In these strange times, it’s sometimes hard to understand what the impact of a situation will have on an industry such as ours. We just wanted to let you know that, despite lockdown, our site will be open for business as usual.
We’re still working hard to make sure there’s plenty of boats on site for you to peruse, to help you dream of the days on the water when the sun’s still out but we’re no longer looking at it from our desk chairs, but rather our deck chairs.
We’ll be ensuring that there are regular updates across all of our channels, including our Facebook page. Keep your eye on these for the latest industry news, some of our most popular boats for sale and of course, the occasional video to give us all something to chuckle at.
We understand that in this unprecedented situation, it can throw up questions that usually would seem so simple. So we thought we’d have a look through some of the messages we’ve been receiving and put together some FAQs that will give you all the current info you need regarding our marketplace.
Q: I’ve been looking to buy a boat, am I still going to be able get in contact with brokers?
A: Yes! Despite the lockdown, our brokers are all still hard at work, albeit possibly from their dining room tables. Don’t be put off sending an enquiry on a boat you’re interested in. All of our sellers will be more than happy to chat to you about any information you need or concerns you have. Write a message to them that encompasses everything you’d like to know or give them a call.
Q: I’ve got a boat to sell, is now a bad time to try to sell it?
A: Despite what you might assume, now is actually a great time to sell. Over the last 6 weeks, the number of boat buyers using our site has increased by 16% and as a result, we’ve seen an 18% rise in the number of enquiries that our sellers are receiving. Thanks to self isolation, there are actually a lot more people browsing the web so now is an ideal time to get your advert in front of them. While they might not be able to view or collect straight away, getting your boat in front of this large audience now will help you to secure a sale for the future, meaning that you can cash in as soon as lockdown is over.
We’ve done some research and found that these are the best packages and upsells to go for if you’re looking to find a buyer quickly:
Elite Ad - The essential advert package to sell and be seen! Highlighted above all listings and shown on the homepage, this option gives you the best possible chance to find a buyer without any limitations. The Elite Ad receives 10x more views & 5x more enquiries than a standard ad!
Category Ad of the Week - The perfect accessory to sell fast! Make your advert the very first to be seen by those who are actively searching within your category. Don't miss out on guaranteed clicks by relevant boaters. Category Ad of the week receives 20x more views & 10x more enquiries than a standard ad!
Ad of the Week - Expose your advert at the top of the homepage for 7 days! Over 35,000 boaters view this section every month. For maximum exposure across all audiences there is nothing more impactful. Ad of the week receives 10x more views & 8x more enquiries than a standard ad!
Q: We’ve been clearing out the cupboards and have found lots of accessories, equipment and electronics that we no longer need. Can I sell these on your site?
A: Yes! We don’t just advertise boats, we have whole sections dedicated to Boats Accessories & Equipment, Boat Safety Equipment, Furniture, GPS/Plotters/Fishfinders, Clothing and Electronics. Post a free ad to display your unwanted items to over 150,000 users a month and make some quick cash.
Q: I’ve lost my job during the pandemic, is there any way I can promote myself on your website?
A: We actually have a Marine Jobs section of our site that you might not know about. Here you can place an advert, either to advertise a vacancy or to state ‘employment needed’. Once you’ve placed your free ad, we’ll do the hard work and make sure employers or potential employees are seeing your message!
Do you have any more questions you want answering? Tweet us on @BAOBuk or send us a message on Facebook and we’ll get back to you - you might even feature in our next blog!
