumer experience and the quality of leads for our partners”, Nixon said.
“We will be doing that by improving in the core product and by adding more content, so that our suppliers and users benefit.”
“The new system will retain a CPC rate but will introduce a commission element aimed at incentivising both parties to work together to improve look-to-book rates.”
Meanwhile, deals contained in the site’s weekly bulletin to 320,000 users are to be added to the main site.
Top deals manager Jen Dubasov said: “The addition of the newsletter to the site is great news for visitors and Top Deal partners.
“With the increased exposure of the deals, we anticipate a considerable increase in conversion rates for partners included in the newsletter.”
