Online booking

[grouchyturtle]

Can customers book through your website?
Can they also make payments on your website?
What software are you using?

I'm trying to decide between a full booking system that has payments integrated, or just a simple calendar and a PayPal button. As nice as option 1 looks, I'm wondering if configuring it may be just as much, if not, even more work than simply manually managing option 2. Especially when I factor in that I'm not a dive op, who's doing similar reoccurring trips, at the same time(s). In my case, time, length of trip, type of trip can all change depending on what the customer wants to do, and if I already have something booked that day. As much as I love a fully automated system, I'm not sure if it even is possible to configure one with these parameters. Not to mention trips being sold through outside sources such as tour ops.

 

[releck97]

I used these guys last season for my reservations. Although not ideal, I was able to customize my cruises enough to work. I'm still looking for something better, but it wasn't bad and it was VERY affordable: https://instant-scheduling.com

 

[Wookie]

Go have a look at mine. Spree Expeditions M/V Spree SCUBA Diving Dry Tortugas/Vandenberg, Mona Passage and Puerto Rico. It was handmade from scratch and maintained by my webmaster. I think it is one of the finest online booking systems out there. I would think for the price, however, it would be a bit more than you would need. Scubocity makes a fine system with good support, it is used by Conch Republic Divers as well as Horizon Divers as well as others. Give it a look.

 

[releck97]

Wookie,

Thanks for the suggestion regarding Scubaocity. Capt. Gary and I will be setting up a webinar to discuss his product.

Talk to you soon Gary!

Go have a look at mine. Spree Expeditions M/V Spree SCUBA Diving Dry Tortugas/Vandenberg, Mona Passage and Puerto Rico. It was handmade from scratch and maintained by my webmaster. I think it is one of the finest online booking systems out there. I would think for the price, however, it would be a bit more than you would need. Scubocity makes a fine system with good support, it is used by Conch Republic Divers as well as Horizon Divers as well as others. Give it a look.

 

[Capt Gary]

Thanks for the kudo's Wookie. Look forward showing you the system releck97. After looking at your website Scubaocity will fit nicely with your business.

Grouchy Turtle....let's get together and talk about what you are looking for, no high pressure sales. If Scubaocity can fit what your doing great....if not then no worries. Go to Request Information page on Scubaocity and provide some contact information.

Good Diving,

 

[releck97]

Can customers book through your website?
Can they also make payments on your website?
What software are you using?

I'm trying to decide between a full booking system that has payments integrated, or just a simple calendar and a PayPal button. As nice as option 1 looks, I'm wondering if configuring it may be just as much, if not, even more work than simply manually managing option 2. Especially when I factor in that I'm not a dive op, who's doing similar reoccurring trips, at the same time(s). In my case, time, length of trip, type of trip can all change depending on what the customer wants to do, and if I already have something booked that day. As much as I love a fully automated system, I'm not sure if it even is possible to configure one with these parameters. Not to mention trips being sold through outside sources such as tour ops.

Hey Grouchy Turtle, I spent about 90 minutes with Capt. Gary last night in a webinar. He explained his system to me. It is both feature rich and simple. It is also quite customizable. I'm going to play with it for awhile, but am seriously thinking about incorporating scubaocity into my website.

Thanks for your time Gary!

 

[grouchyturtle]

Capt Gary, rather than submit the form, why not just ask here. That way anyone looking for this in the future can find some of your info right here.

Does Scubaocity support payments through PayPal?
Can it easily be integrated/embedded into an existing page?
Can it be configured for multiple types of trips on a single boat.
In other words on any given day, half day morning, half day afternoon, sunset, full day and overnight.
Where if someone books any one of those, the others that would be conflicting would no longer be available?

As a former geek, I manage my own site, although all through Wordpress these days, to avoid touching code.
The other system I'm really looking at right now is Online Booking Calendar, which is a plugin for WP.
Lots of customization depending on which version you go with.

Since I'm not currently doing diving, I'd think you may have a lot of features I don't need.
What did get my attention was that automatically generated manifest, though!

 

[Capt Gary]

Capt Gary, rather than submit the form, why not just ask here. That way anyone looking for this in the future can find some of your info right here.

Does Scubaocity support payments through PayPal?
Can it easily be integrated/embedded into an existing page?
Can it be configured for multiple types of trips on a single boat.
In other words on any given day, half day morning, half day afternoon, sunset, full day and overnight.
Where if someone books any one of those, the others that would be conflicting would no longer be available?

As a former geek, I manage my own site, although all through Wordpress these days, to avoid touching code.
The other system I'm really looking at right now is Online Booking Calendar, which is a plugin for WP.
Lots of customization depending on which version you go with.

Since I'm not currently doing diving, I'd think you may have a lot of features I don't need.
What did get my attention was that automatically generated manifest, though!

Hey GT,

Great to meet another geek like myself and I'd be happy to answer your questions here, but everyone has a little different need and actually showing the systems functions do it a lot more justice.

Does Scubaocity support payments through PayPal?
Paypal charges a lot for their services and we don't use them. We have a payment module built into Scubaocity, but no one has yet to want to use it. Seem most dive shops had rather take a CC # and have it on file if the person doesn't show up. If we do activate the CC module in Scubaocity it would more than likely be with Sterling processing. Their rates are much more palatiable than Paypal.

Can it easily be integrated/embedded into an existing page?
Yes you can use iFrame to embed Scubaocity into your page, but again most are happy with the link.

Can it be configured for multiple types of trips on a single boat.
Yes but not in the way you've described. What our customers do is create a trip that is a Customer Choice. When the customer books online an email is sent to them and youself indicating it is a Customer Choice. They then can choose what trip they want. A simple pull-down in the DiveShop Manager and the trip is changed.

Scubaocity does a lot more, but let me just list a few here.
. Automatic RSS feeds to FaceBook and Twitter on current trips.
. Past trips reports are listed on your calendar for other potential customers to view.
. Previous customers can post comments and pictures of trips they have gone on with you......must approve before they show up on the outside calendar
. Prints manifest of passengers for your trip
. Send bulk emails to customers in your database
. Interfaces/syncs with EncomPos Retail point of sale program
. Trips are searchable and bookable with iPhone/iPad Scubaocity REALTIME search apps.
. DiveShop Manager is accessible via any web enabled device......Creating iPhone/iPad app for DiveShop Manger

There is a lot more to the program than what I've listed here. You can view them by going to Scubaocity Features

Releak97 did I miss anything? For a better idea of the features and capabilities of Scubaocity, a webinar such as the one releak97 and I had last night is recommended. Should only take an hour, but I find they usually go for 1.5 as questions arise.

Let me know if you're interested or have anymore questions.

Good Diving,

 

[Capt Gary]

Capt Gary, rather than submit the form, why not just ask here. That way anyone looking for this in the future can find some of your info right here.

Hey GT....Did I cover everything for you? Anymore questions I can answer?

Good Diving,

 

[grouchyturtle]

I think so. I'm just really busy with other things right now, with the boat show coming up. Will let you know if and when I'm ready to take a real look.