New airport website is virtually stunning

(January 8, 2015) - New Year, new website - Tampa International Airport has launched a new website that includes new features, bold photography and a customized user experience that is a traveler’s one-stop resource for Tampa Airport information.

The website project began in May 2014, when the Aviation Authority board approved a contract with Miles Media, a company with expertise in developing websites for the travel industry, to design a new airport website to replace the original outdated TampaAirport.com which was designed in 1997.

 New airport website screenshot

The goal was to create a virtual landing place that would incorporate the best technology into a visually appealing layout that resulted in a visitor experience that paralleled the world-class customer service that airport guests have always enjoyed in person.

A team of Airport staff that included IT, Marketing and Communications partnered with Miles Media to bring the goal to life.

The IT department managed the project, organizing twice-weekly team meetings to keep the project on schedule and on task. They also made sure all the applications and functions unique to Tampa International Airport made the transition to the new website.

The Communications team reviewed hundreds of pages, updating content and giving the website a consistent, friendly, customer-focused voice.  

Work by the marketing department began before work even started on the website. More than a year ago, they started conducting focus groups and exercises to determine the needs of our passengers and residents. They compared that date to the best practices of airport websites worldwide and presented their findings to Miles Media.

The new website addresses the feedback they received, indicating website visitors want a more personalized message that highlights people over facilities and airplanes. 

Once we started the redesign, the marketing department continually tested our concept.  Marketing students from University of South Florida went out into the terminal with laptops and mobile devices and invited travelers to test out the site so we could make refinements based on their experience.

The final product is a website that reflects the airport’s brand and values of customer service and innovation.

Emphasis in the redesign was placed on the website’s most popular features including flight status, parking information and concessions.  No matter where you are on the website, you’re never more than a click away from the information that you need.

New features to the site include Airport Guides.  These handy guides, accessible from the homepage, assemble information on all of the amenities you need for your next visit.

Departing on a flight? Click on the Departing guide where you’ll find parking information, directions, security guidelines and links to all of the shops and restaurants in one place.

International traveler? You’ll find all the information you need on the Automated Passport Control kiosks, Duty Free Shopping and more.

The new homepage also features interaction with the airport’s social media pages and smart content to individualize the website experience for each user based on their geographic location.

And in case you haven’t heard, business is booming at TPA so we’ve expanded our Airport Business section to include more information on Sustainability Management initiatives, women- and minority owned business contracting and employment.  We are here for you, so we’ve added department contacts and posted more of the resources you need when you’re doing business with us.

The Airport recently broke ground on its Master Plan Expansion project, and the new website makes it easy to follow our progress with a central location for the latest news and information on all of the construction projects.  The page includes photos, videos and traveler tips so that travelers can stay informed on how this massive project may impact their next visit. The community can follow our projects with full transparency on progress, costs and minority contracting.

The key to the website and its enhanced visual appeal is a mobile-first responsive design that allows for easy viewing of the entire website on today’s popular devices. All of the website pages are available on your device, conveniently scaled down, without limiting information into a skeletal version of the site.  We know you’re on the go, and we’re ready to travel with you.

It’s your virtual information kiosk with visual appeal.  Visit the new TampaAirport.com today and be sure to tell us what you think!

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