|
All visitors to your Web site are potential customers.
Welcome to the Internet! The next social revolution has been introduced to the world, and it offers opportunities to anyone with a computer and an Internet connection to find out just about anything about anything. With all the multimedia capabilities available on the Web, it's easy for our senses to become overwhelmed, or our computers to become overburdened. Don't you just hate Web sites where you can't find the content amongst all of the ads? Or Web pages with graphics that take forever to download? Or how about the pages that you can't seem to escape despite all your efforts to click your Back button? Not all technology is appealing to all visitors and the first rule of thumb for Web designers should be to take into consideration your audience and what first impression you want to leave with them.
Isn't it great to be able to sit at your computer and make vacation plans? To read about and see pictures of places we've always wanted to visit? To people who like to camp it has become possible to find camping destinations we would never have before located. But, because of either the lack of a Web page, or because of a poorly designed one, many campgrounds are still going unnoticed. For all you campground owners, that means it's time to join the Internet camping community and design an attractive Web page to lure visitors to your campground. Here are some things you should consider:
Why a Web page for my campground?
- More and more people are referencing the Internet to help make their travel plans.
- A Web page allows you to offer more details than a phone book listing, or even an ad.
- You can publish photos and give visitors a visual display of your campground and its facilities.
- It can be used to assist customers with maps, contact information, and site updates.
Where is your campground?
First and foremost, put the street address of your campground on the first (and preferably every) Web page. I can't tell you how many requests I get to list campground Web sites and when I visit them I can't find their address. Many people use addresses in trip planner programs, so, if you just provide a mailing address, like a PO Box, visitors may look elsewhere since they can't plan a travel route to your campground. It's not a bad idea to provide a simple map of nearby major highways and intersections.
What amenities are available?
This is your opportunity to describe what creature comforts and attractions your campground has to offer. Give details that might be of interest to RVers, tent campers, family campers, retirees, handicapped campers, etc. Mention nearby attractions, scheduled activities, and scenic wonders.
Web site Dos and Don'ts
- Do use graphics and photos on your welcome page.
- Don't use large photos; remember, not everyone has a fast computer or connection, so give them the choice of viewing your photo accomplishments on a separate gallery page.
- Do provide an email address for information requests.
- Don't forget to provide your off-season mailing address and/or phone number, if you have one.
- Do use a menu or other navigation means for visitors to find everything on your site.
- Don't forget to provide your Web site URL in all correspondence.
In Conclusion
A Web page is a chance for owners to showcase their campground. Make it a friendly and informative experience for visitors who may be considering your campground for their next camping trip. Be sure to let them know where you are, how to get there, how to contact you, when you're open, how much it costs, what activities are available, and how much fun they're going to have when they get there. Build a Web site that will be as enjoyable to visit as your campsites!
|
