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Frequently asked questions

General questions

1. What is vanlifezone?

Vanlifezone is a community-based platform dedicated to sharing vanlife and overland stories, adventures, and camping resources. It serves as a virtual gathering place where members exchange information, share ideas, and learn from each other's experiences. It provides resources, a map, articles, and recommendations to help travelers navigate the lifestyle.

2. Is vanlifezone free to use?

Yes, most of the resources on Vanlifezone are free to access, including the map, journal articles, recommendations and magazines. Businesses pay a small fee for location and product listings.

3. Do i need to create an account to access the site?

No, you don’t need an account to explore most features, but you might need one for specific submissions or interactions.

Vanlifezone journal & magazines

4. What is the vanlifezone journal?

The Vanlifezone journal is our digital blog where we share inspiring vanlife stories, travel tips, and lifestyle articles. It’s updated regularly with fresh content from our team and community.

5. Does vanlifezone offer a magazine?

We have previously published several magazines, both in print and as downloadable PDFs. However, we have currently paused magazine production to focus all our efforts on expanding our digital platform.

6. Can i still access the old magazines?

Yes, our past magazine issues are available online as PDFs here. They feature timeless content and insights from the vanlife community.

Map & locations

7. How often is the vanlifezone map updated?

The map is regularly updated with new data, businesses, and services. Existing listings are verified for accuracy. Some data is sourced from open platforms like OpenStreetMap, where 100% accuracy cannot be guaranteed.

8. Can i suggest new features to add to the map or give feedback on issues?

Yes, you can give feedback on issues and suggest new location types or features via our feedback form.

9. What types of locations are featured on the map?

Our map includes public restrooms, drinking fountains, national parks, Natura 2000 areas, low emission zones, camper van rental services, garages, outdoor- and camping stores, and campsites relevant to the vanlife community.

10. Will there be other types of locations in the future?

Yes, as we’re continuously updating and improving our services, we intend to add other location types and more resources in the future.

Community submissions

11. Can anyone submit a story to the vanlifezone journal?

Yes, we encourage submissions from anyone with an authentic vanlife story, travel tip, or unique perspective to share. It’s a platform for the community, by the community.

12. How can i submit my story to the journal?

Go to vanlifezone.com/submit and follow the steps.

13. If i submit to the journal, is there a chance for my article to be printed in the magazine as well?

Yes, although the production of our magazine is currently paused, we plan to resume it in the future. When we do, it’s possible that stories already published in our journal or submitted but not yet published could be selected for print.

14. Are there guidelines for submissions?

Yes, submitted content should focus on vanlife or overland travel and be original, engaging, and well-written. High-quality images to accompany the story are also encouraged. You have complete creative freedom regarding the content. However, politically overly controversial topics, hate speech, or defamatory content are not allowed and will not be published.

15. Will my story be edited before publication?

Yes, we may edit submissions for clarity, grammar, and style consistency while preserving your voice and message.

16. How long does it take for my story to be processed and published after submission?

The processing time can vary depending on the quality of your story and images. Generally, we aim to publish submissions as soon as possible, ideally within two weeks. However, in cases where we receive a high volume of submissions or need to spend more time refining a story, the process can take longer.

17. Will i be paid for submitting my story?

No, unfortunately we don’t have the resources to offer monetary compensation for story submissions, but you'll gain exposure through links to your social media and website on our platform and our social media. We plan to introduce a reward system in the future, benefiting both new and past contributors.

18. Can i submit a video instead of an article?

Yes, we encourage you to submit a 4-10 minute video showcasing yourself, your van, and your adventures. We will publish it on all our social media channels and our website, including links leading back to you. To learn more, check out this article: Vanlifezone introductions - we want to share your van video!

Vanlifezone recommends

19. What is vanlifezone recommends?

Vanlifezone recommends features curated reviews of products, tools, and events that are valuable for vanlife enthusiasts. It’s designed to help you make informed choices for your lifestyle and will continue to grow over time.

20. Can i suggest a product or category for the recommends section?

Yes, feel free to suggest products or new categories that you believe would benefit the vanlife community. Contact us via our website or email.

business inquiries

21. How do i list my business on the vanlifezone map?

You can list your business by purchasing a bundle here. A small monthly fee applies for maintenance and to keep your listing active.

22. What are the benefits of listing my business?

Your listing will be featured on our interactive map, making it visible to thousands of users searching for vanlife-related services. Additionally, your business will have a stand-alone SEO-optimized page that can be easily found online. Depending on your package, we may also feature your business in our digital journal and share it on social media, boosting your visibility and reach.

23. Will other users be able to change the content of my listing?

No, your listing is exclusively yours to edit. However, we reserve the right to edit or remove content from your listing if it violates our terms of service. In the future, users will be able to rate and comment on location listings, fostering greater transparency and community engagement on our platform.

24. How can i add my product to vanlifezone recommends?

To add your product to Vanlifezone Recommends, read this article about: Listing your products on Vanlifezone Recommends. We review each submission carefully to ensure it aligns with our community's needs and values. Products that are featured receive dedicated promotion across our platform and social media channels.

25. Where can i contact vanlifezone?

The best way to reach us is via email at office@vanlifezone.com or marketing@vanlifezone.com. While we do our best to respond to social media messages, email remains the most reliable communication channel.

Partnerships & supporting vanlifezone

26. How can i support vanlifezone?

You can support Vanlifezone by engaging or sharing our content, or by supporting us financially. Contributions help us maintain and grow the platform for our community.

27. Can i collaborate with Vanlifezone as a content creator or brand?

Yes, we welcome collaborations! Reach out via marketing@vanlifezone.com to discuss partnership opportunities.

Technical & account

28. I found an error on the website or map. What should i do?

Please report any issues in this form or by emailing office@vanlifezone.com. We value feedback and aim to keep our information as accurate as possible.

29. The site isn’t loading correctly. What can I do?

Try refreshing your browser, clearing the cache, or using a different device or browser. If problems persist, contact our team.

30. Is vanlifezone.com mobile-friendly?

Yes, our platform is optimized for mobile devices, allowing you to access maps, articles, and other resources on the go.

31. Can i use vanlifezone as an app on my phone?

We don’t currently have a dedicated Vanlifezone app. However, you can easily access any page from the Vanlifezone platform in your browser and select “Add to Home Screen” in the settings. This will pin the page to your home screen, allowing you to access it conveniently, just like an app.