How To: Send One-way texts in your Admin Site

Summary:

The One-Way Texting feature in Campspot's admin site allows you to send SMS messages to guests quickly and efficiently. This feature ensures you can provide important updates or notifications to guests, including event communication, park-wide alerts, and more.

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Step-by-Step Guide: Sending One-Way Texts

Sending a One-way text within your Admin Site can be done very quickly and efficiently. This tool is only available for Arrivals and Guests in the Park. Follow the steps below to complete this process:

Step 1: Select Who to Send the Message

1. On the Booking page, navigate to the Front Desk tab in the top menu.
2. Select list: This feature is only available for guests on the Arrivals or Who's In the Park lists.
3. Click on Send Message.
4. Select who will receive the message based on your existing confirmed reservations:
   1. Guests in the Park - Message will be sent to guests currently in the park, based on their Check-In and Check-Out dates.
   2. Arrivals - Today - Message will be sent to guests with an arrival date of today, excluding guests with a "Checked In" status.
   3. Arrivals - Custom - Send messages to guests with confirmed reservations arriving within a specified date range.

5. Choose the type of message you want to send:

   • Transactional: Essential updates related to the guest’s reservation or park operations (e.g., check-in instructions, safety alerts).

   • Promotional: Marketing or promotional messages (e.g., upcoming events, offers).
     Only guests who have opted in for the selected type will receive the message.

The image below shows the New Text Message modal where the above steps must are completed. 

Step 2: Compose and Review Your Message

1. In the text box, draft your message. SMS messages are limited to 139 characters.

Step 3: Send the Message

1. Review your message for accuracy.
2. Once ready, click Send Text Message to dispatch the message to the guest’s mobile number.
   1. If an edit is needed, click Edit Message to return to the previous screen.
3. You can view texting history on a Guests Profile under the Message History tab.

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Guest Opt-in process

Guests can opt-in to the type of messages that they wish to receive during the reservation booking process or through their Order Details page after the reservation has been confirmed. 

The image below shows the guest opt-in functionality during the reservation booking process. As noted on the image, there are two places to opt-in. 

The image below shows the guest opt-in functionality after reservation confirmation on the order details page. 

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Key Information:

• Text Message Limits: Each SMS is limited to 139 characters.
• Phone Numbers: Messages are sent to the primary mobile number associated with the guest’s profile.
• Cost: Each text message sent costs $0.04.
• Delivery: Messages are sent from a toll-free number, ensuring broad deliverability across the U.S., Canada, and internationally.

Important Notes:

• This feature only supports one-way communication. Guests cannot reply to the messages.
• To use this feature, ensure you have the correct user permissions for sending guest messages.
• This is an opt-in feature. For more details on enabling it, click here to learn more: Campspot Text Messaging: Setup Guide & FAQ.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Can I schedule messages in advance?

No, the one-way texting feature does not currently support scheduled messaging. Check out our Integrations page to learn more about other solutions for enhanced texting options. 

Q: Who can I send messages to?

You can send messages to guests currently in the park, guests checking in today, or guests scheduled to arrive within a specific date range.

Q: What if a guest opts out of text messaging?

If a guest replies STOP to any text, they will no longer receive messages for that reservation.

Q: Where can I review texts sent to a guest?

To view texts sent to a guest, navigate to the Guest Profile, click on Message history. On this tab, you can view messages sent including:

• Message
• Date / Time Sent
• Sent By
• Sent Status (including notation for guests who have selected to opt-out of texting)

Q: Why are we required to have separate opt-ins for Transactional and Promotional messages?

Regulations (like those from mobile carriers and bodies like the FCC) require businesses to capture distinct consent for different types of SMS communications.

Prior to late 2025, single opt-in covered all messages, but this no longer satisfies the current standards. By implementing separate opt-ins, we ensure regulatory compliance, reduce legal exposure for your business, and give your guests greater transparency and control over the messages they receive.

Q: What is the difference between Transactional and Promotional SMS consent?

The difference lies in the purpose and guest expectation.

• Transactional SMS provides essential, service-related information about an existing reservation or guest stay (e.g., check-in details, emergency alerts). Guests expect these messages as they are tied directly to their current booking.
• Promotional SMS is used to market, advertise, or encourage additional purchases (e.g., discount offers on future reservations), or add-on promotions (like a a sale in the camp store).

Q: What is the risk if my campground does not comply with the consent requirements?

The primary risk is suspension of your texting capabilities.

While the liability to comply rests with the sending business (the campground), mobile providers (like Twilio, who powers SMS for us) strictly enforce these rules. If a customer reports your number for abuse due to unconsented promotional messaging, your phone number may be suspended, preventing you from sending any messages—including critical transactional texts—until the issue is resolved. Following the separate opt-in process is the only way to mitigate this risk.