Traffic at padi.com – one of the dive industry's most visited websites - skyrocketed the week of 20 May 2007 largely due to the launch of the PADI Open Water Diver Course Online. The volume of traffic marks the highest number of page views in padi.com history, which holds promise of an increase in new divers for PADI Dive Centers and Resorts.
With eLearning’s launch on 21 May 2007, padi.com saw an immediate increase in traffic. By Friday 25 May, padi.com traffic increased more than 41 percent, equating to an additional 5,538 unique visitors on that day alone as compared to last year. 4,926 visitors on that day were new to the site. Padi.com page views increased by more than 76,600 as compared to the same time last year, surging padi.com traffic to a record breaking week!
PADI eLearning is already leading to a surge in business for PADI Dive Centers and Resorts. Phil Ellis, owner and operator of Dive Sports in Decatur, Alabama, USA already has seven eLearning students. “All seven of my customers who signed up for PADI eLearning did so through our company website,” boasted Ellis. “One of our customers told me that she wouldn't have been able to learn to dive if it wasn’t for eLearning. She’s from a city about 50 miles away and could never make arrangements to get into our store for regularly scheduled classes because of her busy schedule. She happened to visit our website after we put up the eLearning link and saw how convenient it was for her.”
Mass Diving, in Natick, Massachusetts, USA had two eLearners the same day the site launched. “We had two people sign up right away for PADI eLearning from padi.com,” shared Mark Potter, owner and operator of Mass Diving. “They’re twins, they’re both already done with the program and they’ve already come into the store to purchase their mask, fins and snorkels. We’re starting their pool and open water training tomorrow.”
“I asked them, now that they're done with the course, if they would do it again via eLearning or if they would have preferred to take the course via the DVD version,” continued Potter. “They told me, hands down, that they would do eLearning again. There were a few little glitches, but nothing they couldn’t work out. They’ve asked for some more help on dive tables, so I’m having an instructor email them to give them more direction. And, if they need to, they can always sit in on a regular class when we cover that portion. But, overall, I feel warm and fuzzy over eLearning. It’s going to be a big hit.” It’s important to note that Mass Diving students pay $55 US more for the PADI Open Water Diver Course Online than their standard PADI Open Water Diver course.
Surge in padi.com traffic, new students at PADI Dive Centers and Resorts, increased course profits and honest feedback from dive center owners and operators. It all adds up to a single, clear message – the PADI Open Water Diver Course Online is helping PADI Members make more money.
“We have two people who were planning on going to the Bahamas for either a resort course or certification. But they found our website, saw eLearning and called us. Now, they’ve finished the knowledge development portion of the class with us and we’ve helped arrange their in-water training with a PADI Resort in the Bahamas. They’ll be by to purchase their personal equipment prior to their trip,” said Dive Sports' Ellis. “I think eLearning is the most significant technological advance PADI has ever made. It’s a great tool. I feel very sorry for the stores who don’t embrace it, because I think they’ll be left behind.”
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