Merchant Needs Feedback

[mattg]

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ps you asked for feedback - the main image on the homepage with the coloured bars beneath (Venice/London/Berlin etc) - to get to Berlin I had to click the tab, then the pic changed, then I had to click the pic. Seems weird to me - 2 clicks where 1 would suffice (and I had to figure it out). DMMT.

[John Jupp]

Hi Matt

This is just phase 1 of a very ambitious move by Isango.

There's always been an element but what Isango is primarily concentrating on is accommodation consistent with the experiences offered, ie locally sourced accommodation conducive to that experience.

Phase 2 is to separate the .com and the .co.uk and move an affiliate program to the .co.uk with a separate program oriented to the US and Australian markets via the .com domain. Isango has a raft of geographic domains and these shall go live over the next five years. That's phase I have no idea. :drool

Anyhow, in addition I negotiated a strategic partnership which shall at some stage be progressed. A case of integration both parties, which will enable a raft of products being available from Isango and also conversely from this strategic partner (who has their own affiliate program) enabling products from both ventures being available through either party and affiliates earning on every product regardless of source.

That's the ultimate aim. A significant step and one which I know via the affiliate channel can generate huge volume in sales.

So all is hectic in Isango land right now. I am at the helm and I have been so since January 2009. It's a hard program to manage at times I do confess, mainly because I am such a dog when it comes to vetting affiliates. The number of international based ones who have tried a dirty well...I am kept busy..

However this is a vibrant firm. A pleasure to work with and it's headed up in the UK by a guy who was once in a senior marketing spot at Expedia.

[mattg]

Errr OK, lots of words there. I'll read that as 'no they are no longer positioned as a destination experiences specialist'.

On the homepage I am seeing press release links, traveller reviews and photos (presumably visitors are incentivised to add these somewhere in the site), blog link, BBC logo etc etc. It's much more a portal site than an experience specialist now I think.

With my affiliate hat on that's less attractive than it once was. Interesting strategy tho, good luck to them.

[John Jupp]

Errr OK, lots of words there. I'll read that as 'no they are no longer positioned as a destination experiences specialist'.

On the homepage I am seeing press release links, traveller reviews and photos (presumably visitors are incentivised to add these somewhere in the site), blog link, BBC logo etc etc. It's much more a portal site than an experience specialist now I think.

With my affiliate hat on that's less attractive than it once was. Interesting strategy tho, good luck to them.

The main emphasis Matt shall continue to be holiday experiences. The merchant is now looking at what complimentary activity may encompass those experiences, hence local hotels etc.

[John Jupp]

Deeplinks now sorted so please check to confirm all ok.

[millionpoundlake]

All is well now at Buttercup land.

Pleased I did'nt take the links down now.

I'll have to twitter a few experiences and see what happens.

Bob Buttercup

Isango - Book your holiday tours, trips and activities

Buttercup Holidays (bobbuttercup) on Twitter

[John Jupp]

Not all fully sorted. Now have a sales tracking issue which is being addressed.

[accelerator]

First impressions of the design are very pleasing, it's all well laid out and clear. I'd like to have the time to go through it in detail but all I can say for now is that I'm signed up on the programme and have added it to an early stage travel site of mine.

Rgds

[John Jupp]

Just an update.

Commission Junction sales order tracking was down for about 24 hours, this is now working.

Affiliate Future sales order tracking is currently down and technicians are addressing this.

Webgains sales order tracking is currently being tested as this too went down. Technicians are working to remedy this.