A small division within Microsoft launched the online travel booking site Expedia.com in 1996. The main goal back then was to offer the consumer a new way to research and book their travel independently.
Nowadays, Expedia is among the top leaders Website Supplier – Expedia in online travel, with a notable portfolio of leading travel brands like Hotels.com, Trivago, Hotwire and many more.
Table of Contents
1 Website Supplier – Expedia
2 E-Business Models
2.1 Revenue Model
2.1.1 Advertising Revenue Model
2.1.2 Transaction Fee Revenue Model
2.1.3 Affiliated Revenue Model
3 Questionnaire
3.1 Design and Content
3.2 Navigation
3.3 Customer Relationship and Trust
3.4 Added Value for Customers
3.5 Booking process
3.6 Hygiene and Motivational Factors of the Website
Research Objectives and Core Topics
The primary goal of this work is to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the online travel booking platform Expedia.com, analyzing its e-business model, user interface design, and functional effectiveness from a customer-centric perspective.
- Analysis of Expedia's e-business revenue models (advertising, transaction fees, and affiliation).
- Evaluation of website usability, including navigation, design, and content structure.
- Assessment of trust-building elements and customer relationship management features.
- Examination of the booking process efficiency and added value for the user.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 Design and Content
The overall look and feel of the website is very well and the layout is appealing for website visitors. In the header, you can find a booking form for flights and it directly leads to a number of hotels at a certain destination. Furthermore, it is possible to rent a car, book a train ticket or combine all those services. The layout is clearly structured and well designed. Points of criticism are that below the booking form, many advertisements pop up and there is too much information displayed regarding flights, hotels and holidays. From our point of view, this information is only necessary for people that are is interested in a specific hotel or destination.
The layout supports both, the experienced as well as the inexperienced internet user because of the header that contains the most important services like booking a flight or a hotel. Moreover, it is possible to book something only with one click. When you are searching for special hotels or destinations, you will find all reviews and recommendations of previous guests that is a big advantage to form an opinion and to make the right decision.
Furthermore, all pictures are provided in a high quality. Unfortunately, the picture on the homepage is hidden because of the booking form. From our point of view it would be more advantageous to show more appealing pictures from different destination to attract more customers and to speak with them on an emotional level. All pictures support the content but there is no video on the website.
Summary of Chapters
1 Website Supplier – Expedia: This chapter provides an overview of Expedia's history, its market position as a leading travel brand, and its operational scale including global reach and key growth drivers.
2 E-Business Models: This section explains the theoretical components of e-business and details the specific revenue models employed by Expedia, including advertising, transaction fees, and affiliate marketing.
3 Questionnaire: This chapter presents a systematic evaluation of Expedia’s website based on criteria such as design, navigation, trust factors, added value, and the booking process, supported by qualitative analysis.
Keywords
Expedia, E-Business, Revenue Model, Website Evaluation, Online Travel, User Experience, Navigation, Booking Process, Customer Trust, Affiliate Marketing, Tourism Management, Digital Strategy, Usability, Transaction Fees, Online Booking
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this document?
The document focuses on the evaluation of the online travel agency Expedia.com, examining its business structure and the usability of its web platform.
What are the central thematic areas?
The study covers e-business models, website design, user navigation, customer relationship management, and the functional efficiency of the booking process.
What is the primary objective of this study?
The objective is to critically assess how effectively Expedia.com serves its users by analyzing its platform features, revenue strategies, and general website performance.
Which methodology is applied?
The author uses a structured evaluation method (questionnaire) with defined criteria to rate various website aspects on a scale from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent).
What is discussed in the main section?
The main section evaluates specific categories such as design, navigation, trust, and booking functionality, providing both numeric ratings and qualitative insights.
Which keywords define this work?
Key terms include E-Business, Website Evaluation, Expedia, Online Travel, Revenue Models, and Customer Experience.
How does Expedia generate revenue according to the analysis?
Expedia utilizes a mix of revenue models including advertising, charging transaction fees for platform use, and leveraging an affiliate network to earn commissions.
What specific usability issues does the author identify?
The author notes that while the site is well-structured, some elements—like social media links and contact details—are hidden in the sitemap, making them difficult to access.
What is the author's conclusion regarding mobile optimization?
While the website is optimized for mobile devices, the author points out that the content is significantly reduced compared to the desktop version, which may limit the user experience.
How is the booking process rated?
The booking process is rated as excellent (5.0), as it provides real-time availability, clear cancellation terms, and intuitive transaction steps.
- Quote paper
- Maria Priller (Author), 2017, Website Evaluation by the Example of Expedia, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/493794
