Trying to Find the Right FareHarbor Websites Alternative for Your Tour Company?

FareHarbor has been a cornerstone in the tour operator industry for over a decade, providing reliable booking systems and complementary website hosting. However, their recent pricing changes have prompted many operators to reevaluate their digital strategy. Many small tour operators find it difficult to justify this level of investment. As a result, many business owners are looking for cost-effective solutions that better meet their needs.

If you’re a tour operator wondering how to move forward without overpaying for a cookie-cutter website, you’re not alone. The good news? There are affordable FareHarbor website alternatives that give you full control, improved SEO, and a custom design tailored to your business.

At Keep Simple Design, we specialize in helping tour companies transition to independent website solution that seamlessly integrate with FareHarbor’s booking platform. Our affordable solutions allow you to enjoy the advantages of FareHarbor’s booking system while maintaining an independent and flexible website. This gives you greater control over your online presence.

Why FareHarbor’s Website Pricing Changes Are Causing Concern

FareHarbor has long been recognized for its reliable booking system, making it a popular choice for tour operators. Initially, the option to bundle free website hosting with their platform was an attractive perk, especially for small businesses looking to streamline their online presence. However, their recent decision to introduce website fees starting at $5,000 per year has left many tour operators questioning whether this cost aligns with the value provided.

The Challenges of FareHarbor’s Website Model

1.Escalating Costs

While the $5,000 starting fee is already significant for many businesses, these costs can increase depending on the size and needs of your website. Combined with the 6% booking fee FareHarbor charges, the platform earns a significant amount from each transaction, adding up to substantial annual expenses for small operators.

2. Limited Design Flexibility

FareHarbor-hosted websites are often cookie-cutter in design, offering little room for customization or branding. This can make it harder for your business to stand out in a competitive market.

3.Vendor Lock-In

While FareHarbor websites are typically strong in SEO, relying on a single company for both your website and booking system can limit flexibility. If pricing or terms change, pivoting without significant disruption is harder. Having your own website allows you to maintain control while still benefiting from a robust booking system like FareHarbor.

Why Tour Operators Should Care

Your website is more than just a placeholder for your booking system—it’s the digital face of your business. An independent website solution gives you the flexibility to adapt as your business grows, maintain consistent branding, and avoid being at the mercy of unexpected changes. By investing in a solution that separates your website from your booking system, you’ll retain control over your costs and online presence while enjoying the benefits of a booking platform like FareHarbor.

How to Take Control of Your Website

If you’re feeling stuck with FareHarbor’s paid website packages, the good news is that you have options. By transitioning to a professionally managed website, you can regain control over your online presence while continuing to benefit from FareHarbor’s powerful booking system. Here’s how you can take control:

Step 1: Evaluate Your Current Website and Hosting

• Start by assessing your website’s setup: Is your domain managed through a registrar like Namecheap or GoDaddy? Ensuring access and control over your domain is an essential first step.
• What features does your website need beyond booking? Think about branding, usability, and SEO.
• Identify your goals: Do you want a site that reflects your brand, saves money, or provides more control over future updates?

Step 2: Transition to a Fully Managed Website

Moving to a professionally managed website provides the perfect balance of affordability, performance, and support. This approach ensures:

• A website tailored to your business and audience.
• Hosting and support are handled for you, so you don’t have to worry about updates, backups, or technical issues.
• The flexibility to grow your website as your business evolves.

While moving to WordPress might seem like a solution, it comes with its own drawbacks. Learn more about why WordPress isn’t always the answer.

Step 3: Seamlessly Integrate FareHarbor’s Booking System

Switching to an independent website doesn’t mean losing the benefits of FareHarbor’s booking system. We can integrate FareHarbor’s tools directly into your new website, ensuring your customers enjoy the same seamless booking experience they’re used to.

Step 4: Follow SEO Best Practices During Migration

Preserving and improving your SEO rankings is a priority during any website transition. At Keep Simple Design, we follow Google migration guidelines to ensure a smooth transition, including:

• Proper URL Redirects: Redirect old links to their new counterparts to maintain rankings and traffic.
• Metadata Transfer: Retain and optimize titles, descriptions, and key elements.
• Google Search Console Submission: We ensure your new site is indexed quickly and correctly by submitting it directly to Google Search Console.

Step 5: Invest in Ongoing Support and Management

A professionally managed website isn’t just about the launch—it’s about long-term success. Regular updates, security monitoring, and feature improvements keep your site performing at its best, allowing you to focus on growing your tour business. With Keep Simple Design, you’ll have a reliable partner to ensure your website evolves with your business.

By taking these steps, you can move away from FareHarbor paid website packages without disrupting your business or losing the benefits of their booking system. Instead, you’ll gain an affordable, managed website solution designed to work for your business today and in the future.

Why an Independent Website Is the Right Choice for Your Tour Business

Transitioning to an independent, professionally managed website doesn’t just solve the problem of rising website fees—it also sets your tour business up for long-term success. Here’s why an independent website solution is the best choice for your business:

1. Control and Ownership

When you own your website, you’re not tied to any single platform’s pricing or terms. With Keep Simple Design, your website is fully managed but remains your property, giving you the flexibility to:

• Make updates when needed.
• Add new features as your business grows.
• Ensure that your website evolves with your brand and audience.

2. Cost Savings and Value

FareHarbor’s website packages start at $5,000 annually and only go up from there. Combined with the 6% booking fee FareHarbor charges, the costs can quickly add up. In contrast, our managed website services provide a cost-effective solution:

• Affordable hosting and maintenance plans tailored to your needs.
• No surprise price hikes—just consistent, transparent pricing.
• Long-term savings with a website that’s built to grow with your business.

3. Custom Design That Reflects Your Brand

Your website is the digital face of your business, and first impressions matter. With an independent website:

• You’ll stand out from competitors with a unique, professional design.
• Your website will be designed to showcase the highlights of your tours, featuring stunning visuals and user-friendly navigation.
• Branding and messaging will be consistent across all touchpoints, helping you attract and retain more customers.

4. Seamless Integration with FareHarbor

Moving to an independent website doesn’t mean leaving FareHarbor behind. We integrate FareHarbor’s booking system directly into your new website, ensuring a seamless experience for your customers. You’ll continue to benefit from FareHarbor’s robust features while gaining the freedom and flexibility of an independently managed site.

5. A Future-Proof Solution

Technology evolves quickly, and your website needs to keep pace. With our managed services, your site will always be up to date with:

• Regular updates and security monitoring.
• Scalable features to accommodate new tours, services, or customer needs.
• Ongoing support to ensure your site remains fast, secure, and optimized.

By investing in an independent website, you’re not just solving a short-term problem but creating a foundation for long-term growth. With the freedom to control your site, the cost savings of a managed solution, and the ability to seamlessly integrate FareHarbor, your business will be set up for success today and in the future.

How Keep Simple Design Can Help

Navigating the transition from a FareHarbor-hosted website can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. At Keep Simple Design, we specialize in helping tour operators like you take control of their online presence with affordable, seamless, and effective solutions.

Your Partner in Website Solutions

We understand the unique challenges that tour businesses face. Our experience working with companies like yours means we know how to create a website that meets your needs while ensuring a smooth transition from the FareHarbor website.

What You’ll Get with Keep Simple Design

• Professional Website Design: A website tailored to your brand to stand out in the competitive tour industry.
• FareHarbor Integration: Keep using FareHarbor’s robust booking system, seamlessly integrated into your new website.
• SEO Migration Expertise: We follow Google’s migration guidelines, ensuring your rankings are preserved or improved.
• A ‘Do It For You’ Service: Our service alleviates the burden of website management.
• Reasonable Pricing, No Surprises: We believe in transparent pricing. With our service, you’ll know exactly what you’re paying for—without hidden costs.
• Personalized Support: We are dedicated to keeping your website secure, updated, and performing optimally.

Take the Next Step

Don’t let rising website package fees hold your business back. With Keep Simple Design, you’ll have a trusted partner to deliver a website that supports your goals and grows with your business.

Ready to make the switch?

Contact us today to learn how we can help you create a website tailored to your needs and built for long-term success.