Our friends at Kayak Carolina recently launched their new online booking system along with a new website and brand refresh, just in time for the height of the kayaking season!
 
“I hired Wide Open a few months ago to prepare for our celebration of 25 years in business and I am so happy and grateful I did,” said Angela Caldwell Marshall, owner of Kayak Carolina. “My business is already seeing marvelous direct results online and the bottom line too. In meeting with them directly, which I love that they make sure to do as well, I am truly excited to see what they have in store next!”
 
[Build your new website with Wide Open Tech here.]
 
Kayak Carolina came to Wide Open Tech looking to modernize and simplify how the business works. The company was previously still taking touring reservations over the phone, but it was taking quite a lot of manpower to manage the manual booking process. Not only that, but the Kayak Carolina team wanted their brand to reflect the nature exploration aspect that takes such an integral role in the kayak tour experiences they provide.
 
As a woman-owned brand founded in 1998 by Angela Caldwell Marshall, Kayak Carolina has been offering guided, nature-focused kayak tours, kayak rentals, and kayak instruction in Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and surrounding areas.

Brand and Website Refresh

It was important to Kayak Carolina that their website and logo showed more of a focus on nature and wildlife, so we changed their brand colors to use bright greens and yellow/orange tones to match the trees, marshes, and sunshine or sunsets that kayakers will experience on tours with Kayak Carolina. For the logo, we used the same color scheme, but also added a sea turtle and a sun to tie in to the nature vibes on the new website.













 

Online Booking System
 

We wanted to boost bookings and simplify the way their business works by adding an online booking system to the website. With this new booking system, the Kayak Carolina team is able to manage bookings, team members, billing, and reports right from the backend of their booking engine. Not only that, but Kayak Carolina can also take payments on site with a mobile version of their booking system so that clients can pay via cash upon arrival! Talk about modernization!
 
“I decided to work with Wide Open Tech because I feel they took the time to listen to what I wanted, what I needed, and my budget considerations,” Marshall said. “They created a plan that was customized for my growing business. I love the new online booking system along with my new website! This combination has allowed me the freedom to concentrate on the day at hand and live in the moment with my business and clientele.”

Plans for the Season at Kayak Carolina

With their new website live and in action, Kayak Carolina is excited to see new kayak adventurers join them this season. The company is currently running five guided kayak tours this season including two Zeke’s Island tours, a sunrise/sunset tour, a Masonboro Island tour, and a Sharks Tooth Island tour. Kayakers can sign up for a tour or rent a kayak-to-go on the official website here.


With over 7 years of experience in marketing and creative writing, Mel keeps his finger on the pulse of online trends and leverages storytelling as the driving force that sways the modern consumer into a loyal fan. He's worked with national brands like Audioengine USA, Kidokinetics, and Boardworks Education on marketing, design, and content writing efforts. With a bachelor’s in creative writing and journalism, the art of storytelling takes a front seat to all marketing efforts. Mel has written for encore magazine, Lumina News, and countless blogs for brands of all industries.