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.

A little extra prep time can make a big difference.These are words of wisdom for a lot of things in life, whether you're studying for a tough exam, practicing for a big recital or cooking up a Thanksgiving feast. And as a business owner in the tour, activity or rental industry, you know better than most that preparedness makes all the difference when it comes to delivering a top-notch experience for guests. So wouldn't it be dandy if more customers booked a day, a week—or even a month—ahead of time, letting you know exactly what's on the docket for the days ahead?We compiled five tips to encourage customers to book in advance—leaving you more time to focus on big-picture items like staffing, budgeting, interacting with guests, and (most importantly) doing what you love.

1. Embrace The Internet

People want to do things online, on the go—and they want to get their tours, rentals and activities that way, too.We live in an era where people can grocery shop, jam to Ed Sheeran's latest album, and get a hot date for tomorrow night—all while waiting in line at the post office. People want to do things online, on the go—and they want to get their tours, rentals and activities that way, too.Since the average Millennial or Gen Z kid won't even consider calling to book a travel experience or activity, the first step to encouraging people to book in advance (or book at all) is creating a great website for your business.Next, make sure your website is responsive—a.k.a., it “responds to” or resizes itself depending on the type of device it is being viewed on (laptop, smartphone, iPad, etc). Request this if someone is designing your website for you, or choose a responsive template such as Wordpress, Squarespace, Webflow or Weebly if you're building the website yourself.Last, use a seamless online booking system so customers can easily browse availability, book, and pay on your website. People will feel more comfortable booking ahead of time online when they're using a trusted payment processor, and scheduling will be easier on your end with an online calendar that updates in real time as customers book.Choose an online booking system that allows the checkout flow to be directly embedded on your site.

2. Be Smart With Prime Real Estate on Your Website

Optimizing the booking button is one of the most overlooked tactics we see all time. Where and how often this button appears on your website—along with size, color, words and font—can make a significant difference in reservation volume.Writing some persuasive copy on your website can also sway guests to reserve their spot in advance. For example, if your tours, activities or rentals must be booked at least a week ahead of time, consider stating this "above the fold," a.k.a., the portions of the homepage that are visible without scrolling. Impart a sense of urgency with messaging that says something like, "classes fill up fast—reserve your spot online now!" etc.

Position important information above the fold on your website

3. Consider Your Cancellation Policies

Now that you're thinking about ways to encourage folks to book in advance, let's also consider one of the potential roadblocks: Cancellation policies.No one likes hidden fees or unclear policies. Being transparent, fair and reasonable (to the extent that you can be) with cancellation policies, terms and conditions will give customers faith in the professionalism of your business, and make them feel more comfortable booking ahead of time.

Questions to consider when creating your cancellation policy:

• Can the customer reschedule if something comes up?
• Do you have cancellation fees, and if so, when do they apply?
• Will refunds be available all the way up until the redemption date, or only a few days after booking?
• Will you have a sliding scale for the amount to be refunded based on proximity to redemption date?
• How can the cancellation be made—online, through email or over the phone?

If last-minute cancellations from customers who book in advance are a concern for your business, implementing a small cancellation fee—and being upfront about it on your website—can help discourage people from backing out.

4. Posts That Pack A (Profit) Punch: Get Social Media Savvy

When it comes to selling an experience, showing is more powerful than telling. And what better way to "show" how awesome your activity is than by sharing cool photos on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter? Be diligent about posting on social media all year long. Even if you've got seasonal downtimes or close up shop during certain weeks, that doesn't mean your brand building—or advance bookings—have to take a hiatus. A robust social presence helps keep your business "top of mind" for the folks who like to plan ahead.

How to use social media to encourage customers to book online in advance:

• Add the "call to action" button on Facebook: Quite frequently, people end up visiting your Facebook page before they find your website. By adding the "book now" button on your businesses' Facebook page, you can fast-track customers directly to the checkout page on your website.

Make it as easy as possible for your customers to get to your checkout flow. Taking advantage of the call to action button on Facebook, like our partners at Moto Surf Co. pictured above, is an easy way to do this!

• Catch them when they miss you: For example, if you've got a boat charter business that only runs from May to September, dig through your smartphone photos and find a nice shot that you snapped in the summer when it was sunny and gorgeous. Post it on a day when it's dreary outside and your customers are all bundled up. Seeing the summer fun that awaits will create anticipation, and keep your business top of mind when people are getting ready to make plans for the following summer.
• Prepare for holidays and special occasions: Post about seasonal or upcoming themed experiences (Halloween trolley bar crawls, Christmas Lights tours, Valentine's cooking classes, etc.) at least a month ahead.
• Create a sense of urgency: Gently remind customers that slots fill up quickly, and update them on how many are left as they fill up. Knowing that the demand is high and opportunities are dwindling can encourage folks to act fast and book early.

5. The Price Is Right: Incentivize!

Fact: People love getting deals. Another fact: People are more inclined to buy things they wouldn't normally purchase simply because there's a discount. Use this oh-so-scientific information to your advantage and offer pricing incentives for early bird bookers. The easiest way to do this? Use an online booking system that lets you build customizable promotional codes, so you can set discounts to apply for specific days and time ranges. Customers can enter in a code at checkout and see their discount reflected.Using promo codes to get customers booking online ahead of time:

• Incentivize people to book faster by setting a max usage number: "The first 20 people to book get half off their skydiving tickets!"
• Boost sales in your slow season with discounts over a period of several months: "Book a horseback riding lesson from January though March and get $30 off!"
• Drive repeat customers by putting discounts in follow-up emails: "Thanks for skiing with us! Take $20 off your next rental if you book now." An online booking system like Peek Pro makes it easy to send automatic, customized follow-up/thank you emails.

Bottom line? It behooves you to get customers to book in advance. Not only does it allow for more prep time and help guide decision around staffing and budget, you'll spend less time fussing over day-to-day particulars, and more time providing your customers with an awesome, memorable experience.

When you specialize in online booking software for rental companies, you come across a smorgasbord of interesting and innovative business models. From people who turned their passion into a career, from folks looking to supplement a full-time gig, the possibilities are far-reaching and fun to explore. If you're entertaining the idea of starting rental venture, but overwhelmed by the options and need a little inspiration to get the entrepreneurial juices flowing, we put together a variety of ideas based on what we've come across in this industry—from outdoorsy, to ultra niche, to hobby-based.

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Happy brainstorming!

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1. Party Boat

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Sure, we've heard the saying: The two best days of owning a boat are the day you buy it, and the day you sell it. But whoever said that didn't dip their toe into the boat rental market! With a houseboat or party boat, think about all the types of customers you can cater to: Family reunions, bachelor/bachelorette parties, corporate outings, etc.

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2. Luxury/Party Bus

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“The secret of getting ahead is getting started. ”— Mark Twain

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This has same appeal as party boats, but for landlubbers. Luxury buses make the mode of transportation a destination all on its own. Not only is there a year-round market for this type of service, it's a fun opportunity to add your own sense of style and whimsy to a proven business model. For example, we've seen entrepreneurs purchase old school buses and convert them into the ultimate party mobiles—especially perfect for transporting wedding guests in between venues.If you're going for sleek and sophisticated, consider a personalized chauffeured luxury car service. You can always start small with one vehicle, and build your fleet from there.

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‍Tip: There are a number of factors that need to be considered for this market, such as staffing your drivers, insurance, legal compliances and drawing up a detailed business plan that identifies your target customer base (for example—wine tasters, sightseers, wedding parties, etc). But this proven business model can be sustainable, profitable (and fun!) if you invest the time and effort in doing it right.

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3. Mobile Beverage Systems

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Some people like to party at the bar—but you could bring the bar to your party. The tap party trailers cater to larger groups like weddings, golf tournaments and festivals, while the two- and one-tap systems are perfect for small-group tailgating, picnics, barbecues, etc. When you base your business around a commodity that's always going to be in demand (beer!) you're thinking like an entrepreneur.

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4. Party Supplies

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The possibilities in this category are as colorful as a fistful of confetti. Think about it: Most folks don't have chocolate fountains and bouncy castles and bubble machines stowed away in their hallway closet (wait, you do? Can we come over?). When it's time to throw a shindig, people turn to vendors. Whether you want to specialize in one specific thing that generates income on its own (audio equipment, for example) or accumulate an inventory of supplies, this particular rental market has lots of flexibility—and opportunity.

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Here are just a few ideas:

• Concessions machines (popcorn, cotton candy, snow cone, chocolate fountain, slushies/margaritas
• Bouncy houses
• Audio equipment
• Smoke machines
• Tents, tables, chairs
• CO2 Tanks
• Bubble machine
• Karaoke machine
• Interactive games

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5. Party Character Rentals

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“You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.”— Zig Ziglar

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Speaking of parties: Chuckle all you want at the idea of employing Spiderman or Snow White or SpongeBob Squarepants, but managing a party character rental company can mean serious business. After all, who can put a price on fulfilling the birthday dreams of little kids? (You can). If you're already researching the idea of establishing a party supply rental business, character rentals can be a lucrative add-on to expand into down the road.

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6. Outdoor Activity/Sporting/Fitness Equipment

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Wide open spaces...wide open possibilities! In this particular category, the best place to start is by considering the natural conditions of where you’re based. Wherever you are, there’s probably an activity that suits your surroundings. If you're an outdoorsy type, this is a rewarding way to stay immersed in what you love, share your passion with other people, and bring in some extra income.

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Consider...

• Near a river/lake: Fishing equipment
• Near a snow resort: Ski/snowboard/snowshoeing/tubing gear
• Near mountain range/rocky area: Climbing gear
• Near an ocean: Surfboards/boogie boards/hand planes/wetsuits/snorkel gear
• Near a national park: Hiking gear
• Near sand dunes: Sandboards/sandsleds

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7. Watercrafts

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Speaking of you outdoorsy types, where there's a body of water, there's a (rental) way. If being out on the big blue puts a big 'ol smile on your face, it's time to float some ideas—think canoes, kayaks, paddle boats, standup paddle boards, and (our personal favorite) mega SUPs! Start small—a part-time business could get by with a livery of just five boats to begin with. Take the time really refine your customer experience, nail down basic business operations, and separate yourself from the competition before expanding your inventory. Entrepreneur.com estimates the startup costs for this business are $10,000 - $50,000.

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‍Tip: A few things to think about as you explore this possibility—read up on the rules and regulations of watercraft rentals in your state, on-water liability insurance, and look for an organization that can provide community and insight along your journey, such as the Stand Up Paddle Industry Association or the American Kayaking Association. This type of rental business can also be set up in several different operating formats.

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Take time to refine your customer experience to separate yourself from your competition

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8. Electric Scooters/Segways/e-Bikes

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If you've got some mechanical aptitude and live near a highly-trafficked area that attracts a lot of tourists, renting out mopeds, Segways or electric bikes is a practical venture to consider. These types of vehicles are comfortable, user-friendly and just plain fun, making them appealing to a variety of people and thus broadening your customer base. Scooter tours are very popular in vacation spots and adult playgrounds like Las Vegas and Hawaii, and Segways remain a popular tourism staple in tech hubs like Austin and San Francisco. If you're looking to get started quickly, do a little research into franchise opportunities that could give your business a fast track to earnings, profits and growth.

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‍Tip: Reach out to someone who owns a scooter, Segway or e-bike rental business in an area that won't be competitive with your business. The business owner might be more inclined to give you some tips and advice on getting started.

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9. ATVs

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ATV’s, or all-terrain vehicles, are popular all over the country, from the woods of New York to the lush expanses of Hawaii. And while they present some startup challenges, they offer exhilarating appeal for tourists who really want to get immersed in their surroundings. eHow points out that the best spot for renting ATVs is "close to designated off-road areas or back country recreational locations where the machines are allowed. Check with the state or federal agency that manages the area to determine what permits or licenses are required if you operate within the boundaries of the park or national forest."

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10. Photo Booths

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If you’ve been to a wedding in the past sevenish-ish years, you know that photo booths are as much a staple as the DJ, the cake, the bouquet toss, and that one weird uncle from Minnesota who makes an awkward speech. The photo booth fad doesn't appear to be fading out of the picture anytime soon, which makes it a promising side gig to explore—especially if you value flexibility and fun.Some photo booth operators say they rake in about $100 an hour gross profit before taxes are accounted for. This entrepreneur says he makes about $1,000 for working two events in one weekend. Downside? It can dig into your social life, since most weddings and corporate events take place on weekends.

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11. GoPros & Accessories Tripods/Rigs/Harnesses To Go With Them

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Offering GoPros, and all the cool doo-dads to go with them (drones, harnesses, mounts, floating hand grips, etc.) is a great way to cater to thrill-seeking adventurers who want to document and share their excursions on social media. And while the hardcore Shaun White types probably have an arsenal of their own photography goodies, this GoPro rental business rightly points out that "renting a GoPro is the cheapest option for recording HD action video without buying expensive equipment."

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12. Glamping or Camping Gear

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There are two types of people in this world: People who camp, and people who don't camp, but tag along every once in awhile because they were invited, and don't own so much as a headlamp or sleeping bag. The latter is your meal ticket. This rental model is especially viable if you (1) live near a popular camping destination, or (2) live in a big city where people are inclined to get out of town and spend a week in the wilderness. Granted, you'll be competing with big names like REI and Sports Basement, but there's plenty of room for competition! Keep in mind: Quality/cleanliness of gear, and allowing your customers to conveniently check out items online will be hugely important to the success of your business.

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13. Bikes

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A bike rental business is a smart option if you live in an area with extensive bike trails (Cape Cod, for example, is an area with loads of bike tourism).Think about what kinds of add-ons you can offer to boost sales: tag-alongs or trailers for the kiddos, strollers, dog trailers, and fat bikes for the winter (if you live in an area with snow) are all things to consider. You can even put together packages that includes refreshments and a round-trip shuttle pickup/drop-off.

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14. Cake Stand Rentals

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Look at all the blingy bling on these cake stands! Elevate the Cake saw a market for this and went for it, pointing out that "since hundreds of dollars are often spent on the cake, why have it displayed on cardboard, plastic, or nothing at all?" Not only that, who wants to buy a cake stand if they're only going to use once?No question about it: The best work is the kind you enjoy. Nothing delights us more than when we partner with a client who turned their passion into a business, like our friends at Elevate The Cake. Cake stands are actually a hot commodity in the wedding planning business, and your crafty designs can be the cornerstone of someone’s perfectly planned nuptials. Seriously—the fact that there is an Internet article called "a guide to wedding cake stands" proves there's a market for this kind of thing. Bottom line: If there's something you love to make, don't rule out the possibility that someone might want to rent it!

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15. Pipe Rentals

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The legalization of recreational marijuana in several U.S. states has created a new market for cannabis enthusiasts.

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And remember...

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A number of the aforementioned business models can also be set up in several different operating formats, so consider the following, as it could influence what type of rental idea you ultimately decide to pursue. Consider if you'd rather...

• Supply rentals to hotels, and split the revenue
• Operate the rental business from a rented location (e.g. even if you don't own waterfront property, that doesn't mean you can't operate a watercraft rental business)
• Run the rental business directly out of your home and advertise that people can pick up directly from you, or that you'll deliver the gear to a pre-arranged location

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****Starting your own rental business can be one of the most challenging—and rewarding—things you ever decide to take on. For every step of the way, there's a wealth of resources out there to help you succeed.

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

A growing number of marinas are specializing in pleasure craft rentals, including kayaks, motorboats, jet skis and stand-up paddle boards. If you're among this segment of activity operators, you're likely facing stiffer competition to attract guests. One way to stand out above the rest? By providing a great online booking experience for your guests. With the Internet serving as a major medium of communication in the travel industry, "web exposure is a major sales-driving force," IbisWorld points out in a recent study on tour operators in the U.S. "And consumers will increasingly use online trip planning resources."Here are the top reasons your marina should accept online bookings for recreational watercraft rentals.

1. It Improves Customer Service

Rather than calling directly to inquire about available rentals and provide payment information over the phone, a growing number of tech-savvy travelers—at least 85 percent—are going online to shop for, and book experiences. So if you don't offer a great online booking experience, that's a big school of fish to miss out on in the ocean of customers.And it's not just about catering to customers' search habits. With an online booking system like Peek Pro, guests will receive an automated confirmation email that can be fully customized to include any details of your choice, along with a reminder email prior to the experience and a follow-up email after. This allows for thorough and detailed communication between you and your customers, without having to play phone tag or make lengthy calls. And 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.

2. It Makes It Easy For Guests To View All Their Options

If you're currently taking reservations over the phone and find it difficult to clearly communicate all the details, consider how much time and effort you'll save by coordinating the entire reservation online. You're not a parrot, and your guests have better things to do than listen to you list particulars like package options and availability. Make it easy for folks to view all available rentals, seasonal packages, and special offers in one place.

3. It Streamlines Inventory Management

Inventory management. Those two little words carry a lot of weight for anyone who runs a busy rental business. Effectively reconciling available inventory and scheduled reservations can mean the difference between smooth sailing....or a totally derailed day.An intuitive online booking system like Peek Pro brings your business out of the pen-and-paper age with real-time inventory tracking.

An intuitive online booking system like Peek Pro brings your business out of the pen-and-paper age with real-time inventory tracking.

It makes it easy to assess how many items are in storage or in "repair" status at any given time, and helps you forecast whether additional equipment will be needed for upcoming busy seasons, based on your number of pre-bookings.

4. It Makes It Easy To Book Packages

If you offer any type of seasonal packages or group pricing, you need an efficient system in place to manage multiple-person reservations and special itineraries. Relying solely on pen and paper reservations or a manual entry computer system—such as a self-created spreadsheet or database—doesn't always guarantee accuracy. Turn to an online booking system where you can set up packages and seasonal reservations in the backend, so the entire booking process runs smoothly.

5. It Simplifies The Add-On Process

Make it easier for guests to hand-pick their add-on selections during the checkout process. With an online booking software, the sky's the limit for add-ons: additional equipment rentals (wetsuits, rash guards, waterproof GoPros, etc.), classes, workshops, meals, or even souvenir purchases. This is an easy way generate additional revenue, as well as set your guests up ahead of time with everything they need for a fantastic experience.

6. It Makes Your Calendar Visible In Real-Time

Give customers access to your calendar in real-time, so there's never a question about whether a reservation is available or not. Using an online booking software with clear calendar visibility makes it much more convenient for guests to plan their experience. It also helps staff members gain an accurate view of how busy a particular week or season is going to be—all they have to do is check the reservations calendar that populates automatically.

7. It Simplifies The Pricing Structure For Custom Bookings

Offering tiered pricing for guests can be a great way to generate more business. Quickbooks reports on how tiered pricing can be a valuable pricing strategy for a small business owner, particularly because customers enjoy having a variety of choices at their disposal. Peek Pro's online booking system for rentals is designed for even the most complex rental bookings and pricing configurations. You can make full use of nightly, daily and weekly rental booking and management features to accommodate all types of guest requests without extra administrative steps.

8. It reduces the risk of no-shows.

The cost of no-shows can be significant when managing any type of rentals business. As Karen MacLaughlin, owner of Karen's Kayaks, points out in our post about reducing no-shows, it costs her company an average of $1,000 in revenue when someone cancels their trip. You'll find it much easier to implement and enforce your no-show and cancellation policy when guests are required to pay for their reservation upfront and agree to your policies when confirming their reservation. This can reduce—or even virtually eliminate—no-shows, so you don't run the risk of losing revenue every time a reservation is made.From streamlining the rentals inventory management process, to providing guests access to a real-time availability calendar, accepting online bookings for recreational rentals can be a great value to your marina business.

One of the biggest challenges rental business owners face each year is seasonal employee retention. It’s an issue that simply comes with the territory: How do you cultivate a loyal team when you aren't in a position to offer year-round employment?Here are a few tried-and-true tips on how to incentivize part-time employees to stick with you:

1. Give Them a Sense of Pride in Their Role

“It’s the little things—especially for recent college graduates. Spend $25 on business cards and give them to your employees so they can show them to their parents, pass them out to family and friends, and give them to prospective customers. Little stuff like that is really nice.”— Jon Wilson, Co-owner, Action Watersports of Incline VillageIt doesn't matter if you run a bank, manage a small boat rental business, or own a chain of coffee shops: Being a great place to work is linked to outstanding business results, according to the Workforce Institute.Taking steps (even small ones) to show workers they're valued members of the team can instill pride, boost morale and a encourage a sense of ownership in the company—all contributing factors that might entice them to keep coming back, season after season. Jon points out that even simple gestures, such as ordering business cards for your top workers, sends a message that they're valued.

Quick tips:

• Give your best workers some extra authority and responsibility
• Hand out business cards
• Give everyone a title, e.g. "dock manager," "beach manager," "rentals specialist," etc.
• Recognize and reward an employee of the week or month
• Look for opportunities where employees can develop additional skills while working for you, and encourage team members who might by shy or hesitant to take on new challenges or responsibilities outside their wheelhouse.

2. Better Business Tools = Better Workday = Better Seasonal Employee Retention

“I can’t believe this company survived without an online booking system before.”— Jon Wilson, Co-owner, Action Watersports of Incline VillageHaving the right operational resources in place can spell the difference between a chaotic workday, vs. a workday that runs like a well-oiled machine. If you're trying to run a growing business—but still using outdated methods for managing reservations, payments, scheduling and customer communication—your team might not be jumping up and down to return next season.Adopting smart and easy-to-use technology such as online booking software can drastically streamline the day-to-day minutiae for your employees, and enable them to be more efficient (and happy) at their jobs.

Adopting online booking software can drastically streamline the day-to-day minutiae for your employees

Prior to implementing an online booking software, Action Water Sports "would hand-write a sheet of what boats were going out at what time and bring that down to the dock every single morning," Jon recalls. “We had five people in our gazebo, and we had a clipboard for each product (catamaran, jet-ski, kayak, etc.) So whoever had the one clipboard, they were the only person who could take a reservation.”

Nowadays, thanks to their robust online booking software, Jon's employees can...

• Easily track inventory from one place with a check-in, check-out feature
• Receive daily manifest reports automatically via email
• Accept walk-ups and manage reservations from anywhere using a mobile app
• Stay up to date on things like weather warnings and reservation cancellations via a real-time dashboard
• And a whole lot more

For rental businesses that also offer guided tours, an online booking software like Peek Pro lets managers set up "Guides" in the backend and assign them to lead specific tours or trips. The Guides can then receive automated text and email notifications updating them on key details, such whether they've been assigned/unassigned to an experience, reservation cancellations or changes, etc.

3. It Pays to Pay More

When we spoke with Jon, he was quick to address the core issue most summer or winter-oriented businesses face."One of the hardest things we have to deal with is our staffing. We’re a seasonal business and we’re a transient community where it’s hard to get people year after year," he explained. "We’ll be lucky to get people to work with us for three seasons. We’re constantly re-hiring and re-training, and it’s tough to staff."Photo courtesy Kayak AnnapolisEventually, Action Water Sports made a game-changing decision to start paying some of its top team members year-round on salary, and it's made a big difference with seasonal employee retention, Jon said.While this strategy isn't practical for small seasonal businesses just getting into the game, it's worth considering down the road as operations grow, especially from a financial perspective: The typical cost of turnover for positions earning less than $30,000 annually is 16 percent of an employee’s annual salary, according to the Center for American Progress.

4. If You’re a Summer Business, Team Up with a Winter Business (and Vice Versa)

“If you basically work it out to where the employees have guaranteed work between your company and another company year-round, it’s a win-win for everyone involved.”— Jon Wilson, Co-owner, Action Watersports of Incline VillageWe especially love this out-of-the-box suggestion from Jon: Explore the possibility of setting up a partnership with a business that operates during your off-season. For example, if you're a kayak/SUP outfitter in an alpine lake area, do some networking and establish a relationship with someone who specializes in wintertime experiences, such as snowmobile rentals. If you "basically work it out to where the employees have guaranteed work between your company and another company year-round, it's a win-win for everyone involved," Jon suggests.

5. Perks Work, Too—Even Little Ones

“We do a lot of donations to our community, so we get invited to things like golf tournaments and crab feeds, and we tend to pass that stuff on to our staff.”— Jon Wilson, Co-owner, Action Watersports of Incline VillagePhoto courtesy of Kayak AnnapolisUnderstandably, many small and mid-size companies aren't in a position to offer more pay. But there's other ways to get creative: Even in low-stakes, seasonal jobs, doling out perks can also encourage seasonal employee retention. According to Jon, this can be as simple as re-gifting freebies or giving employees a paid day off to go do something fun in the area.If you're running a rentals business, consider giving out a "friends and family" pass to each employee so they can bring a few pals on one of their off days. Or perhaps designate one day of the week "team breakfast" day, and bring in bagels, fruit and coffee for everyone to enjoy before their shift.Your seasonal business doesn’t have to be a summer job slacker destination just because it's only in full swing for half the year. Using these creative work-arounds can help foster better seasonal employee retention and a direct line to business growth.

If you’re looking for an extra advantage in what can be an ultra-competitive market, there's heaps of data proving how important positive reviews are for your bottom line. But you're probably aware of that if you're reading this article, and don't need to be reminded that 84% of people trust online reviews written by other consumers as much as they trust recommendations from people they know.The following best practices can help create customers who want to sing the praises of your watercraft rental business. Get ready to ride the wake of positive reviews!

1. No Surprises

Surprises are terrific if (1) they involve penguins, or (2) it's your birthday. But when it comes to booking a rental, everything should be crystal clear from the get-go. Staying on top of the following items can make a big difference between an average customer experience, and an awesome one...and the more awesome the experience, the better your chances for a glowing review.Neglecting the following items can be a recipe for bad reviews. Be extra vigilant about...

• Bathrooms: Unpleasant restrooms are a mega magnet for bad reviews. Whether it's on the marina, aboard the boat, or in the office, go the extra mile to keep facilities comfortable and clean for your guests. Trust us, it pays off.
• Website photos: Make sure the images of your equipment on your website accurately represent what customers are renting. The right online booking system will give you the flexibility to include multiple pictures in the checkout flow.
• Routine inventory audits: Keeping your rental products in good shape is paramount to a great customer experience, so get in the habit of scheduling regular maintenance/safety audits for all your equipment. Better yet? Automate it.
• Price transparency: Customers should always know exactly what the total price covers. Be transparent about what's excluded from the overall cost, such as life vests, gas, insurance, helmets, etc. The right online booking system should make it easy for customers to add on extras during the checkout flow, and automatically update totals based on variables such as duration and quantity. Check out our tips on simplifying rental pricing structures here.
• Customer preparedness: A lost customer is an unhappy customer. A customer who can't figure out where to park is an unhappy customer. A customer who didn't wear the right clothes is an unhappy customer. You get our drift. It behooves you—and your chances for a great review—to help customers be as prepared as possible. Incorporate all the helpful details on your website (maps, driving directions, parking suggestions, recommended clothing, weather alerts, tips on local restaurants) and reiterate these in confirmation and reminder emails, which can be easily be automated with an online booking system.

2. Urge Watercraft Renters To Leave All The Important Stuff On Dry Land

It's simple, really. Losing your phone, keys, jewelry, wallet, or expensive designer sunglasses is sad. Very sad. Sad customers are going to be more preoccupied with cancelling credit cards or shopping for a new phone, and less concerned about taking the time to leave you a review. Save your customers from themselves: Encourage folks to empty their pockets and leave the important things on dry land—especially the first-time SUP'ers and kayakers. We've all been there!

3. Delight Tech-Savvy Customers With Cool Optional Add-Ons

Think about investing in high-tech gadgets such as waterproof bluetooth speakers, GoPro cameras, photo SD cards and drones, and making them available as optional add-ons to enhance the rental experience. By giving customers the ability to document their adventures, you’re appealing to the 65 percent of millennials who want the technological capability to share their travel experiences on social media, according to a recent survey conducted by The Futures Company for American Express. The right online booking platform will make it easy to seamlessly integrate these optional add-onsinto the checkout flow.

4. Be Prepared For Walk-ups

Having a plan in place to accommodate walk-ups is just as vital as having one for those who reserved ahead of time. An online booking system makes it easy for busy staffers to register walk-ups on the spot, thanks to features like shared calendaring, real-time inventory management and mobile payment processing.

5. Regularly Check Online Reviews. Respond To Them. Learn From Them.

“Thoughtfully responding to reviews, whether positive or negative, sends a strong and visible message that each customer is valued.”

It's simply a reality of the digital times we live in: Some customers are going to take a bad experience all the way home without broaching the subject with you in person. Regularly checking online reviews is an important way to gauge what your customers like, what they don't like, and how to adapt your business to serve guests better. Get in the habit of checking and responding to reviews on TripAdvisor, Yelp, Google and Facebook at least once a week.

6. Separate Your Businesses On Yelp

Speaking of reviews: Whether you operate independently from neighboring hotels and restaurants, or own the whole marina, be sure to separate your rental business from others you might be associated with. After all, a one-star dining experience shouldn’t reflect poorly on a five-star kayak rental experience. To do this, simply search online to see if a Yelp page already exists for your rental business. If it already exists, claim it. If not, you can create new business page with reviews explicitly dedicated to the rental division of your brand.

7. Anticipate The Needs Of Your Guests

You can’t control things like the weather or a customer getting seasick, but you can be prepared to go the extra mile for your guests.

Even if you provide an exceptional rental experience, some factors beyond your control can still reflect poorly on your business. For example, if you're renting motorboats, stash some essentials such onboard—a First-Aid kit, bottled water, extra sunscreen, Dramamine, etc. If you're renting kayaks or jet skis, consider providing dry bags, lockers or even complimentary branded sunglass holders.TIP: Another thing people seem to really praise on review sites? When rental businesses offer grab-n-go snacks and beverages for purchase. Think about setting up a simple snack stand onsite, or even inviting a local food truck to set up shop in your parking lot once a week. Who doesn't love street tacos after three hours of kayaking?

8. Show The Locals Some Love, Too!

While seasonal tourist traffic might generate the lion's share of your revenue, tapping into the local scene brings big benefits, too: A recent Nielsen survey says 84% of consumers reported always or sometimes taking action based on personal recommendations, while another study by Ogilvy, Google and TNS reveals 74% of consumers identify word-of-mouth as a key influencer in their purchasing decision.Positive reviews from locals carry significant clout for out-of-towners, so go the extra mile to make the folks in your hood feel like VIPs. Here are a few ideas:

• Offer special local rates for people who live in the same city or zip code as your business
• Create a local rewards program—e.g., after five kayak rentals, the sixth one is free
• Host periodic "locals-only days" or "locals play day" to entice nearby residents to come out. This can help you build meaningful relationships in the community, and keep your business top of mind when visitors ask around for local recommendations.

Not only do positive reviews service your bottom line, they offer raw insight into what makes your customers happy—and what you can do to keep it that way. Get in the habit of applying some of these best practices, and prepare for those five-star ratings to start rolling in.