Internet Site Evaluations: The Influence of Behavioral Experience, Existing Images, and Selected Website Characteristics

A conceptual model for website evaluation in resort settings positions “resort quality as presented by the website” as the outcome measure, and consumer experience is recognized for its influence on assessment of the website characteristics.

Abstract

Abstract The purpose of this research was to develop and test a conceptual model for website evaluation in resort settings. As significant advances in transportation and information technologies have converged over the past five years, resort marketing strategies are increasingly focused on the Internet. Traditional copy testing techniques are clearly inadequate for assessing dynamic website quality, hence, the need to develop and test new models for website evaluation. The proposed model positions “resort quality as presented by the website” as the outcome measure. Key factors influencing this outcome measure include overall website quality, visual attractiveness of the website, the information content of the website and existing resort images. Overall website quality is viewed as a function of site accessibility, navigation, visual attractiveness, and information content. Finally, consumer experience is recognized for its influence on assessment of the website characteristics, supporting the importance of market segmentation on website development.