Let’s assume your marina is in tip-top shape. Your employees are second to none, your slip bookings are steady and you’ve got the best marine software system in the industry to ensure maximum efficiency and optimum satisfaction, which are among the amenities offered by DockMaster. However, if you’re among a number of marinas in areas that aren’t as exotic as Waikiki beach or if you’re in a part of the world where your operation can’t run year-round, you might be at a geographic disadvantage. In other words, your marina marketing strategy might need to include ways to generate some traffic that offers more than sunny beaches and picturesque coastlines.
A few enterprising marinas have managed to brainstorm ideas on how tourism could provide a spike in their business. These ideas had very little to do with the operation of the marina itself. Still, as long as marinas are well-run, there’s definitely a higher likelihood of obtaining additional traffic.
Examples of Generating Additional Traffic
One such case is Parks Marina, which has made the most of third party integrations using DockMaster’s API (Application Programming Interface) on the rental side and their web store inventory. The marina also created a revenue stream by hosting mini-cruises up and down the lake shorelines. Their location on Lake Okoboji in Iowa optimized revenue streams during the winter. One way Parks Marina got more traffic was The Barefoot Bar, which is booked solid with live music 12 months a year. When they don’t have a band, they involve the local community to facilitate activities such as portrait and landscape painting, as well as karaoke.
Cape Cod is a major tourist attraction in the U.S. and while that’s great for marinas, they still need to get creative to distance themselves from the rest of the pack. Besides having an impressive e-commerce store which tracks inventory and billing made possible integrating their website to DockMaster, Hyannis Marina takes it on itself by hosting a variety of events. Among their events are the Figawi sailboat races, the high-profile Octunafest fishing derby and their dinner, dockage and show package at the Melody Tent theater complex.
Wrapping Up
Having a marina that’s efficient with the best workers around, the greatest selection of inventory, and the latest dock management system to keep things running efficiently certainly helps the bottom line. However, taking a look at the bigger picture might trigger some unique marina marketing ideas that can kick your business into overdrive. The answer might just literally be outside your office window.
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DockMaster Software is an industry leading management system for marinas, boatyards, and boat dealerships. DockMaster includes Unit Sales, Prospecting and F&I with fully integrated financial management and numerous integrations with CRM applications, dealer websites and text/messaging services. The Service module includes estimating, labor tracking, and complete parts management with ordering/receiving, subcontractor fulfillment and invoicing. DockMaster Mobile allows technicians to clock on/off jobs from any mobile device. Visual Marina™ management includes storage & billing, occupancy tracking, reservations and dry stack management, including integrations to leading consumer applications for boat rentals, online reservations, concierge/launch scheduling and our new Fuel Integration with FuelCloud. DockMaster also includes Point of Sale, Order Entry with eCommerce and a complete accounting system. Learn more at www.DockMaster.com and follow DockMaster on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Or email info@dockmaster.com
