Trip Categories on the Booking Portal
We’ve added the ability to create custom trip categories on your booking portal. Whether you offer multiple sizes of rentals or a selection of similar tours, customers can now easily find the perfect trip by browsing organized categories, simplifying their booking process. Check out our help article to learn how to set up categories.
Pictures of Equipment on the Cart Page
Showcase your equipment at the final point of sale! When customers add an item to their cart they now see an image of the selected rental or tour. This visual cue helps build excitement and reinforces their booking choice, leading to higher conversion rates.
Trip-Specific Wherewolf QR Code Integration
We’ve made check-ins faster and easier with our new Wherewolf QR code integration. Each waiver has a unique QR code, allowing guests to easily fill out their specific waivers onsite. This keeps the waiver matched to the order and improves efficiency.
Pricing Displayed on Schedule Times
Make pricing more transparent and convenient. Customers can now view prices directly alongside available trip times when booking. This added clarity helps them make faster decisions, reducing hesitation and abandoned bookings.
If you have any questions or need assistance with these new features, our support team is here for you! Reach out to us at [email protected] or visit our Help Center for detailed tutorials and FAQs.
Thank you for being a valued part of the WaveRez community. We’re excited to continue supporting your success in the watersport industry!
Due to that need there is a growing shift from traditional communication methods like email to more immediate and personal channels like text messaging. Using a platform like Waverez makes it simple to leverage text communication and significantly improve customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.
Consumers today are inundated with emails, leading to lower engagement rates and delayed responses. Text messaging, on the other hand, offers a direct and personal way to connect with customers. Consider these statistics:
For companies in the tour and rental sectors, the ability to communicate swiftly and effectively can make or break a booking. Here’s why text messaging should be a key part of your communication strategy:
As the tour and rental industries continue to evolve, businesses that embrace text communication will stand out by providing a more responsive and customer-friendly experience. Integrating text messaging into your reservation process is not just an option—it's a necessity to stay competitive and meet the expectations of today’s consumers.
WaveRez makes adopting text communication easy and automated so your business can ensure that customers feel connected and informed every step of the way, leading to higher satisfaction and increased bookings.
In the simplest terms, conversion rate refers to the percentage of website visitors who complete a desired action. For businesses in the tour and rental industry, this action is typically making a booking or reservation. The formula to calculate conversion rate is straightforward:
For example, if 1000 people visit your website and 50 of them make a booking, your conversion rate would be 5%.
WaveRez’s newly developed Booking Portal saw the average conversion rate increase from 4% to 7%.
A 4% to 7% increase in conversion rate might seem modest at first glance, but it's a significant leap in the world of online bookings. Here's why:
In the online booking landscape for tours and rentals, conversion rate is a key indicator of your website and reservation system’s effectiveness.. Focusing on improving conversion rate not only enhances your bottom line but also provides a richer understanding of your customers. A seemingly small increase from 4% to 7% can make a big difference, propelling your business forward in an increasingly competitive market.
So, keep a close eye on this vital metric and continually seek ways to improve it — your future self will thank you!
Ready to optimize your conversion rate and see real results? Read our full blog post here to learn how a small increase can make a big difference for your business!
WaveRez, the leading online reservation software for watersport and boat tour operators, is thrilled to announce its strategic partnership with Take My Boat Test, an online boaters course that issues licenses upon completion. This collaboration aims to promote boater safety and compliance with Florida regulations while offering rental operators a lucrative affiliate program.
In Florida, renters born after January 1st, 1988, are required to pass the Florida Boaters test to legally operate a vessel. The affordable online test, priced at $13.97, can be conveniently purchased at TakeMyBestTest.com. Take My Boat Test has introduced an affiliate program exclusively for Florida rental operators, allowing them to earn an industry leading $5 referral fee for each completed test.
Greg Fisher, CEO of WaveRez, expresses his excitement about the partnership, stating, "We have been anticipating this launch for several months. Kevin O'neil and his team have built an amazing test that incentivizes rental operators to prioritize boater safety for their renters. We've made it very simple to implement on WaveRez to get the highest adoption rates."
Rental operators in Florida, utilizing the affiliate program, have the potential to generate significant commissions. For instance, a rental operator with 10 boats, averaging 2,000 rentals annually, could generate $4,000 per year in ancillary revenue. The affiliate program is free to sign up, and operators can seamlessly integrate it into their online booking platforms.
Affiliate operators simply need to add their unique affiliate link to their website, confirmation emails, and text messages. The tracking of sessions is facilitated through cookies until the order is completed. Payouts for commissions are processed on a monthly basis.
To maximize conversion, operators can include a compelling message in the confirmation text, emphasizing the importance of taking the online Florida Boaters Course for all individuals born on or after Jan 1st, 1988. The message provides a direct link to the course and outlines its affordability and quick completion time.
WaveRez and Take My Boat Test are dedicated to fostering a culture of safety and compliance within the boating community, offering operators an easy and profitable way to contribute to this shared goal.
As we step into 2024, the dynamic landscape of marketing continues to evolve, demanding a strategic approach to stay ahead of the competition. Despite the lingering economic uncertainty for the upcoming year, there are numerous opportunities available to foster the growth of your business. In this article, we'll delve into five cutting-edge marketing strategies that can give your business the edge it needs for success in the year ahead.
While Google remains a powerhouse in online searches, it's crucial to diversify your customer acquisition channels in 2024. Rising acquisition costs and increased competition on both organic and paid channels have prompted operators to look elsewhere for customers. Explore emerging platforms, social media networks, and industry-specific forums to tap into new audiences. Reach new customers in 2024 with these platforms:
Elevate your offerings by tailoring experiences and add-ons that resonate with a higher-income audience. Conduct market research to understand the preferences and desires of this demographic, then align your products or services accordingly. During an economic slowdown, higher income travelers are less price sensitive, and are more willing to pay for private experiences.
Affluent travelers favor personalized tours for their exclusive and unique offerings, including luxurious and customized accommodations, access to VIP experiences, and flexible itineraries that align with their preferences. The presence of expert guides and personal concierge services ensures a seamless and stress-free experience, while a focus on cultural immersion and authentic activities caters to their desire for meaningful travel.
If you find it difficult to offer customized tours due to size of your vessel, consider offering add-ons to customize the experience. Some ideas include meet and greets with the captain, photo packages, priority boarding, and trip protection. With WaveRez, you can easily add additional options to your trips for a seamless customer experience.
Your existing customer base is a goldmine for potential business. Implement personalized outreach campaigns to reconnect with previous customers. Leverage email marketing, social media, or even direct communication to remind them of your value proposition. Your reservation system likely has thousands of customer emails that are not utilized. Put them to work! Establishing ongoing relationships with past clients can lead to repeat business and valuable word-of-mouth referrals.
In the fast-paced world of marketing, efficiency is key. Implement automation tools to streamline customer communication. From email campaigns to social media posts, automation can help you stay consistent in your messaging and engagement. Consider checking out programs such as Conversion Assist that can integrate with your reservation software for seamless communication.
WaveRez provides various automation features, including but not limited to review solicitation emails, bulk SMS, and pre-arrival emails. By automating routine tasks, you free up time for strategic planning and creative initiatives that drive business growth.
Not all marketing channels deliver the same results. Analyze your past campaigns to identify the highest-performing channels that resonate with your target audience. Allocate a significant portion of your marketing budget to these channels to maximize ROI. Whether it's social media advertising, content marketing, or influencer partnerships, prioritize the platforms that consistently yield the best results for your business.
As we navigate the evolving marketing landscape in 2024, staying ahead requires a proactive and adaptive approach. By looking beyond conventional strategies, embracing automation, and refining your targeting, your business can not only survive but thrive in the competitive market. Implement these five marketing strategies to ensure success and position your brand for sustained growth in the coming year.
Chargebacks can be a significant headache for watersport operators, causing financial losses and operational disruptions. Chargebacks occur when a customer disputes a credit card transaction, resulting in a refund of the purchase amount. While some chargebacks are legitimate, many can be prevented with proactive measures. Here are five brilliant ways to prevent chargebacks and protect your watersport business.
Security cameras are invaluable tools for preventing chargebacks and resolving disputes. By installing cameras at key locations around your watersport facility, you can record all customer interactions and activities. In the event of a chargeback dispute, you can provide visual evidence to support your case.
Capture video footage of the customer participating in the watersport activity. This can serve as evidence that the service was provided as described.
If a customer claims equipment was damaged or unsafe, review the footage to determine if the complaint is valid. Having evidence of well-maintained equipment can protect your business.
Ensure that the person using the credit card matches the cardholder. If a chargeback claim arises from unauthorized use, you can prove the cardholder was present.
Modern booking software should offer the option to store customers' IP addresses when they make reservations or payments. IP data can be valuable for preventing chargebacks because it provides an additional layer of verification.
IP data can be used to verify the customer's location at the time of booking. This can help detect suspicious transactions, especially if the customer's IP address doesn't match the billing address on the credit card.
Analyze IP data for suspicious patterns, such as multiple bookings from the same IP address within a short period. This can be a red flag for potential fraud.
WaveRez users that use Stripe will be able to access the IP data for their customers. Stripe also includes tools that automatically recognize patterns of fraudulent activity, which will flag and deny the transaction.
Work closely with your credit card processor to implement anti-fraud measures. Many processors offer fraud detection services that can help identify and prevent chargebacks before they occur. These measures may include:
AVS checks the billing address provided by the customer against the address on file with the credit card issuer. A mismatch can trigger additional scrutiny.
This adds an extra layer of security to online transactions by requiring customers to enter a one-time code sent to their mobile device or email.
Monitor the frequency of transactions from the same card or account. Unusual activity can trigger alerts for potential fraud.
WaveRez uses Stripe as its payment processor and gateway, which utilizes advanced fraud protection features.
For large group bookings or reservations that are significantly higher than your average transaction, consider implementing a re-confirmation process. Contact the customer a few days before the scheduled activity to confirm the reservation details. This can help prevent misunderstandings, no-shows, and subsequent chargebacks due to disputes over the reservation.
WaveRez users can go directly to their daily manifest for the next day to review all their reservations over the threshold they set. The phone numbers should be readily accessible to quickly make calls.
Keep a record of all email and text message communication with customers. This documentation can serve as evidence in case of a chargeback dispute. Make sure to include important information such as booking details, cancellation policies, and any special instructions.
Additionally, use email and text messaging to confirm reservations, provide receipts, and offer customer support. Clear and consistent communication can help prevent misunderstandings and reduce the likelihood of chargebacks.
WaveRez users can view a log of customer activity including a timestamp of when they received their text and email confirmations. There is also the ability to confirm whether they have opened up the email. This information can be useful in not only preventing, but defending against chargebacks.
In conclusion, chargebacks can be a significant challenge for watersport operators, but by implementing these five brilliant strategies, you can reduce the risk of chargebacks and protect your business. Remember that prevention is key, and a proactive approach to fraud prevention can save you time, money, and headaches in the long run.
Let the WaveRez team save you time and money by developing a plan to prevent and defend against chargebacks. Not a customer yet? Sign up for a free demo and see why watersport operators are switching to WaveRez!