After publishing your tour, the next step is making sure it reaches as many potential listeners as possible. A good distribution strategy helps ensure your tour is easily discoverable on the web, in app stores, and through reseller networks. The distribution tab gives you the tools you need to enhance visibility and attract more buyers. Each feature in this tab serves a specific purpose and you can read more about each of these in our documentation.
How do I access my tour’s distribution tab? #
Open the distribution tab in Mapmaker through your publisher dashboard. Scroll down to the bottom of the page, you’ll see all the tours you’ve created.
Each tour on the list includes:
- Tour Name (click to view your tour page on VoiceMap)
- Tour Status (new, published, in progress, dormant, or archived)
- Current Price (what your tour’s sold for on VoiceMap)
- Average Rating: (click to view the rating breakdown of your tour)
The second part shows either a green check mark (updated) or a grey dash (not yet updated) for the following features:
- Published
- Featured Location
- Shortlink
- Viator Listing
- Google TTD (Things to do)
An easy way to see how your tours are being distributed is to scan the Tour section for green check marks.
Under Manager Tour, you can click the “Distribution” button (for published tours) or “Edit Tour” followed by the Distribution tab (for tours in progress) to access these features.
What is on my tour’s distribution tab? #
Price #
Change your tour’s price to stay competitive in your market. When you update the price here, we’ll automatically update it across all our reseller networks. You can only change the price once every 30 days. If you are on the Pro or Premium plan and you’d like to make your tour free, please contact your editor – or send an email to [email protected].
Featured location #
Your tour’s featured location is often the first thing potential customers see when browsing the app. Choose the most engaging stop on your tour – the one that best showcases what makes your tour special. This preview helps listeners understand what they’ll experience and can significantly impact their decision to buy. Read more about how to choose a featured location here.
Short link #
Create an easy-to-remember URL that redirects to your tour page, making it simpler to share your tour across all platforms. This short link works well for social media, marketing materials, and anywhere you need a memorable way to direct people to your tour. We’ll also use this link when promoting your tour through our social media channels.
QR codes #
Generate a unique QR code that takes listeners directly to a specific place on your tour. If you charge for your tour, listeners can preview the first three locations and the featured location for free, while free tours allow access to all audio content without installation. These QR codes can be placed in brochures, on signage, or in marketing materials to create additional entry points for potential listeners. Read more about the different options and how to generate QR codes here.
Google Things to Do #
Link your tour’s locations to Google Things to Do to make your tour more visible on both Google Search and Google Maps. This integration helps travelers find your tour when they’re researching landmarks or actively exploring your area. When someone searches for a landmark on your route, your tour can appear as a suggested experience, creating a natural pathway for discovery. Follow the steps to add your tour to Google Things to Do here.
Viator listing #
Adding your tour to Viator connects you with a massive audience of travel planners actively looking for experiences. Submit up to ten landmarks from your route and twelve high-quality photos, and we’ll handle the rest of the process. Your tour will appear on both Viator and TripAdvisor, significantly expanding your tour’s reach and potential sales. You’ll find more information on adding your tour to our reseller networks here.
Temporary notices #
Routes sometimes face unavoidable disruptions like roadworks, renovations, or special events that might affect the listener’s experience. The temporary notices feature lets you communicate these changes and specify when notices should appear and disappear. Being proactive helps manage expectations and prevents negative reviews during disruptions. It’s a simple way to maintain quality even when circumstances are less than ideal.
Making the most of distribution #
To give your tour the best chance of success:
- Choose a featured location that captures attention and showcases your tour’s unique value
- Add your tour’s landmarks to Google Things to Do to improve searchability
- Submit your tour for a Viator listing to tap into their massive customer base
Remember, each feature in the distribution tab helps potential customers find and buy your tour in different ways. The more thoroughly you complete each section, the more opportunities you create for people to discover your tour.