Give Customers the Payment Option They Prefer
When it comes to how customers pay for boat tours, you’ve got options. Should they put down a deposit or pay the full amount upfront? Our data shows there are compelling reasons to consider offering both payment options to your customers.
What Customers Really Want
Here’s an interesting fact:: most customers prefer paying in full when booking boat tours. Why? It’s one less thing to worry about on a vacation. No outstanding balances, no fumbling with payment methods on the dock – just show up and enjoy the experience.
By offering what customers actually want, you’re removing barriers to booking. It’s like rolling out the welcome mat for your potential guests.
The Hidden Benefit: Fewer Empty Seats
Here’s another thing: customers who pay the full amount upfront are significantly less likely to cancel their booking. Bookings paid in full see nearly 30% fewer cancellations compared to deposit-only bookings.
Think about it – when someone has paid in full, they’re more committed to showing up. When they’ve only put down a small deposit, it’s easier to change plans and forfeit that amount.
Protection Against No-Shows
We’ve all been there – you’ve prepared your boat, declined other bookings, and then… the customers don’t show. With Full Payments, you’re protected:
When a customer pays in full and cancels too late or doesn’t show at all, you receive the full tour amount (minus the standard platform fee). That means your time and opportunity cost are covered, even when plans change at the last minute.
Attract All Types of Customers
Smart boat operators understand that different customers have different preferences. Some travelers are budget-conscious and prefer spreading out their payments, while others want the convenience of paying once and being done with it.
By offering both options, you’re widening your net to catch more bookings. It’s a simple change that can make your listing appealing to a broader audience.
Quick Setup, Flexible Management
Getting started with Full Payments is straightforward:
- Go to your payment settings in your BoatBooker dashboard
- Connect your bank account to unlock advanced payment options
- Choose whether to accept full payments, deposits, or both
- Save your preferences
The best part? You can adjust these settings anytime. Try offering Full Payments during your peak season when demand is high, or experiment during slower periods to see what works best for your business.
Worth a Try
The beauty of offering more payment options is that everything’s reversible. If Full Payments doesn’t work for your business model, you can always switch back.
But given the clear benefits – customer preference, fewer cancellations, financial protection, and broader appeal – it’s worth testing this approach. You might be surprised by how many customers choose to pay in full when given the option, and how it positively impacts your booking reliability.Ready to give your customers what they want while protecting your business? Update your payment preferences today and see the difference it makes.
