MissionGuide.global intends to provide as level a playing field for all agencies as possible-those with both small and large budgets, listing from 3 trips to 30 plus trips, etc. This is one distinction that sets us apart from other listing sites and search engines by putting the searcher’s best interests/results at the forefront instead of the individual agency’s overall quantity and/or ranking, or per level of paid package.
While MissionGuide.global is not in the business of necessarily setting specific rules and limits on trips, we do offer the following as tips and tricks for better results, as well as fair and honest results for not only other listing/posting agencies, but especially keeping our mission searchers our priority.
The quicker searchers can narrow down their results and find what is the best fit for them, the better. Results flooded with too many similar trips, makes it harder for the searcher to differentiate and find the right trip for them. The following suggestions will help bring more informed, quality inquiry leads to your organization that best fits that searcher’s gifts, calling, and preferences, saving both you and the searcher time.
- If you offer trips to multiple countries: Have one general trip listing that includes all the countries and then list each as a separate trip listing where only 1 country is listed. That one all-inclusive trip description ensures that your broad information is always visible, even when all of your specific date trips have expired.
- List only countries & regions where you do ministry and training for that trip. Do not include countries/regions that participants fly or drive through only to get to your ministry site.
- If your trips are flexible/customizable use the “customizable” dates option when listing your trip. More listings do not always equal more inquiries. Some ministries post by date but having multiple same-trip offerings with a large number of dates does not always bring interest compared to good titles along with a customizable date option if you offer them year round.
- Changes in Trip Status: Update your trip listings if the trip has been filled or canceled. Please don’t add the word “full” or “Canceled” to a trip, but simply unpublish your trip. It is disappointing for searchers to see a trip no longer open in list of opportunities. If you unpublish a trip, it is saved in the control panel, and you can easily update with new trip dates and re-publish it later or use our duplicate feature for similar trips and add new information when you are offering it again. If you will not be offering it again simply delete it.
Researching MissionGuide.global searchers specifically, we found they are more likely to refine results by region/country, participant age, ministry activity, than by length of trip or specific start date.
- Accepting Individuals & Groups:
- If you accept individuals on your trips, make it clear in the description and check that applicant box if applicable:
- Indicate whether that individual will be placed by your organization onto a group/team with other groups/individuals who are on the same trip or whether the trip is truly a “solo” trip.
- Labeling a trip as “groups only” means that a pre-formed group is coming to you and will not have other groups or individuals joining their trip such as a church or school group.
- If you accept individuals on your trips, make it clear in the description and check that applicant box if applicable:
- Evangelistic Focus
- While not every aspect of a trip may include an evangelism aspect (disaster relief, fun excursions, shopping, helping animals, etc. are certainly allowed), part of your trip must have an evangelism component and should be the focus of your trip. Our website, agencies and searchers should desire to have an active part in the Great Commission.
- Special Circumstances/Restrictions
- If you typically offer a trip to a certain location, but due to health concerns/travel/safety restrictions, etc. you cannot currently offer the trip, but you feel you can in the near future you can:
- Maintain ONE customizable general placeholder trip with a statement included that you will update with details as you can. This helps build a list of interested people to contact in the future when your trip is available.
- Trip Descriptions/Titles
- We also do value experimentation with your titles and descriptions. Some words draw better than others. Some descriptions are more attractive than others. By running a regular version of the trip description and a second copy with an experimental version for a full calendar month can give you some valuable feedback.
- We understand the value of advertising or targeting a trip specifically for Spring Break or over Christmas as opposed to the summer months and we certainly welcome using keywords for a few separate trip listings like this.
- Targeting families, college groups, etc. Make sure you select/deselect the proper checkboxes for these trips however, to only include the targeted audience for best results.
- If the title mentions families, then only the family checkbox should be included so that this targeted trip does not show up in an individual’s search results.
- Well worded descriptions of your trips on MissionGuide.global often result in people coming directly to your trip description from their preferred search engine. About 20% of the people who come to MissionGuide.global enter through a specific trip description due to their search on Google or other search engines (bypassing the search filters & results).
*MissionGuide staff reserves the right to place trips on hold for further review until changes are made to fit listing criteria and/or best practices. All trips and pictures are regularly reviewed by staff . Please contact us with any questions you may have.
Other agency specific articles for tips, tricks, tutorials, & FAQ: https://missionguide.global/category/agency-articles
