5 Reasons Your Dive Shop Needs A Strong Online Presence

Having a scuba diving website isn't just about making sales. It's also about building trust with your customers. If you have their trust you will get their business. 

This article will give you insights on why you need to build a strong online presence now!

Scuba diving has been around for decades, but there are still many people who aren't aware of how to find good information about it in your local area. That's why a strong online presence is important.

By having a well-designed website that is optimized for search engines, with a strong online presence with business listings, social media, customer reviews and reputation management you can reach your local and a global audience and provide them with the information they need to make informed decisions about scuba diving.

Having a strong online presence is essential for dive shops in the modern age. Consumers are increasingly turning to the internet to find information about products and services and your reputation, and what reviews are being posted. If you're not there to provide it, they'll go to your competitor who is there.

But it's not enough to just have a website. In order to really set yourself apart as an authority in your industry, you need to have a strong online presence that extends to all of your social media channels and beyond. By creating quality content and engaging with your audience, you can build trust and credibility that will make people more likely to want to come to your dive shop, take your classes and buy your equipment.

So if you're not already focused on building a strong online presence, now is the time to start. It will take some effort, but it will be well worth it in the end.

Your website should include information about the basics of scuba diving, as well as information about equipment, local scuba diving and instructors. It is strongly recommended you also include a blog with scuba diving tips and stories, to help people learn more about the sport and find the information and motivation they need to get started.

If you own a dive shop, you already understand how difficult it can be to keep up with the demand on your time. And while you might not think that having an online presence will help you sell more gear, it actually does. Did you know that 81% of retail shoppers conduct online research before buying. 

In fact, according to a study by HubSpot, more than half (46%) of consumers say they would purchase products online from a business with an online store. That's because when you have an online storefront, you can reach potential customers 24/7, 365 days a year.

What will they find?  Will they find you online? Will they find you ahead of your competition? Does your online presence present well and create interest and security with the searchers?

1. It helps you connect with new customers and stay connected to existing ones.

2. It allows you to share your story and expertise with people who aren't familiar with your or your brand and generate interest and excitement.

3. It gives you access to customer reviews and feedback.

4.  It makes it easier for you to develop a following, which your can segment and then market to based on their wants and needs.

Finally, it lets you showcase your products and services.

If you're not listening to what people are saying about you online, then you're missing out on opportunities to improve your business. In fact, according to a study by Search Engine Land, nearly half (45%) of businesses surveyed said they didn't even know how much money they were losing because of negative comments posted online.

With the right digital tools, which we can provide, you can change negative comments to a positive one. If negative reviews are left unchecked it can ruin your reputation and business.

A strong online presence for your dive shop allows you to connect and engage with current clients. It makes it easier to share your stories and their stories with others, generate excitement, and enthusiasm and promote diving to others who may be on the fence or just procrastinating.

And finally, it provides a platform for you to market yourself and your brand. After all, running a dive shop is a business and it needs to make money to continue.

If you're not using social media marketing to promote your business, then you're leaving money on the table. In fact, according to HubSpot, businesses that use social media marketing see a 300% ROI. That means that every dollar spent on social media marketing generates $3 in revenue.

The best, most prominent and most successful Dive Shops and Scuba Resorts have a strong online presence and have leveraged Internet Technology to connect customers and promote their business. You can do the same.

While potential customers might come across your website or social media channels organically, you can also give them a nudge in the right direction by incorporating video into your online presence. A study by Comscore found that online video viewers are 64% more likely to buy a product after watching a video about it. So, if you're running a dive shop, there's a good chance that incorporating video into your web presence will lead to more sales.

But where do you start? Here are a few ideas:

• Create a video tour of your dive shop

• Create a video introduction to your staff

• Create a series of videos highlighting popular dive locations

• Create a series of videos teaching basic diving skills

• Create a video reviewing dive equipment

All of these videos will help you to connect with people, create interest and leave a lasting impression. It will lead to your videos being shared, which will help your authority and search engine rankings.

To get more ideas on getting started check out  Vicki O'Neill's  Video on creating videos for yours business

Getting everything done that needs to be done can be overwhelming and time-consuming, but with the right digital tools, guidance and support it is a lot easier than you think and the effort will pay dividends.

Contact me today and let me show you how you can get it done effectively and with out breaking the bank.