Is it Just Me?? (Campground Websites... Or Lack Thereof)

[GraciesDaddy]

For some reason, I just don't trust a campground that does not have a website. If I am here, on RVParkReviews, GoodSam, BigRigResorts, etc., and the website link leads me to RVParkList.com (which lists absolutely NO reviews) I'm left to wonder just how interested the CG owner is in maintaining good customer relations? I mean, nowadays, one can set up a site for free or nearly so... Even Old People (like me) would likely have a grandson/daughter, niece/nephew 'Net savvy enough to put up SOMEthing; even if it's just a few photos, their rates and amenities and things to visit that're nearby. Perhaps a couple of testimonials from previous customers. I firmly believe that a good CG owner wants feedback about their level of service. I also believe that, were I an owner, I'd be bustin' booty to find out who posted that negative review on RVPRs and do whatever I could to make it right! Even Google, nosy as they can be, give business owners the opportunity to respond to customer comments and offer to turn that customer around should they have had a bad experience.

Without a website, all I'm left with is the (usually negative) comments from those who have taken the time to post something online... Even then, sometimes that person can be impossible to please, anyway; or have a bone to pick with that particular CG. I have even found myself in the habit of going to GoogleEarth to see what a not-so-well-rated CG's neighborhood is like! I look to see if I can tell if there ARE older, permanent campers parked there! Sometimes, the campgrounds do reflect their surroundings and look like a collection of meth labs. Sometimes, they look like oases of calm amidst chaos. Sometimes, I can't tell one way or the other. Looking DOES affect my choices, though. Not always in a good way.

Sorry to be so long-winded about this. I just get rather passionate about such things when there is such a very, very simple solution to them.

[NYCgrrl]

Deb and Ed M wrote:

easy doesit wrote:

As a previous poster commented, I also use the satellite view of google maps and zoom in to get a true idea of the place and surroundings - such as railroad tracks, interstate highways, or cattle feed lots - none of which are ever mentioned on a park's website.

Agreed! Google Earth is my go-to view of where I'm heading.

An "Internet Presence" is a double-edged sword: yes, it helps people learn about and find you; but there are peripheral websites like Yelp and Manta, (among many!) that allow trolls and competitors to publish unflattering reviews; and many people aren't even aware that those are out there in cyberspace. There are actually people called "Internet Image Enhancers" who will make sure you are squeaky clean, but they don't work cheaply.

I can understand folks who simply don't want to wade in the mire that can be the internet - and I'll still give them my business.

Don't know about Manta much(thanks for the heads up!)but when I use sites like yelp and travel advisor I tend to go for a ''majority rules'' type of mind set. I also appreciate and respect more those websites where owners are allowed to give their viewpoint of a situation and the web owners attempt to weed out the trolls and professional web image enhancers. This allows me to ignore the "they were mean to me" posts and attendant websites like www.attisbad.com.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

easy doesit wrote:

As a previous poster commented, I also use the satellite view of google maps and zoom in to get a true idea of the place and surroundings - such as railroad tracks, interstate highways, or cattle feed lots - none of which are ever mentioned on a park's website.

Agreed! Google Earth is my go-to view of where I'm heading.

An "Internet Presence" is a double-edged sword: yes, it helps people learn about and find you; but there are peripheral websites like Yelp and Manta, (among many!) that allow trolls and competitors to publish unflattering reviews; and many people aren't even aware that those are out there in cyberspace. There are actually people called "Internet Image Enhancers" who will make sure you are squeaky clean, but they don't work cheaply.

I can understand folks who simply don't want to wade in the mire that can be the internet - and I'll still give them my business.

[OldRadios]

mdcamping wrote:
Was at a campground in VT in 08, one of the nice's places I've been to date. No web site then and still no web site. Barrewood Campground...guess there will be always exceptions....I'm no teckie either. 🙂

Mike

No web site but they have a facebook page:
Barrewood Campground

[Veebyes]

As a big user & contributor to RVPR the site is only as good as the contributors make it.

There are plenty CGs out there not listed on RVPR. There are also plenty of CGs out there which don't even have a website. Very often small towns have small CGs. The only way to find out about them is to go through the town website & look for a page dealing with recreation. There are some gems but they take searching for.

[mdcamping]

Was at a campground in VT in 08, one of the nice's places I've been to date. No web site then and still no web site. Barrewood Campground...guess there will be always exceptions....I'm no teckie either. 🙂

Mike

[GaryWT]

Just because a link on rv park reviews does not lead to a campground website does not mean the campground does not have a website. Many links are old or the poster type them in wrong.

[winnietrey]

beemerphile1 wrote:

winnietrey wrote:

...But without a decent website, how will people find you in the first place? and actually show up....

Probably the same way we did before Al Gore invented the internet.

Phone book, maps, tour guides, word of mouth, signs.

What are these ancient tools of which you speak? Phone book, what is that? If they are under 30, if it does not come up,on a smart phone,and on page 1 or 2 of google. The business will not be found, by them

As for us old guys, we may use the old ways, but many of us will also go to the website, to check it out further.

Not so much for some place, we are just passing through. But for sure for a place we may want to spend a week with the grand daughter

Just kidding with you about the above, but I do feel the world has changed. And any business without a decent website, places themselves,
at a real disadvantage, with the competion.

[beemerphile1]

winnietrey wrote:

...But without a decent website, how will people find you in the first place? and actually show up....

Probably the same way we did before Al Gore invented the internet.

Phone book, maps, tour guides, word of mouth, signs.

[ncrowley]

Web sites are very cheap and the web hosting companies have free tools so you can create a basic page or two. 1and1 hosts sites for $5.99 per month that includes an application to build web sites for those with no knowledge of web page building. I think RV parks should have a basic page with their contact information, address, and information about the amenities at the park as a minimum. Although the lack of a web site will not stop me from going to a park, it makes it less likely that I will go there. I figure that if they are a business and do not take the small amount of time and money to have a site, they are not as serious about it as they should be.

[Sea_Dog]

We do not even begin to look for a campground until an hour before we intend to stop.
usually check Woodall's then after finding one that sounds suitable,
close, reasonable,
we then see if it is in the Garmin.

I do not ever recall booking ahead.
As we normally only spend the night,
unless we hear banjo music,
We take what is offered.

[cKarlGo]

moonlightrunner wrote:
A good campground website includes: I don't care about seeing the bathouses, laundries, pools/spas and clubhouses. I have my own bathroom.

I was surprised to discover that there are people with RVs that still get up in the middle of the night and trek across a campground to go to a bath house.

[moonlightrunner]

A good campground website includes:

Current Rates
Park Rules INCLUDING what they do not accept
General info (site sizes, site amentities)
Info pertaining to late check-in

Glowing reviews I ignore. I use RVparkreviews for reviews. I don't care about seeing the bathouses, laundries, pools/spas and clubhouses. I have my own bathroom. I spend as little time in the laundry as possible (I have a wonderwasher and often just wash my meager amount of dirties in it) and I don't do pools and clubhouses. My pet peeve is why campgrounds don't keep on top of their emails! I have quite wasting my time with emails to campgrounds. One took over a year to respond to a basic question I had about their campground. I have stayed at many campgrounds that did not have websites. Some good, some bad. Same mix as the website campgrounds. A website is a basic method of advertising. To me, it is the best bang for your buck when it comes to advertising dollars. And a simple website isn't all that costly.

[CA_Traveler]

Pogoil wrote:
When I bought our first RV. over 25 years ago we would look at the Good Sam book and pick the best rating. Now and have for many years we pick a convenient location and make sure their are not constant 1 and 2 ratings and stay at most any park unless it just is not safe.

X2

I also use AllStays RV & Camp to locate CGs. I really like the map view to see if it's located near my route. This is about a 100 times more useful than the GS book maps. It contains basic information including website URL but not a rating. If interested I can tap the phone number for further information. It's data base is updated frequently so it's been reasonably accurate. Just another useful tool.

[OldRadios]

I have found that directions, pictures and a campground map are the most helpful. With that said, most campground sites seem to post photos of the facilities and a lot of pictures of kids activities and not much else.

What I would like to see is a photograph of each site or at least a photo of a sample of each type of site. It's not that hard to do. I've been to some web sites and all they show is a bunch of photos of their office, laundry, and clubhouse. Who cares? I want to see where I'll be parked.