Step 1: Define what you’re selling (clearly)

Online selling works when customers can quickly understand what they’re buying. Before you touch software, write down:

• Tour name, duration, and key highlights
• Start point / meeting point (and pickup rules if you offer them)
• Inclusions and exclusions
• Accessibility notes (stairs, terrain, fitness expectations)
• Weather and minimum numbers (if applicable)

Tip: if customers ask the same question twice, your product description is missing something.

Step 2: Choose your booking model

Most tour operators fall into one of these:

• Fixed departures: e.g., 9:00am and 2:00pm daily with capacity limits
• Private tours: customers book a time slot (or request a time)
• Seasonal departures: different schedules peak vs off-peak

Pick the simplest model that matches how you actually operate. Complexity kills conversion and creates mistakes.

Step 3: Build schedules and capacity rules

This is where operators often lose time. The goal is to avoid manual availability tracking.

• Create departures (days + times)
• Set capacity per departure (seats/spots)
• Add blackout dates (maintenance, private charters, special events)
• Set buffers between departures (loading/unloading time)

If you run mixed services (e.g., shuttle + tours), keep scheduling consistent so staff don’t need to “translate” systems.

Step 4: Set pricing that matches customer intent

Don’t just copy competitors. Online pricing should make the decision easy:

• Core price: adult/child/concession (only if it helps)
• Group rules: group discounts or private options (if you actually deliver them)
• Upsells: add-ons that customers understand (photos, premium seating, extras)

Keep it tight: too many price options reduces conversion.

Step 5: Write cancellation and refund policies for real life

Policies prevent disputes. A good online policy is:

• Simple enough to read in 10 seconds
• Displayed at checkout
• Aligned to how you operate (weather, minimum numbers, late arrivals)

Example structure: “Free changes up to X hours. Refunds up to Y hours. No-shows not refundable.”

Step 6: Enable payments and issue tickets automatically

If you want to sell tours online properly, customers need immediate confirmation.

• Online payment at checkout
• Confirmation email (and SMS if you use it)
• QR tickets for check-in / validation
• Passenger list (manifest) for staff

This reduces “Did you get my booking?” support messages and speeds up operations.

Step 7: Publish a booking link and remove friction

Your booking link should be obvious on:

• Your website header (“Book now”)
• Your Google Business Profile
• Your social profiles
• Your email signature

Make the booking flow mobile-first. Most people discover tours on phones.

Step 8: Drive your first 50 direct bookings

Start with channels you already have:

• Email past customers with a direct-booking offer
• Partner with hotels and accommodation providers (give them a simple link)
• Run a “locals” or shoulder-season offer to fill departures
• Ask every satisfied customer to book direct next time

Do not rely on “posting on social media” alone; you need distribution (partners + email + Google presence).

Step 9: Track the metrics that matter

• Conversion rate: visitors → bookings
• Abandoned checkouts: how many start and don’t finish
• Refund rate: policy clarity and operational reliability
• Direct vs OTA share: dependency risk

Improve one thing at a time: schedule clarity, pricing simplicity, or policy clarity.

Fastest path: use AddTransit

AddTransit is designed to help tour operators go live with:

• Tour scheduling + capacity
• Online booking + payments
• QR ticketing + validation
• Operational views for staff

See tour operator features | Tour pricing | Onboarding guide

Want done-for-you? Setup-as-a-Service can get you live quickly.