Why NOW is the time to start planning for the 2022 season.
No, we’ve not lost our minds (well, not yet anyway…). The peak summer holiday season may be in full-swing but your customers are already thinking about next year. And you should be too.
On the back of Brexit and the global pandemic, the surge for UK Staycations was predicted and it hasn’t failed to deliver, with millions choosing to enjoy the very best the UK’s holiday hot spots have to offer.
The good news is that it appears the appetite for UK Staycations next year is as strong as ever, with tens of thousands of people already searching (and booking) their 2022 holiday.
Data from Google Trends – an exploration tool which allows you to see what audiences are searching for in real time – shows an ever-increasing interest in 2022 holidays (see graphs below).
But is your holiday park or campsite best positioned to capture this audience? We’ve put together some handy pointers to help get you in pole position for 2022 bookings
Websites
Arguably the most important weapon in your arsenal… consider your website as a gateway into your holiday park or campsite; a window that allows potential customers to visualise themselves holidaying at your site. If your website is flat, uninspiring and does little to sell your location or offering then it won’t be driving as many bookings as it could be.
You need a website that is both visually striking with clear calls to action and easily digestible content. Remember, most of your visitors will be viewing your website on a mobile phone or tablet, so check how your site looks in the palm of your hand.
Autumn / winter is a popular time to revamp your site… but start planning it NOW. Bespoke sites, especially, can take months to get live, such is the workload involved – and you want your shiny new website ready to take bookings and grab a slice of the action as soon as possible.
Online Booking
If your website and marketing material has done the hard work of attracting a customer to your website and they’re ready to part with their hard-earned cash, doesn’t it make sense to have an online booking system the facilitates their purchase, rather than hinder it? So often we come across online booking systems that fall way short in this area...
When was the last time you browsed your website and followed the online booking journey, as a customer would (especially on a mobile phone)? Do you find it easy to use? If it’s difficult, clunky or at all confusing then you need to consider a change. The online booking process should be centred entirely on a simple, streamlined customer journey. This will help prevent people abandoning their purchase.
If you’re not currently offering any online booking then you are missing out on hundreds of bookings! Most people browse and book in the evenings and weekends… just when you’re not around to pick up the phone.
Marketing
From Google Ads and Facebook Ads to social posts and email marketing, there’s such a variety of methods available to you to help drive traffic and conversions on your website that it can be hard to see the wood for the trees.
We always recommend setting out a loose marketing plan for the year, covering what, where and when you will communicate your marketing messages to your audience. Work out a rough budget and remember that you will spend more in some months than others – there’s no point throwing money at Google Ads when very few people are searching for the keywords that will likely drive traffic to your site.
If the word ‘marketing’ brings you out in a cold sweat, then our team can help you formulate and carry out a plan for your business.
Here's how we can help you...
Our marketing services
Email Marketing
There are few more cost-effective methods of marketing to the masses than via email. Not only will it save you a few pennies compared to other forms of advertising but it also puts you in complete control of the message, the audience you are targeting and exact time at which you want to communicate your message.
Find Out More
Pay Per Click (PPC)
It can be very frustrating to see your rivals sitting proudly at the top of Google’s rankings, while your park or campsite languishes in the depths of search engine oblivion. If you want an instant solution to wrestling back some exposure for your business then PPC in the form of Google Ads is a great option.
SEO
SEO. A tiny acronym that can strike fear into the heart of even the most website-savvy of individuals. Getting your website to the top of Google's rankings can be a difficult process - but can achieve fantastic results. Our team can help your website perform to the best of its abilities in Google's search engine rankings.
Print, Design & Brochures
In this digital age it can be easy to put all your eggs in one digital marketing basket. But don’t be fooled! Print is still very much alive and the holiday brochure should is still be a huge part of your marketing mix.
Research shows that printed material is more memorable than digital. Where a Facebook post can be quickly scrolled past, a postcard, flyer or brochure will be picked up time and again – and by different members of the family.
The team here at Pitched are experts in all aspects of website design, marketing, print and online booking for holiday parks and campsites. If you’re planning a change ahead of the 2022 season, why not speak to us today? Simply click here to drop us a line or call 01726 418118 to discuss your plans today.
Don't just take our word for it...
Nicky Sumpton, Flower of May Holiday Parks
With the help of Pitched we have a comprehensive website which includes a booking system that makes it very easy for guests to book. They have also helped us with implementing our digital marketing and social media marketing plan, creating holiday and holiday home sales brochures amongst other things.
