A family on holiday decides on a Tuesday that they want a boat day on Friday. They open three charter sites and book the one that tells them, in a few taps, what the trip is, what it holds and how to reserve it. For a charter business, the deposit is the finish line of that short journey.
A boat is a fixed number of seats
Unlike a shop, a charter has hard capacity. The site should make that obvious: number of guests, which trip each boat does and whether private bookings exist. A visitor who sees a boat holds six people will not request it for ten, which saves both of you a round of messages.
Once the trip, boat and group size are chosen, the deposit holds the slot. We can word the step so that guests know the deposit secures the boat and captain for that day, not just a place in a queue.
What the booking path should include
- ✓Trip type and length — sunset cruise, half day, full day
- ✓Boat and capacity — with the maximum guest count in plain numbers
- ✓Preferred date and an alternate — weather gives you a reason to ask
- ✓Contact and meeting point — marina name and slip, if you have one
Handling weather and holiday weekends
Holiday weekends fill first, and a single windy day can push several trips at once. Your terms for weather cancellations, reschedules and credits go in plain language beside the deposit. We do not write them for you; we make sure guests see them before paying.
The deposit goes through the tool you use or through Square, if you want one set up. Processing fees belong to the provider, and anything about marine rules, permits or insurance is outside what we advise on.
Prepare these items
- ✓Your trips and boats with capacity — one clear line per option
- ✓Your deposit rule — a flat amount or a share of the trip price
- ✓Your weather cancellation terms — short and fair
- ✓A meeting point description — so guests find the dock on the first try
What to expect, honestly
- ✓We do not provide safety or regulatory information — you supply any notes you want shown
- ✓We do not manage the boat schedule — you confirm each date
- ✓We cannot control weather or processor fees — both sit outside the site
One example of what your site could look like
This is one sample we designed. Yours is built around your business, your photos and your words, and we have more examples if you want to compare directions.
What it costs
Websites are priced one-time by size, plus Website Care at $30/month for hosting, HTTPS, backups, weekly checks and A/B testing. Every package includes a consultation, mobile-friendly design, copy we write for you, a contact form, essential search setup and 10 revision rounds. Monthly SEO is an optional add-on when you are ready for it.
Optional add-ons, billed separately
The prices above are for your website. These two are separate monthly products you can add now or later. Neither is part of the website price.
Monthly SEO, from $50/month: new pages published on your site every month. See Monthly SEO →
Business Spotlight, from $30/month: articles about your business, labeled as paid, published on The Company Chronicle. See Business Spotlight →
How it works
1. Consultation
We learn your services, customers and goals, in English or Spanish.
2. We write and design
We draft the words and build the site around your business.
3. 10 revision rounds
You review and request changes until it is right.
4. Launch and care
We launch, then Website Care keeps it hosted, backed up, checked weekly and A/B tested.
Keep reading
Booking deposits overview · Websites for boat charters · Websites for fishing guides · Maps and directions
