4 Reasons Why Responding Quickly to Boaters is the Best Marketing Tactic for your Marina

You’ve been there before: Crazy Friday afternoon in your busy season, guests and customers on the docks, boats arriving and a pile of work to do to get ready for one of the busiest weekends of the whole summer. The phone is ringing and online inquiries are coming through. Who has the time?

But if your marina isn’t staffed to handle and quickly respond to these customer requests by answering the phone and responding to leads online, then you’re hurting your business.

Responding quickly to inquiries from online marketplaces can help you build a positive reputation, attract new customers, and increase revenue, making it an essential aspect of any business's online presence. Here’s why:

1. Receive more Positive Reviews: One of the most important factors in growing your marina is maintaining positive reviews from your guests. Guests are more likely to book with marinas who have a proven track record of providing great hospitality. In fact, a recent study that our marketing team conducted found that a marina’s average star rating was the #1 factor of driving more boater traffic to your marina’s docks.
   
   
2. Customer Experience and Satisfaction: When boater customers have questions or concerns, they want quick and accurate responses. By responding quickly to their inquiries, you can demonstrate your commitment to customer service, which can help increase customer satisfaction and loyalty.
   
   
3. Increase the likelihood that a customer will re-book: Online marketplaces like Dockwa and Marinas.com are highly visible platforms, and boaters often will re-book at a marina that they have a great experience at year after year. By responding quickly and professionally to lead inquiries, you can build a positive reputation for your business and help drive repeat customers.
   
   
4. Competitive Advantage: In highly competitive marketplaces, quick response times can set your business apart from others. If a potential customer receives a quick response from your business while they're waiting on a response from a competitor, they may be more likely to choose your business.