We'll spare you the over-quoted Shakespeare line and get right to it: Names carry a lot of weight, especially when it comes to business. But picking the right one can be frustrating and cause hair loss.

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Plus, there's more to it than whipping up something creative or witty and calling it a day. A name can significantly impact the long-term success of a company, which is why it's important to understand what separates the golden eggs from the duds. Before pulling the trigger and ordering a year's worth of business cards, here are nine tips on how to pick a great name for your tour, activity or rental business:

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1. Make It Stand Out, or "Stick"

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“Stickiness” is a term experts use to measure how memorable a business name is. If your tour, activity or rental venue is located in an area with a healthy tourism economy, standing out from the pack is inarguably one of your biggest ongoing challenges. When brainstorming, think beyond titles that simply tack your name onto the beginning (for example, "Annie's Tours") or could easily be confused with a competing business.

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‍Tip: The better a business name sounds out loud, the easier it is to remember. Bonus points for alliteration!

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We're already getting ahead of ourselves, though. First, do some serious reconnaissance and get a lay of the competitive landscape. You don’t want to face the repercussions, legal and otherwise, of being the second Dan’s Camping Rental in town. On top of this, think about how your name can differentiate your brand from similar nearby businesses. According to Entrepreneur Magazine, 90 percent of businesses choose names that sound the same as their competitors. Don't make that same mistake!

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2. Use Online Tools

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Before settling into some serious spitballing, check to see if a domain and/or social media handles already exist for any of your favorite candidates. This will eliminate potential names before you plunge into the brainstorming process. Here are two things to keep in mind:

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.com is King

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It's best to stick with a .com domain name. Why? It's what people are used to, and keeping with the status quo (in this case) is an indicator of the credibility of your business. A .com name is easy to remember and eliminates the guessing game, so get creative and exhaust all your options before considering the alternatives.

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‍Tip: Even if you do get the .com name you were hoping for, it's smart to buy up a few other generic top-level domains as well if they're available (namely, .org, .net, .info and .biz). Conduct an instant domain search with Domainr to see what's available and what's taken.

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Get a Handle on the Social Media Situation

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Ideally, your social media handles will match or closely match the name of your business. If you're in love with a certain name, but most of the related social media handles are taken, maybe go back to the drawing board. Remember: It's all about making your business easy to search and discover online.

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3. Keep It Simple

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Know your target audience when formulating a business name, and aim for something that's easily shared, looked up, or found via voice recognition through intelligent assistants like Siri, Alexa, Cortana or Google Now. Shoot for a title that doesn't require a lot of guesswork when it comes to spelling or pronunciation, and is memory-friendly (meaning, no acronyms, no puns with awkward or misleading spelling, and nothing too long). Also, it can't hurt to start with a letter that puts your business at the front of alphabetical listings.

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Another preemptive measure that will save you some serious copywriting strife? Think about where your business name will have to fit. If you haven't experienced the singular joy that is cramming a bunch of important details into an email subject line, a 144-character tweet, an advertisement, or any other type of promotional marketing material where space is limited, trust us: Future you will thank present you for picking a product name that's not overly complicated.

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Aim for a name that's easily shared, looked up, and remembered

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4. Be Careful With Quirk

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Don't get us wrong—we love a little wordplay and alliteration. But while you may be excited by the prospect of using a buzzy, made-up word for your business, it’s probably best to be more straightforward within the tour, rental, and activity industry. Be careful with puns, too, as they don’t always translate well in other languages. If you are considering the whimsical, punny, or alternative spelling route, ask yourself: "Would this appear on a TV sitcom parodying Silicon Valley companies with ridiculous names? Would it appear on a Business Insider list of company names with hilarious double meanings?" If the answer is yes for either, maybe think it over a little more.

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‍However...we also want to throw this out there: None of the tips in this article are absolute, so keep that in mind and don't be discouraged by general guidelines that put a damper on your brilliant idea. For example: Take one of our clients, KitTea Cat Cafe in San Francisco. Sure, it's a quirky pun, but it's very fitting, fun to say out loud, super memorable (sticky!), and gives you an idea right off the bat as to what the business is about: A cat cafe with tea! Every business is unique, and there's no one-size-fits-all equation to coming up with the perfect name.

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5. Consider SEO

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What is SEO again, you ask? (Hey, this is a judgement-free zone). Search engine optimization (SEO) is the practice of taking certain steps to help your website show up higher on the search engine web page (a.k.a. Google). One of the best ways to get your business to rank high in organic search is to give it a unique name that sets it apart from similar businesses. We like these practical tips from CEO Phillip Davis of Tungsten Branding:

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• Avoid acronyms and initials ("ABC Party Rentals)

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• Avoid superlatives ("Premier Tahoe Tours")

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• Google your name choices to see how many results are returned. If the results number in the tens of thousands, think again.

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• Don't worry about building a business name around keywords. For example, if you want your business to rank high for the keyword phrase, "Awesome Kayak Rentals," you don't want your name to be awesomekayakrentals.com.

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• Ideally, your brand name will also be your domain name (or they'll be very similar)

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6. Make Sure it Makes Sense for Your Business

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When it comes to naming your company, make sure it actually works for your business. Can someone looking for the services you provide ascertain as much from hearing your business name? If not, you may need to rethink it.

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7. Take a Cue From the Big Guys

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Entrepreneur and startup advisor Peter Gasca cites the 5-10 Rule, which postures that many successful companies in recent history have five to 10 letters in their name; at least one hard consonant; and (often) repeating lettering: For example—Google, Apple, Exxon, Yahoo, Starbucks, FedEx, Amazon and Hasbro, to name a few.

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‍However...we know that comparing tour, activity and rental businesses to tech giants like Starbucks or Google is an apple-to-oranges scenario. It's not exactly easy (or logical) to cut "Bayou Boat Tours" or "Crème De La Crème Culinary Classes" down to 10 words. We do agree, however, that simplicity, uniqueness, and memorability are great qualities to aim for when coming up with a name.

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8. Consider the Future

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You don’t want to limit yourself with a name, so choosing one with a specific place or product may not be the best choice. Be hopeful/mindful of your future goals, and consider picking something that allows for expansion and growth. At the very least, apply this advice when selecting a web domain.

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For example, let’s say a business named Peddling Pete’s Bike Tours opens in Hudson, New York, with the domain www.peddlingpetesbiketourshudson.com. Down the line they may want to expand, and open multiple locations throughout the upstate New York area—leaving them with a name and domain that are no longer reflective of their broader business model.

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9. Reach Out for Feedback

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OK! So you’ve come up with a few solid options and it’s time to test them out. Take whatever you’ve been working on and put it in front of your closest, most trusted advisers. Potential customers, investors, collaborators, and co-workers are all excellent sources when looking for a second (or third or fourth) opinion. A fresh set of eyes always bears the potential of bringing new insight, and can draw attention to things you might have otherwise totally missed.Taking all these factors into consideration can pay off when it comes to brand recognition, long-term growth, and making your business easy to find online. But at the end of the day, it's your call to make, so go with your gut. Your business is your baby, after all!

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Read about Dylan's Tours and how they became one of the largest operators in San Francisco

Do you offer Rentals? We have great news: our iOS app for Rentals is now ready for you to download!Here is a quick breakdown of some of the features available for rentals on the iOS App:

Do essential tasks…

Edit booking details of your customers, check in guests, sign waivers, AND cancel or refund bookings.

Add rental bookings in a few easy taps with Peek Checkout POS.

Peek Checkout was designed to give you a Point of Sales for customers wanting to rent equipment. It syncs automatically with your Peek Pro account, so you get real time availability.It also connects with your advanced pricing rules, so you can be confident you are always charging your customers the right amount.This means you’re able to process walk-ups and manage your inventory simultaneously.Integrated credit card swipers, receipt printers, and cash drawers means you can capture walk-up bookings faster than ever. You can even create shortcuts to make bookings easier and to keep you organized!Learn more about how to use Peek Checkout for Rentals here.

Easily view your rentals schedule and manifest.

Your schedule has different viewing options to let you see how many pieces of equipment will be in use in a specified time range. Alternatively, simplify your view and choose to only display periods of time which have existing bookings.Your mobile manifest also allows you to easily manage your business on the go. How? Organize your daily schedule into a list of upcoming activities. You can also customize it to show only the info that's relevant to you. For example, specific guides or times of the day.Learn more about your rentals schedule on our app here and more about the mobile manifest here.We know that the ability to manage your rentals from your pocket means you can save time running your business and increase your bookings. We are so excited to be able to provide our Partners with this new functionality.

You're not alone if the thought of making changes, such as implementing an online booking system, seems overwhelming. But streamlining businesses operations can mean more freedom and revenue, and it could be the best thing you do for your business this year.From stand-up paddle boards, to camping gear, to electric scooters, to handmade cake stands, we've worked with a vast variety rental businesses to get them running—and making more money—with an online booking system. Here are some common concerns we've seen from business owners who are hesitant to take the leap, and why it's important to push past those perceived roadblocks.

1. What I Offer Is Too Complex

Challenge accepted! Don't underestimate the power of technology and the options available to you. Nowadays, there are some great systems out there when it comes to online booking software. For example, a platform like Peek Pro can take all the curveballs you throw at it, including...

• Setting up complex pricing and availability structures
• Real-time equipment tracking
• Taking rentals offline for repairs, or blocking off days when they're not available
• Credit card pre-authorizations for security deposits
• Bundles during the checkout flow
• Maximizing revenue while avoiding over-bookings
• Customized questions that customers are required to read and respond to during the checkout flow
• And a lot more.

Tip: Another good business practice to consider? Simplify your offerings. Too many choices leads to indecision in consumers, and sometimes, providing too many different rentals could actually be working against you. Whether you're switching online booking systems or starting fresh, use this as an opportunity to re-evaluate how your tours, activities and/or rentals could be packaged for more profit.

2. I've Always Done Things By Hand – It's What I'm Used To

“If the way you want your business to run is mostly stored inside your head, that means you’re the only one who can ‘do it right.’”Doing things by hand can give you a false sense of control. If the way you want your business to run is mostly stored inside your head, that means you're the only one who can "do it right." It also makes training new staffers a pain, because there are no repeatable processes or systems in place to ensure a consistent customer experience.Tip: If you're planning on selling the business one day, remember: It's not a business unless it runs when you're not there. Who wants to buy a "business" if you are the business?

It's not a business unless it runs when you're not there

3. I Like Talking Directly To People, And I Don't Want To Lose That Human Connection

If maintaining that personal connection from the get-go is important to you, perfect! With Peek Pro, you can opt to accept pending bookings online, but still require a phone call to verbally seal the deal and confirm the reservation.

4. I Have An Online Contact Form, So That Counts—Right?

An online form is a step in the right direction, but if you're not accepting payment and scheduling online, it doesn't help much in the ways of (1) time management, (2) a consistent customer experience, and (3) automated processes to help you do more with less staff.

5. We Rely On A Lot Of Walk-Ins And Phone Calls For Business, So Doing Business Online Isn't Really Necessary

Adopting an online booking system for your rental activity business doesn't mean you're going to neglect walk-ins and phone reservations. But here's what it does mean:

• It's going to create an even better experience for walk-ins. With an online booking system, you can quickly check-in walkups on the spot, accept payments from anywhere, and look at a real-time calendar to see what availability looks like—all from your smartphone, iPad or laptop.
• You'll also scoop up additional customers who prefer to book online and not over the phone. You're simply opening up one more channel of convenience in which to serve your guests.
• It can free up more of your time.

6. I'm Worried About The Cost Of An Online Booking System

The right activity rental booking and management platform will more than pay for itself each month by allowing you to generate additional business, minimize mistakes, and free up staff time. It may cost more up front, but will save (and generate) more revenue in the long run.

7. Our Competition Doesn't Do It, So We Don't Need To Bother

Whooaaa, Nelly—this is all the more reason for you to accept online scheduling and payments! If the competition doesn't offer online booking and you do, you're way more likely to scoop up people who are browsing online, especially if your booking system delivers a clear and easy checkout flow. Take this as an opportunity to set your business apart from the rest! Taking bookings online is a lot easier than you think these days, so don't let that hold you back. Invest in technology that simplifies business operations, delivers a great customer experience, and sets your company up for growth and success.

So you've jumped on the escape room bandwagon. You're ready to lock yourself in and throw away the key (so to speak). You love the concept, and want to pursue it as a business opportunity. You’re not alone!In fact, from the outset of 2010, the number of permanent escape rooms sites worldwide has gone from zero to 2,670. And the successful operations do quite well—one particular room in Dallas generates monthly revenues of $70,000 (although any experienced escape room operator will tell you, success only comes with a truckload of hard work, long hours, and growing pains).“For some people, the thought of doing a lot of research and writing a 15+-page document causes horrifying flashbacks of being in school, so this is a good test of your resolve...remember that this is a critical step, and you have to complete it before you can do anything else.”— Heist Escape PartyOriginally modeled after the puzzle rooms in role playing video games, this entertainment phenomenon will continue to face new challenges as the industry grows—regulations, for example, and increased competition from big-budget franchises and virtual escape rooms (the new kids on the block). One thing is clear, though: Live-scenario games are a hot trend, and skyrocketing in popularity. From corporate teams, to bachelor/bachelorette parties, to family reunions, to casual group date nights, the audience is broad, and the demand is promising.But first things first: If you're really serious about doing it right, putting together a detailed business plan is utterly necessary. Even with plenty of startup capital, this exercise goes far beyond having documentation to show potential investors. A great business plan allows you to visualize how your business will operate before it goes live; aligns partners on objectives; fills in gaps you may have otherwise missed; raises critical questions; and much more. Not sure where to start? Here are a few options to help get you started:

1. Purchase Templates Specifically Created for Escape Rooms

The resources here aren’t particularly bountiful, given the relative infancy of the industry, but pre-made, for-sale templates do exist. Black Box Business Plans provides tailored business plans for a couple dozen models, including escape rooms. They also offer optional add-on features such as Excel SureCash if you need help calculating finances, or a pitch deck and helpful guidelines for raising capital if you plan on working with investors. Alternatively, for one lump sum, business management and consulting firm E.C. & Associates provides a comprehensive escape room business plan package "written at a doctoral level and investor-ready."

2. Take Advantage of Free Tools and Templates

If you feel as though you can work with something less tailored to escape rooms, there's a number of generalized templates and tools on the Internet (the time consuming part is choosing which one to use). SCORE is a nonprofit “dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow, and achieve their goals through education and mentorship,” and they offer a comprehensive generic template. Getting in touch with them will connect you with professionals who are eager to help you plan your business. The U.S. Small Business Administration also provides a helpful free template tool.

3. Work With a Consultant or Professional Business Plan Writing Service

Platforms like Thumbtack and Upwork help connect you with contractors and freelancers who specialize in the service you're looking for, such as business plan writing and consulting.Don't hedge your bets if you plan on working with a consultant. As venture coach Stever Robbins advises, “If you really want to hire a consultant, keep in mind that it often pays to spend extra to get the very best. When you're paying for someone's knowledge, you want assurance that what the person has to offer is high-quality.” When working with freelancers, make sure to ink a written agreement detailing the deliverables, timetable and payment schedule.Professional business plan writing services give you a polished and investor-ready product in a shorter amount of time. Consider comparing quotes from platforms like MasterPlans vs. Thumbtack and Upwork.You can also seek out a professional business plan writing service. Companies like MasterPlans, AcePlans or LivePlan match you with a hand-picked team or individual to bring your business plan to fruition. Think of it as hiring a consultant—without having to go through the vetting process yourself. LivePlan and AcePlans also promise added incentives such as graphic design work and a money-back guarantee. While it will probably cost more out of pocket, outsourcing the assembly of your escape room business plan will produce a highly polished product in a relatively short period of time—something to consider if you plan on pitching to investors.

Professional business plan writing services give you a polished and investor-ready product in a shorter amount of time

4. Or...Dig in and DIY!

Putting together your own escape room business plan from scratch isn't as overwhelming as it sounds. In fact, taking the DIY route (and doing it right) will give you an intrinsic handle on your own roadmap. You'll know the game plan like the back of your hand—and, as a result—might get more out of it.While there's no single correct way to write a business plan, there is universal consensus on the importance the following items:

• Have several versions of your business plan, each tailored for specific audiences, depending on who is going to be using it and looking at it.
• Your plan is a living document: Review it frequently, and compare it against what actually happened. Revise accordingly.
• Be realistic about financial estimates and projections
• Cite your sources. Business plans include market research and projections. Be sure to attribute the source of your information so as to maintain the credibility of your plan.
• Think about presentation: If you don't like looking at it, chances are you're not going to actually use it, and investors aren't going to be impressed either. Remember to take formatting into consideration. Make your business plan nice to look at, easy to digest and read.

Ready to take a stab at putting together your own escape room business plan? Here are six core components to include:

• Executive Summary: This is a brief, overarching synopsis of your business plan. While it will be the first thing to follow your title page, you may want to save writing your summary for last, when every detail about your escape room is still swirling in your head. This is your first impression, so make it count.
• Business Description: Here you’ll include a short description of your industry as a whole, including new developments and outlook. As escape rooms are relatively new as a business model, you will be talking about recent and instantaneous growth in popularity.
• Market Strategies: Here’s where a trip to MarketWatch and some light statistical analysis comes in handy. This is where you define your target market and detail how you plan on finding growth within your designated market.
• Competitive Analysis: This is the space where you analyze your business competition. This can mean other escape room businesses or other activity operations in your area.
• Operations and Management Plan: This section will cover the day-to-day aspects of your escape plan business, where it’s located, and the people and equipment you’ll need to run it, and everything nitty gritty.
• Financial Factors: Normally tucked in the back of a business plan, this section is paramount when showing your business plan to investors. Here you’ll include your personal finances, project expenses, and anticipated cash flow.

TIP: When working on the operations and management component of your plan, don't forget that choosing the right online booking solution is critical so the success of your escape room. An online booking system like Peek Pro lets you view upcoming reservations, run revenue reports, manage automated email communications with your customers and room masters, accept bookings 24/7, and a whole lot more.

Industry leaders are predicting an estimated 25% of campgrounds and RV parks will change ownership in the next five years. If selling is part of your retirement plan—or you're entertaining the possibility for the future—taking certain actions now can help maximize the return on your investment when it's time to cash in.Embracing modern technology like the hotel and airline industry is a quick and affordable way to stay relevant, and up the value of your business. Even if you don't plan on selling in the next several years, having the right technical tools now will capture more data. And the more data you have, the more your park will be worth. Don't wait until the last minute!Here are seven ways to increase the value of your campground, RV park or vacation cabins, and fetch top dollar when you're ready to sell:

1. Capture the Next Generation of Travelers: Millennials

“If an RV park doesn’t have online reservations on its website, I just go to the next one.”— Laura, millennial RVer from Travel Explore UncoverCamping has become more popular than ever over the last decade, especially with one particular age group: Of the more than 1 million households in North America that started camping last year, 44 percent were millennials. And if we know one thing about this demographic born between 1977 and 1995, they love technology like raccoons love unsecured groceries at campsites. The vast majority, or 90 percent of millennials, reserve travel experiences online.“Millennial travelers demand instant gratification, accuracy in booking and one-stop shopping, all from their handheld device. These digital natives also compare their travel booking experience to all their other tech experiences with expectations aligned accordingly...They want the speed and convenience of an online purchase. ”— RV BusinessAs a result of this trend, more and more campgrounds and RV parks are appealing to tech-savvy travelers by investing in mobile booking, complimentary WiFi, and satellite TV.

How:

Keep your business competitive and on-par with industry trends by implementing an intuitive, mobile-friendly reservation system.

2. Increase Reservations

Mobile reservations for RV parks surged by 150% in 2013-2014 alone, according to the National Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds. By giving visitors the option to reserve online 24/7, you'll scoop up more guests who want to make plans on their own time, whether it's on the road or on the trail. If you don't offer at-a-glance calendaring and real-time availability on your website—but the competition down the road does—there's a good chance you're missing out on business. And remember: The more reservations you have, the higher your business is going to be valued at. Tip: If maintaining that personal connection from the get-go is important to you, perfect! With an online booking system like Peek Pro, you can opt to accept pending reservations online, but still require a phone call to verbally seal the deal and confirm the reservation before the credit is used.

How:

Give visitors the option to reserve online 24/7.

3. Open Up New Revenue Streams: Equipment Add-Ons & More

When it comes to campgrounds, RV parks and/or cabins, there's a forest of possibilities for opening up new revenue streams!

How:

ADD-ONS & RENTALSAnother interesting tidbit: 52 percent of campers between the ages of 18 and 34 years did online research to buy items for their camping trip before purchasing the items in-store, according to a preparation and purchase report by the Outdoor Foundation. Your takeaway? Not everyone is a Bear Grylls type, or has the space to store sleeping cots and Coleman stoves. If you're already offering rentals or operate an onsite general store, step up your game (and profits!) by up-selling campers when they're reserving online.With a system like Peek Pro, you could sell a wide array of add-ons or rentals (folding chairs, air mattresses, extra roasting forks, lanterns, tents, etc.) directly in the checkout flow, and have those items ready for pickup when folks check in. Rather than making an extra stop at REI or Target, guests enjoy the convenience of a one-stop shopping experience, and you reap the benefits.SEASONAL EVENTSDo you host seasonal events like luaus, bbq's or guided full moon hikes that require pre-registration? A great online reservation system should let you manage all of the above from a single platform: Bookings, rentals and events.FLEXIBLE PRICINGWith an online reservation system, you can easily set dynamic pricing schemes that automatically increase when demand is high (weekends, holidays, popular sites) and decrease during times of year when demand is low.

4. Boost Your Brand and Professional Appearance

Let's talk about the all-important website: As the public "face" of your company, it's the first impression people get. Why not make it a great one? Having a built-in reservation system—one that's intuitive and delivers an easy user experience—enhances the appearance of your website, and thus increases the perceived value of your park. It also sends a visible message to potential buyers that you're business-savvy, customer-oriented, and invested in technology that adds value to your operation.

How:

Give your website some love! It should be user-friendly and easy to navigate, have an aesthetic that reflects your brand, and have a built-in reservation system with a user-friendly checkout flow for guests.

Your website is the public face of your company, use it to make a good first impression

5. Reduce Operational Expenses

The more your park profits, the higher price it's going to fetch.

How:

An online reservation system reduces operational costs, which is the quickest and easiest way to boost profits.

• It saves time and reduces mistakes by automating reservations, communication and payments
• It reduces the need for extra staff, and/or frees up staff to be more productive in other important areas
• It keeps all your data in one place, allowing you to easily run reports and learn where to increase/decrease prices
• It lets you maintain that personal connection with guests, while saving time on day-to-day tasks
• It saves you money on credit card processing fees
• It lets you accept reservations 24/7 on your website, so you don’t have to staff the phone for long periods of time
• A good online booking system has an intuitive user interface, meaning less time to train new staffers

6. Make it Easy for Buyers to Say "YES"

“If you’re planning on selling the business one day, remember: It’s not a business unless it runs when you’re not there. Who wants to buy a ‘business’ if you are the business?”If the way you want your business to run is mostly stored inside your head, that means you're the only one who can "do it right." It also makes training new staffers a pain, because there are no repeatable processes or systems in place to ensure a consistent customer experience. A smooth transition is important for prospective buyers who want hit the ground running, and the right online reservation software plays a critical role—especially if you offer rentals and activities in addition to lodging.

How:

Standardize and streamline business operations with one online booking system used by the entire staff. From automated email communication, to managing staff schedules, to taking reservations, to checking people in, an online reservation system lets you do it all under one platform. If you offer rentals and activities in addition to lodging, make sure to choose a software lets you easily manage all three.

7. Most Importantly: Make it Easy to Prove the Value of Your Park

When it's time to sell, having all of your finances and years of data digitally streamlined under a single platform will (1) make it easier to access, gather and organize important information, and (2) validate the worth of your campground or RV park. Shabam.

How:

Have an online reservation system that rolls up all of your data into digital reports that are easy to access, understand, and share.*****Whether you're preparing to uproot for another adventure, or cashing in and cruising towards retirement, getting top dollar for your investment takes some foresight. An online reservation system can increase revenue, reduce costs, streamline operations, and provide financial visibility; all factors that could significantly increase the sale value of your campground or RV park. It's also easy, affordable and quick to implement—get set up in just a few days!Be proactive now, and be a happy camper later.

Unless it's a hilarious kitchen apron, or an electronic Chewbacca mask, our general attitude towards one-size-fits-all products is...meh.The same thing goes for the needs of rental businesses—particularly when it comes to setting up pricing structures: This is no one-size-fits-all scenario. It may seem like a simple undertaking on the surface, but there are many nuances that make it complex and highly specific to each outfitter.Consider all the variables that can affect pricing:

• Seasons
• Time of day
• Duration
• Group size
• Add-ons such as equipment kits, insurance, wetsuits, GoPros, etc.

Keeping track of all these variables with a spreadsheet (or worse—by hand—with ledgers!!) can be time consuming, confusing and tricky. It's important to have a robust online booking software to support all these variations and help manage pricing options, but how do you pick the correct option for you?To avoid investing in an online booking solution that only works for some parts, but not all of your rental business, use this checklist to ensure your system can handle the following complexities:

1. Seasonal pricing

Look for software that allows you to create your own seasons with a date range.

Different seasons call for different rental rates. For example, if your bike rental business is booming during the summer months, you might want to capitalize. So during this peak season, you increase pricing by 20 percent while demand is so high. Later, as bookings wind down with summer, you lower pricing by 25 percent to attract more customers.Point in case: Your online booking software should give you the ability to create different pricing schemes throughout the year. Look for software that allows you to create your own seasons with a date range. Peek Pro features seasonal pricing, which automatically adjusts prices for your activities depending on the day of the week or the time of year.

2. Multiple Rental Pricing Methods

Not all rental equipment is used the same way—or for the same amount of time. That's why it's important to consider which pricing methods make the most sense for certain types of equipment.Take, for instance, bike rentals. One customer will come along and rent the bike for, say, three hours, which makes an hourly rental rate the most practical choice. But if you're renting motorboats at a popular lake destination where visitors flock for vacations and weekend getaways—it makes sense to charge a daily rate. Or perhaps you specialize in glow-in-the-dark stand-up paddle boards. Consider renting them out at a nightly rate, so people can paddle as late as they want and return their board in the morning.Tip: If you're like many watercraft rental businesses and offer guided tours and activities in addition to equipment rentals, it's important to choose an online booking system that also lets you charge a per-person rate.

3. Parameters For Inventory Availability

If the mere mention of "inventory management" brings on a pounding stress migraine, it's a sign: your online booking system isn't pulling its weight! Look for a software that lets you specify availability time windows for each piece of rental equipment (i.e. a specific type of bike) or for groups of rental equipment (i.e. all kayaks). The right rental software will also make it a cinch to take inventory offline for needed repairs, and even schedule recurring maintenance windows.

4. Scaling Discounts For Different Group Sizes

By offering a more appealing per-unit pricing structure, larger groups know they’re getting a great deal.

If your customers are getting a discounted rate for booking as a big group, make sure they know it! Use a robust online booking solutionthat lets you to create multiple pricing groups (e.g. 1 to 9 people and 10+ people). By offering a more appealing per-unit pricing structure, larger groups know they're getting a great deal.

5. And Don't Forget...

Beware of Generic Software

As you've probably already guessed, generic software doesn't work very well in the rental pricing space. Look for an online booking software created by a company with deep expertise in the rental market. Ultimately, setting up and managing your rental pricing should be easy, flexible, intuitive, and simple to maintain. This lets you focus more on the customers, instead of messing around in the minutiae of scheduling and maintaining prices.

Keep Customer Experience Top of Mind

Speaking of customers: A successful rental pricing solution delivers a seamless customer experience where the right price is calculated every time, no matter the variations—be it quantity, duration, unit type, group size, special promo codes or add-ons. By providing a clean and intuitive booking interface for guests, you're setting the tone for a top-notch customer experience right from the get-go. Choosing the right software for your rental business can be a challenge, but once you've found it, your day-to-day can transform from frazzled to fantastic. Fewer mistakes, more visibility, a freer schedule, and less stress are on the horizon—not to mention the elimination of inefficiencies when doing things by hand.