Welcome to OpenCampground!

Getting Started Guide for New Customers

Hello and welcome! We're excited to help you get started with our platform. This guide will walk you through setting up your business step by step. Let's begin!

1. Add Users: Start by adding people who will help run your business. You can add admin and support staff. Make sure that your user credentials are secure since you have personal information related to your guest. 
   
1. Go to Manage Users and add a user
2. Set Up a "Site Type" for Your Space: A "Site Type" in outdoor hospitality refers to the specific category or classification of a Space within a property. It defines the key characteristics and amenities of a particular Space, helping guests understand what to expect.
   
1. Go to Settings
   
2. Click on "Site Types"
3. Common site types might include:
   
1. Tent camping sites
   
2. RV sites with full hookups
   
3. Cabin or cottage rentals
   
4. Glamping tents or yurts
   
5. Backcountry or primitive campsites
   
6. Group camping areas
   
3. Add Pricing for Your Space: It's time to decide how much your services or products will cost. In OpenCampground, you can set daily, weekly, and monthly pricing for our spaces. As you become more familiar with how our system works, you can even setup pricing for Seasons.  Clear and upfront pricing helps set customer expectations and streamlines the booking process.
   
1. Go to Settings
   
2. Click on "Prices" 
4. Create a New "Space": A "Space" in the outdoor hospitality industry refers to a specific area or unit that can be rented or reserved by guests. This could be a campsite, RV spot, cabin, glamping tent, or any other defined outdoor accommodation area. Each Space has its own unique features, amenities, and pricing.
   
1. Go to Settings
   
2. Click on "Spaces"
5. Create a "Rig Type: Rig Type refers to the category of camping equipment or recreational vehicle a guest will use during their stay. This includes motorhomes, travel trailers, fifth wheels, pop-ups, and tent campers. Properly defining Rig Types in your system helps match guests with compatible sites based on size requirements, necessary hookups, and clearance needs, ensuring appropriate space assignments and a smoother reservation process
   
1. Go to Settings
   
2. Click on "Rig Type"
6. Set Up Email and Guest Notifications: Add your email address to the system to stay connected. Then, choose how you want to notify your guests about bookings or updates. Effective communication is key to providing great customer service, so consider what information your guests need and how often they should receive updates.
   
1. Go to Settings
   
2. Click on "Email"
   
3. Next click on "Mail Messages" and customize each automated message
   
7. Turn On "Online Reservations" (optional): Enabling online reservations lets guests book your services directly through the platform. This feature is a great way to attract more customers and make it convenient for them to do business with you. It also helps you manage your bookings more efficiently.
   
1. Go to Settings
   
2. Click on "System Options"
   
3. Choose "Allow Online Reservations"
   
4. Choose whether you want to require payments or have the guest "pay at checkin"
   
8. Set Up Payments: Finally, choose how you want to receive money from customers. Pick a payment provider that works best for you and your business needs. Consider factors like transaction fees, payout schedules, and supported payment methods to ensure a smooth financial operation for your business.
   
1. Go to Settings
   
2. Click on "Payment Configuration"
   
3. Priority Payments is our default provider and best for U.S based customers. CardConnect is best for customers in Canada