Here are three words that should be music to anyone who owns or manages a campground: You have options. Several companies offer software solutions designed to help you manage your campground operations or your reservations. But with that array of options at your disposal, it can be difficult to choose which kind of software (let alone which company’s software) is the best fit for you. In this blog, we will compare the pros and cons of campground management software vs. campground reservation software to help you decide which is best for you.
Let’s get real: You’re busy. More than 10 million people camped for the first time in 2020, and fresh data shows the number of new and returning campers stayed high throughout 2021. That influx of new and returning business is incredibly exciting! And sure, it might be a little daunting. But it doesn’t have to be, because help is out there.
As you read this, there are dozens of available software solutions just waiting for you to pick them. These services can help you manage your campground operations or the reservations from your returning favorites or those first-time folks eager to see what this whole camping thing is about.
Now, you may be wondering, “My system works just fine; why should I change anything?” To which we say, “Fair enough!” After all, you know what’s best for your campground, and we’ll never tell you that you must do this, that or the other to run a smooth ship. That said, the whole point of these blogs is to give you ideas, options and opportunities should you ever want to make a change. We’re not here to instruct; we’re here to educate (and, most of all, help you become as successful as possible.)
On that note, should you be interested in exploring new ways to strengthen or streamline the ways you run your campground, let’s get started. Here are the pros and cons for campground management software vs. campground reservation software.
Campground Management Software
Think of this software as a support system for logistics and the nuts-and-bolts of your operation.
There are two questions you should always ask when considering a new software solution:
How will this make my life easier, and
How will this enhance my revenue?
Think of this decision as an investment: You are choosing to buy a certain system out of hope that it will make a positive impact on your bottom line, and if it doesn’t, then it clearly wasn’t worth it. That’s why it’s critical to keep a close eye on the features of every single campground management option available for you.
For instance, not all management systems will have built-in reservation programs. That’s a major con right there. They may have plenty of pros, though, including pricing tools that help you determine where you are yielding maximum revenue and where cutbacks or savings may be possible. You may also find value in a management system that includes industry reporting and third-party integration systems, thereby allowing you to merge other platforms you use into a single, accessible software system. For instance, NewBook’s campground management system offers some third-party integration options and connections to travel agents, which could help you manage your listings and drive more folks to your site. However, its connections to online travel agencies (OTAs) are not as robust as some of their competitors. Likewise, while RoverPass is often lauded for its marketplace feature, it, too, has received some criticism for its limited level of third-party integrations. Marketplaces might be hailed as a great thing for some, but there are also cons to them such as the ability to find another campground when trying to book yours.
Another key facet of any valuable campground management system is the software’s reporting capabilities. All of the fun bells and whistles can be great to play with, but if you don’t know if your campground is actually running how it should, then what’s the point of buying this software?
For that reason, you don’t want a simple, bare-bones software system that will only tell you who’s coming, who’s going and how you can save some money. Rather, you deserve the kind of intuitive system that tells you how your campground shapes up across the industry. In-depth, robust reporting is a must.
Campground Reservation Software
While management software helps your campground run smoothly, reservation software helps you track arrivals, departures, and lengths of stay.
If you think back to the earliest days of your background, you might remember that managing the comings and goings of each and every camper was a tough-as-nails logistical challenge that probably consumed more time than you had to offer. Fortunately, the software wizards of our world have come a long way in crafting the kind of reservation software that industry veterans and newcomers will covet. Similar to campground management software, there are plenty of options available if you’re on the market for a new reservation system. Our biggest recommendation is this: Find a seamless software system that allows you to manage both your campground and your bookings with as much support as possible. We’re willing to bet you didn’t get into this biz to troubleshoot technical issues or be mired in data all day. That’s why it’s vital for the software system you choose to have 24/7 support: Campspot does, but Astra, which will help you with your website, does not.
Meanwhile, it’s equally important that your software system is aesthetically pleasing. It’s like the sunrise: You’re going to be seeing it every single day, so why not have the best view? True to its name – and just like Bonfire – Campspot was designed specifically for campgrounds, so its sleek and pretty design won’t look like it was designed for hotels. However, Campspot – and every other software system we are aware of – does not offer the all-inclusive point-of-sale (POS) system that will make your work life as easy as possible. If you have a general store or similar amenities on your campground, this function will be incredibly valuable.
So is there a software that does it all - Online booking, reservation management, park management AND has a built in POS system? Yes, Bonfire. Bonfire is the only software system that allows you to manage the POS system at your park for items sold in your general store, and our software also itemizes each kind of transaction into its own distinct category. On top of that, it also provides an online booking page, reservation management and much more.
In short, those are the kind of features you should seek out when deciding which reservation software to purchase. It may seem like a relatively simple, straightforward service, but just like running your campground, the details are key.
If you want to know more about Bonfire's easy-to-use, all-in-one campground management and reservation software, please reach out to us at howdy@letsbonfire.com. To learn more about the pros and cons of the campground marketplace we mention above, check out our recent blog on that very topic.
