Deep Sea Fishing Gear - Captains Chair.

This page in Deep Sea Fishing Gear is reserved to help Charter Captains that are looking for different ways to improve their business.  I know that most of the sport fisherman out there today would love to have their own fishing charter business, but what the amatuer fisherman has to remember (and I am sure every charter captain will agree with me on this) is that it is not all fun and fishing.  Just like any successful business owner you have to work hard. That is why each month Deep Sea Fishing Gear will write an article that will give fishing charter captains helpful advice covering wider variety of topics ranging from internet marketing to customer service/retention, 

Your  web site is a reflection of you

Your Web Site is a reflection of You
by: Chris Chatterton
April 18th 2007

Let me start off by saying I have been wanting to write this article for quiet a while now.  First, a little back round on me so you can appreciate where this article is going.  I have been an internet marketing consultant for several years now.  I primarily work with car dealers that are looking to leverage their web site to help them sell more cars.  There, now that is out of the way we can move forward. 

Every year I plan a fishing trip for a group of buddies and since we are usually going to a new location we rely on the internet to help us find a charter captain.  In my search for the lucky charter captain I run across some of the most unfriendly sites in the world, not to mention ugly and I wonder what are they thinking while I exit the site as soon as possible.  So the question you have to ask yourself is your web site a reflection of you.  You never get a second chance to make a first impression.

 As a business owner you should treat your web site like your boat.  With the internet growing and maturing many charter captains have failed to keep up.  Here are few tips on how to make your site as productive as your best mate.

Your boat constantly requires attention, upkeep, and organization.  Why should your site be any different?  They both help you stay in business and both speak volumes about your Charter Service.

A good charter captain always keeps his boat clean and organized, well you need to do the same thing with your web site.  Your web site should have a clean design and be simple to navigate.  If you are not sure that your web site meets the criteria ask yourself this question and be honest.  If you were looking for a charter captain would your site impress you enough to inquire about booking a trip?

When you are fishing for yourself you probably fish completely different then when you have a charter booked.  You would never let a client fish with your personal combo because it's built for you.  You let your clients fish with something they can handle or is easier for them to use.  I bring this up to ask you a question is your web site built for you or your potential clients?  If you design your web site for your client verses yourself you will definitely see the difference.

Think of your web site as strategic investment that can provide great returns when leveraged correctly.  Is your site attracting new visitors, and if so is it converting those visitors into clients.  I am sure that if you were to ask your clients how they found you the majority would say the internet.  So be sure to make sure your web site is reflection of you and your business.