The Surf Travel Company Web Site and Content Management System

Launch Site

Client Introduction

The Surf Travel Company is a global leader in surf trips to exotic destinations including Indonesia, Mentawais, Maldives, Fiji, Samoa, and Australia.

Project Overview

Switch I.T. was contracted by the Surf Travel Company to develop a complete online strategy for the organisation. This would include the complete redevelopment of the existing web site as well as an aggressive email campaign strategy to coincide with the new STC image and destinations around the world. The key aims of the new web site included:

• Improve the User Experience
  The new web site features a more intuitive navigation structure allowing user to easily jump to any destination from any page on the web site.
  
  
• Develop a Simple Enquiry Mechanism
  The old web site featured a large, complex form for prospective customers to complete to enquire about a destination or package. The new web site provides a simple enquiry form, where users can express interest in a destination/tour without providing much information to STC. This simple mechanism for establishing an initial relationship with potential customers makes it much easier to convert a sale.
  
  
• Provide More Comprehensive Information
  Switch I.T.'s initial analysis highlighted the fact that to make an effective decision on a surfing destination, a customer needed to know as much information about the destination as possible.
  
  

Every Surf Travel destination now features the following information:

• Surfer Reviews and a Surf Break Photo Gallery
• Maps, Weather and Swell Information
• Photo Galleries of all Yachts and Resorts
• Passport and Visa Requirements
• What to Pack
• Other Activities Available
• A direct link to an enquiry form for that destination/package

As well as the improvements mentioned above, the entire web site was built on Switch I.T.'s SwitchBack Content Management System architecture. The Surf Travel Company staff can now maintain all areas of the web site in-house with only 1 hours training required. This includes maintaining all destination information, any current specials, surfer reviews and links to related web sites.

The web site was also integrated into Switch I.T.'s email campaign management facility allowing Surf Travel Company staff to compose attractive email campaigns in the browser, distribute their campaigns to a chosen demographic of subscribers and then track the effectiveness of each campaign in real time. HTML email templates consistent with the branding of the web site were also integrated into the system.

What the client said...

"Nothing but high praise for the team at Switch I.T. From our initial meeting through to the launch of our web site, Switch I.T. were the most professional and approachable I.T. company that we had ever worked with. Nothing that we wanted was impossible and every kind of request was delivered, not to mention the highly professional design of the website that was delivered to us.

Since the launch of the site, Switch I.T. have proved invaluable with comments, ideas and services provided and not only does our site look great, but the Content Management System for our web site and our email campaign management system has proved invaluable to the staff here at STC. We would recommend Switch I.T. to any organisation without hesitation!"

Michelle Evans
Manager, The Surf Travel Company

Technologies
Client Side	HTML, DHTML, JavaScript
Server Side	C#, XML
Database	SQL Server 2000
Platform/OS	IIS, Windows 2000
Switch I.T. Components
Content Management	SwitchBack CMS
Email	Email Campaign Management System