Operating a campground is more than buying a plot of land and advertising open spots. The infrastructure needed to maintain its operations are as technical as any other business. In fact, a campground may need more services than most others because of how different each day can play-out.
There are normal routines when running a campground from accounting and check-ins/outs to setting events and restocking necessities. There are many other routines requiring software and services to operate smoothly. This includes the tools, services, and resources you’ll want to provide patrons as they enjoy a wonderful time in the great outdoors.
The Technology Behind Campgrounds: Resources to Operate a Campground Effectively
The market for campgrounds is booming.
More than 1 million new households experience camping each year with an estimated 13 million people camping at least once or twice annually. There’s certainly money to be made with running a campground. Let’s look at some of the tools and resources that’ll make it possible:
Campground Management Software
Campground Management Software provides an all-in-one suite of tools and business services. This is a top-level tool intended for commercial campgrounds with a high patron count and operations.
Campground Management Software bundles:
- Online Reservations
- Inventory Management
- POS Systems
- Integrated Marketing
One could explore these tools for multi-site operations. Or, consider its potential when franchising the campground business. These tools are also compatible with RV parks and state/provincial parks.
Accounting & Legal
Your plan to grow the campground into a legitimate business, means integrating the right accounting and legal services.
Accounting services, as with any business, ensures you’re on the right track to profitability while paying all-important taxes and keeping your payroll accurate. Legal services will protect the business as campgrounds are naturally prone to accidents and potential troubles.
Which services are helpful?
- Quickbooks
- LegalZoom
These two provide a wealth of helpful tools and training programs to master accounting and all legal aspects of your business. You’ll manage payroll, payments, and taxes with a few, single clicks. Legal troubles can be avoided when you tap into LegalZoom’s vast library of forms and waivers, part of what you should have every patron sign.
Digital Marketing
Campgrounds are a competitive business because any amount of acreage and word-of-mouth can turn a plot of land into a desirable camping destination! Like with all forms of booking reservations, most people go online to find campgrounds and place reservations.
Digital marketing services include a broad array of tools and resources:
- Website/Content — Create and share content published to your website to attract visitors discovering your campground through online search. This online platform also becomes your sales funnel, enticing visitors to reserve camping spots and manage accounts.
- Social/Automation — Social media platforms provide a real-time platform to share ideas and content with fans and followers. These platforms are fantastic for feedback, too. Social media tools, like Hootsuite, let you manage social accounts, schedule, and track performance with ease.
- PPC/Display — Pay-per-click and display advertising gets your sales message in front of targeted users based on Web queries, and time spent on relevant websites. These ads, when paired with optimized sales/landing pages, can spur dramatic business growth and referrals.
Day-to-Day Features
Finally, you have the day-to-day features helping the business remain operational — these include:
- Payment processing
- Time tracking
- Team management
- Data storage and backup
- Planning/Design
- Customer service
A business may choose these vital software services a-la-carte through several providers, or use an all-in-one suite fully integrating these features behind a single dashboard. There’s no right or wrong between a-la-carte and suites if they present the tools needed to operate effectively.
Lots of Tech to Get Away from Tech!
It’s interesting, isn’t it? How technology is involved with running a campground — the quintessential spot to get away from the tech and constant messages from work life. That’s just how business goes.
Consider which tools and resources you’re using at your business that are halting growth and triggering setbacks. Find the right management software that works for you!