If you’re like most campground owners, you want your park to shine and attract as many happy campers as possible. That’s why it’s tempting to use the free, built-in website that comes with your booking software—it’s easy, quick, and hey, it saves a few bucks!
But here’s the thing: relying solely on that basic camping reservations landing page could be holding your campground back. While it does the job of processing reservations, it falls short in bringing your campground’s personality, story, and unique offerings to the spotlight.
Show Off What Makes Your Campground Special
A customized website is your canvas to tell your story—what makes your campground special, what experiences you offer, and why camping with you is a cut above the rest.
With a customized site, you’re not limited by generic layouts or impersonal designs. Instead, you get a space that feels like a true extension of your campground’s personality. Even better, a polished, professional look builds trust with guests before they ever pack up the car.
You don’t want a visitor to (hopefully) choose you from a list of campgrounds in the area. You want a visitor to choose you because of what makes your campground unique, like proximity to a National park, the only campground in the area with a pool and hot tub, or the only family-friendly RV park with a playground in your area.
Show off what makes your campground unique, like a picture of your pool on your campground website
Make Things Easy for Guests (and for You!)
Think about the last time you tried booking something online and got stuck in a maze of confusing pages. Frustrating, right?
Having your own campground website – built with your guests in mind to be fast, mobile-friendly, and easy to navigate – removes the confusion since you’re in control of what’s on the website and how it’s laid out. Plus, you can prioritize what’s important to your campers, whether that’s showcasing hiking trails, pet-friendly policies, or upcoming live music weekends.
Get Found Online with Campground Search Engine Optimization
Let’s face it—a free landing page from booking software rarely ranks well in Google searches. A customized website means you can fine-tune for the keywords and topics your future guests are searching.
Want to include pages about local attractions or tips for first-time RVers? Go for it! Every bit of unique content helps you get noticed and brings more visitors to your site (and eventually, your campground).
Take Charge of Your Marketing
A basic landing page limits your ability to turn lookers into bookers. Often, you get to upload a few images and your logo to go into the generic layout of your campground booking software.
With a customized site, you’re in the driver’s seat. Add email signup forms, promote special events, share Google reviews, link to social media, and more. You can even connect the site to analytics so you know exactly where your reservations are coming from—and what’s working to bring them in – from paid ads on Facebook, to Google search, or from your email newsletter that’s sent out to past guests.
Watch how traffic is getting to your campground website
If you find out a significant portion of your traffic is coming from Instagram, for instance, then you could create a custom landing page for your Instagram “Link in Bio” which allows you to welcome guests from Instagram specifically, and serve them the exact information they need to book a site on your website.
If you’d like to see how we’ve done this, visit our Campground Websites Instagram account and click the link in our bio.
Don’t Miss Out on Revenue on Camping Reservations
When you control your website, you can create a smooth, customized booking experience that encourages guests to follow through and even add extras like firewood bundles, kayak rentals, or guided hikes. And, you never risk your guests being distracted by ads for other campgrounds (yes, that happens with some free sites).
Stay Flexible with your Campground Booking Software
As your campground evolves, a customized website grows with you. Want to add new cabins, launch merchandise, or highlight seasonal events? With your own website, it’s just a few clicks away instead of a bureaucratic hassle. Since with our campground website packages you get to choose custom pages for your website, you always have the opportunity to expand.
If you ever outgrow your current campground booking software, then having a separate website means you can switch to a new reservation system for your campground without affecting the established reputation of your website with Google. Your campground website and your reservation system are two separate pieces that are easily linked together and flexible for your needs.
Own Your Brand—and Your Data
Maybe the most important reason: with a customized website, you truly own your little corner of the internet. You’re not tied down to any one booking platform, and if your needs change, your website, content, and guest data go with you.
Final Thoughts on having a customized website for your campground
While the free website bundled with your reservation system may be a helpful starting point if you have nothing else, don’t settle for a digital presence that sells you short. Investing in a customized website doesn’t just help you get more bookings—it helps you build a brand, connect with guests, and future-proof your business for years to come.
Thinking about making the leap? You won’t regret building a digital home that’s as inviting as your campground itself. Click here to get started on your new campground website.