Become a Travel Agent

Home-Based Travel Webpreneur’s
Tools of the Trade
Tom Ogg

As more and more home-based travel entrepreneurs move into the Internet looking for profits and success, the challenge of selecting the right tools for success becomes very important. Taking charge of your own web evolution offers the webpreneur the opportunity to evolve all aspects of their web presence from design of their web site to the creation of rich content, on-line brochures and books and result oriented point of purchase interfaces. Even the most novice computer user can become a webpreneur in a short period of time using the right tools.

There are really just a few programs that enable webpreneurs to accomplish all of the tasks that can make their sites professional, effective and profitable. Choosing the right tools from the start will deliver you complete independence as a webpreneur in the fastest possible time. Here is what I suggest you use.

HTML Editors

HTML editors are to building web sites, as word processors are to writing letters.  HTML editors create web sites using the same technology that you use to create letters or flyers in products like Microsoft Word or Publisher. In fact, if you already know how to use Publisher, you already know how to use an HTML editor. They are highly evolved and relatively easy-to-use. By using one of these products and a “Dummies” book, you can teach yourself to build robust web sites in just a few hours. On the NACTA Cruise Seminars people are amazed at how quickly they can build a complete web site. While there are dozens of HTML editors in any software store, these are the two that are the standard for the industry.

Microsoft FrontPage 2003

If you are using Windows XP and are comfortable using Microsoft’s XP Office Suite, than Microsoft FrontPage 2003 is for you.  It is a professional level HTML editor that you already know how to use. It features all of the Microsoft Office toolbars and functionality, so operating it seems intuitive. FrontPage 2003 is robust and capable of doing everything you have ever seen done on the web. By using FrontPage’s “wizards” you can build sophisticated web sites within 10 minutes of loading the software on your computer. While FrontPage ships with dozens of pre-designed themes that you can use for a website, simply entering “FrontPage Templates” as keywords in Google will display hundreds of designers offering FrontPage web designs that you can use.

Macromedia DreamWeaver MX

DreamWeaver is still the industry standard for professional web designers. It offers an extremely robust list of features and can do everything you have ever seen on the Internet in a user-friendly, GUI interface. It works with drop down menus in a Windows environment and is relatively easy-to-learn.

Both HTML editors have “Dummies” books available and this is the best way to learn the software. While there are dozens of other HTML editors, I would strongly suggest that you settle on one of these.

Photo Editors

In my opinion, there is only one choice and that is Adobe Photoshop CS. This is a huge tool used by professional photographers and web designers. By just using some of its lower end features, you can make any digital image look awesome. One of the most important features of Photoshop CS is its ability to compress .jpeg files without losing the image’s quality or look. Highly compressed  .jpegs add speed to your page and allow photographs to load in record time. This is a huge advantage for travel related sites that make the best use of digital images. While Photoshop CS is expensive, it is worth every penny in benefits your site.

Graphics Creation

Once again, only one product stands out. Macromedia’s Fireworks MX is the standard for web designers and developers.  Fireworks MX allows you to make professional graphics for your website in seconds and lends the final touch to making your web sites look like they were designed by a professional. Easy to use, Fireworks is a “must have tool”.

E-Brochures and E-Books

OK. Now that we are putting up quality content in a professional environment, it is time to consider the reality that we can deliver quality 4-color brochures, booklets and books over the Internet to potential clients looking for the special knowledge that we own. Creating a .pdf file is as easy as printing a document and takes just about as long. You can set yourself apart from your competition by offering a downloadable booklet or book on your specialty that will give the reader every bit of information they would need to enjoy their vacation to the maximum.

Hardware

These products work best in a Windows XP environment with today’s 2 and 3 MHz computers. To create the highest quality web site you should be sure to design it using a flat screen monitor and not an older CRT monitor. Also, be sure to have at least 512k of RAM to insure these products have enough RAM to operate smoothly. If you haven’t moved up to Windows XP, now would be the time to do so.

Here’s hoping you make a million on your web sites.

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ALL NEW!
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April, 2007 Edition
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A complete Independent Study Course for starting a home-based travel agency is now available for shipping. This is a professionally edited new book that will help you get started in record time. 

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April 2007 Edition
Available NOW!

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ALL NEW
WORKBOOK

Finally a comprehensive workbook companion to the Study Course. This workbook, start-up check list and test will make starting your own home-based travel business easy. If you plan on starting your business soon, be sure to purchase the workbook companion to the How to Start a Home Based Travel Agency Independent Sturdy Course.

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