Campground owners often assume they need a completely new website when they want to improve online reservations. In reality, most websites are perfectly serviceable - it’s the booking method attached to them that usually needs attention.
You can modernise bookings without redesigning your entire site.
Below are four common approaches campgrounds use to upgrade their booking experience, along with the straightforward pros and cons of each.
Option 1: Embed a Widget
This involves placing a small embed snippet onto an existing page, similar to adding a map or a video.
Best for
- Campgrounds that want the quickest upgrade with minimal disruption
- Sites that support embedded code blocks
- Owners who prefer low maintenance and automatic updates
- Anyone wanting guests to stay on their domain during booking
Pros
- Doesn’t require a full site rebuild
- Works with most website platforms
- Keeps guests on your website
- Quick to add if your site supports embedded code
- Updates happen automatically without ongoing maintenance
Cons
- Visual style may not perfectly match your site
- Flexibility depends on the specific widget
- Some website builders don’t allow embeds
Option 2: Link to a Hosted Page
This method simply places a “Book Now” button on your site that directs visitors to a dedicated booking page.
Best for
- Campgrounds that want a fast, low-effort solution
- Websites that cannot embed custom code
- Owners who want zero maintenance handled on their end
- Anyone who cares more about function than matching design perfectly
Pros
- Very quick to implement
- No structural changes to your existing site
- Compatible with every website platform
- Low maintenance, as updates happen externally
Cons
- Booking occurs off your main domain
- The design may look different from the rest of your website
- Slightly less seamless for guests moving between pages
Option 3: Use a Plugin or App
Platforms like WordPress or Shopify allow plugins and apps that add booking functionality directly inside your existing site.
Best for
- Campgrounds already using WordPress, Shopify, or similar platforms
- Owners comfortable managing plugins or working with a developer
- Simple booking needs that don’t require campground-specific features
- Sites that need the booking flow fully integrated into existing pages
Pros
- Integrates directly into your site’s pages
- Often inexpensive upfront
- Simple to install on supported platforms
- Familiar workflow if you already use plugins
Cons
- Many plugins aren’t designed for campground-style bookings
- Updates can break the booking system
- Flexibility varies widely between plugins
- Maintenance and troubleshooting fall on you or your developer
Option 4: Build a Custom Application
Some campgrounds consider a fully custom reservation system built from the ground up.
Best for
- Large parks with highly complex or unusual booking requirements
- Campgrounds with significant budgets and long-term development support
- Owners who need full control over every detail and workflow
- Businesses willing to manage their own hosting, updates, and fixes
Pros
- Tailored entirely to your unique requirements
- Full control over every detail
- No reliance on third-party systems
Cons
- Often significantly more expensive than expected
- Timelines frequently grow as complexity becomes clear
- Requires ongoing updates, bug fixes, and hosting management
- Creates long-term dependence on a specific developer or agency
- Costs can continue to rise as new needs emerge
Which Option Makes Sense?
Each approach has benefits and trade-offs, but for most campgrounds, the lowest-stress and lowest-maintenance choices are the simplest:
- Embed a booking widget if your site supports code snippets
- Link to a hosted booking page if it doesn't
Both options minimise disruption to your existing site, avoid the ongoing maintenance burden of plugins, and automatically stay up to date without requiring constant attention.
They offer a practical way to modernise bookings without rebuilding your entire website.
