Introduction
Campgrounds that add online booking consistently see significant increases in reservations—often 30-50% more bookings. Here's why and how.
Why Online Booking Works
Availability 24/7
- Guests book when they're excited (evening, weekend)
- No waiting for office hours
- Impulse bookings captured
Reduced Friction
- No phone tag
- Instant confirmation
- Self-service convenience
- Book in 2 minutes vs. 10-minute phone call
Guest Preference
- 70%+ of travelers prefer online booking
- Younger demographics expect it
- Aligns with how they book everything else
The Numbers
Typical improvements after implementing online booking:
| Metric | Before | After | | ------------------- | -------- | ------------------------------ | | Total reservations | Baseline | +30-50% | | Weekend bookings | Strong | +20-30% | | Weekday bookings | Weak | +50-75% | | Booking after hours | 0% | 30-40% of total | | Average lead time | Short | Longer (more advance bookings) |
Making Online Booking Work
Essential Features
- Real-time availability
- Secure payment processing
- Instant confirmation
- Mobile-friendly interface
- Clear site descriptions and photos
Implementation Tips
- Prominent "Book Now" buttons
- Simple date selection
- Show availability clearly
- Accept common payment methods
- Send immediate confirmation
Common Objections
"I'll lose the personal touch." You can still be personal—automated confirmations can include your personality, and you save time for meaningful guest interactions.
"Guests will have questions." Good FAQs and clear descriptions answer most questions. Phones remain available for complex inquiries.
"I'll lose control." You set the rules—pricing, minimums, policies. The system enforces them automatically.
Key Takeaways
- Online booking meets guest expectations
- 24/7 availability captures bookings you'd otherwise miss
- Implementation pays for itself quickly
- Personal service and online booking aren't mutually exclusive
Keepr's online booking is designed for campgrounds—intuitive for guests, powerful for owners. Start booking online at campreserv.com