Whether you’re a frequent traveler or not you must have heard of Airbnb once in your lifetime.
If not, that’s fine. We’ll inform you.
In simplest words, it’s an amazing platform for travelers as well as for house owners.
From a traveler’s standpoint, they get their hands on affordable accommodations with complete peace of mind.
On the other hand, property owners can display their properties in front of thousands of travelers effortlessly and get them booked instantly.
Till now, we’ve shed light on what Airbnb is.
In the upcoming part, we’ll provide insight into the business processing of Airbnb which is one of the reasons behind the success of Airbnb.
However, the second thing that makes Airbnb successful is the world-class mobile application they offer to their customers.
So before we start discussing how to build an app like Airbnb, let’s discuss what Airbnb is and how the company works in detail.
What is Airbnb?
Airbnb is a commonly used and prevalent platform for travelers to find cheap properties to stay in.
Simply put, Airbnb is a collaboratively created sharing economy which means both property owners and guests utilize the platform for their respective purposes.
At this point, you should have some understanding of Airbnb.
However, before we start a discussion about how to build an app like Airbnb, what features are required, and the technical part; it’s indispensable to comprehend the platform’s logic.
How Does Airbnb Work For Guests?
Step 1: First the person downloads the Airbnb application and registers or logs in as a guest.
Step 2: Once they are registered in the app, they are requested to complete the required information.
Step 3: After they have completed the form, they can access the main content where they can see and choose their desired property. They can take assistance from the advanced search filter options like price, location, and many more.
Step 4: Once they have selected their desired property, they can request a booking, and if confirmed they receive a confirmation.
Step 5: Upon confirmation, they can pay the price using the payment method provided by the platform.
How Does Airbnb Work For Hosts (property owners)?
Using the app as a host is a bit tricky as compared to the guests.
Step 1: The property owner is required to sign or log in as the host.
Step 2: Once the registration is successful, the property owner can list their property on the property listing section. The hosts are required to submit the necessary information like the location, price, type of apartment, and many more. The information should be correct and reliable.
Step 3: The next step is to upload the images of the property. The images have to be clear. Therefore, the landlords are requested to hire professional photographers.
Step 4: Once the property is listed on the listing successful. The owner will start receiving requests in a few days. The hosts can also chat with the guests and discuss things.
Step 5: If everything is settled between the parties, the hosts can confirm the booking.
5 Ways Apps Like Airbnb Make Money?
You can generate revenue in multiple ways by making an application for Airbnb.
A few of the approaches are mentioned below.
1. Property Listing Fee
The easiest method to generate revenue from an application like Airbnb is to charge a fee whenever a new property is listed on the application.
For instance, if the hosts want to list the property on the property listing. They are required to pay a fee to the platform.
2. Commissions from the Hosts
The app owner can make a good amount of money whenever a property is rented through the application. Usually, the fee is predetermined.
3. Transaction fees from Travelers
Another amazing way to monetize the app is through transaction fees. Whenever travelers book the property and pay for it using the payment method. They can charge transaction fees from travelers.
4. Advertisement and Marketing Fee
Often the property owners and landlords run advertisement and promotion campaigns in the application to attract more customers. App owners charge them a fee for the advertisement. Moreover, showing the specific property at the top of the listing which we call a sponsored campaign is also one of the best ways for the app owner to benefit financially.
5. Property Photography Fee
One of the unique ways you can earn money is by making an app like Airbnb by offering a photography service to the hosts.
Airbnb only accepts images of the property taken professionally with the help of a professional photographer.
That being said, you can offer the service photography service through the app and charge accordingly.
5 Things That Make Airbnb Application Successful
If you’re wondering what makes Airbnb so successful.
You should go through this section.
By reading the points that we’ve jotted down in this part of the blog you can make an application similar to Airbnb or maybe even more successful.
1. User-Friendly and Interactive Interface
One common fact that you’ll find in every successful and popular mobile application is a simple yet captivating interface.
That being said, the same thing makes the Airbnb application successful too.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re a technological jerk or not. You won’t face any challenges using the app.
If we talk about the Airbnb interface specifically both hosts and guests can perform their actions confidently without facing any complication.
Key Takeaway: The thing to learn for you is that if you’re building an app like Airbnb make sure the interface is captivating yet engaging and simple so users can navigate through the app effortlessly.
2. Smooth and Less Complicated Application Navigation
The second point that makes Airbnb victorious and achievement-oriented is the smooth and less complicated navigation which allows users to complete the action without any trouble.
If we talk from the traveler’s perspective their primary action includes renting or booking a property.
Simply put, from making an account to searching for the property to making payment for it; every action can be carried out without hindrance in the Airbnb application.
On the other hand, hosts can also list their properties in the Airbnb property listing without a hitch.
The point here is that while making an app like Airbnb make sure to eliminate every problem that can potentially create problems for the users.
3. Quality Photographs Make a Difference
The next thing that makes a difference is the quality of the photographs.
Before we discuss what photographs have to do with the application development.
Let’s first discuss what is high-quality photographs.
High-quality images are high-resolution images taken by a professional photographer.
One of the top things that Airbnb is known for is the excellent shots.
Travelers when looking at the best-in-class images of the properties book the property.
Moreover, exceptional photography is one of the reasons why Airbnb has a very low app abandon rate – which ultimately makes the app successful.
What you can learn here is when you’re making an app like Airbnb ask the hosts to upload High-definition pictures of the property by hiring a professional photography service.
4. Trust Worthy and Reliable Features Only
Airbnb places a strong emphasis on trust and safety.
If trust, dependability, and protection are missing from the apps like Airbnb then the app will potentially fail.
Therefore, it’s imperative to gain both guests and hosts’ trust by practicing and implementing things that increase trust.
One of the ways to strengthen trust is by integrating features such as user reviews, verification processes, and secure payment options.
These measures build trust among users and contribute to the platform’s credibility.
5. Innovative Features
Airbnb never misses a chance to surprise its users by rolling out new and innovative features that enhance the user experience.
By introducing engaging features and functionality they never let their users become bored with their mobile application.
Additionally, by continuously introducing new and trendy features the walk with the fresh technologies that will be common in the future.
Simply put, the platform’s adaptability and willingness to evolve have contributed to its ongoing success.
Must-Have Features in Your Airbnb Mobile Application
Apps like Airbnb are some of the most feature-rich and functionality-packed applications in the world.
Below you can go through some of the features that should be in your Airbnb-like application at all costs.
Necessary Features in Your Airbnb Mobile Application – For Guests
- Signup/Login: Guests can use the signup and login to create a profile.
- Profile Creation: This feature allows users to complete the profile by providing all necessary information like name, gender age, and more.
- Advance Search: Guests can save time and energy by utilizing the search option in the application. You can make search features more advanced and cutting-edge by integrating filters. Filters such as price, rooms, space, number of guests, facilities, etc help guests to find suitable properties effortlessly.
- Wish List or Favorites: Wish list or favorites enables users to save the property to view later. Guest use this feature for two reasons. First, when they save a property they can revisit it by using this feature. Secondly, the user can mark it on the wish list for future reference.
- Maps: This feature is extremely important in your app if you want to build an app like Airbnb. Guests and travelers can use this feature to see the location of the property and amenities around it.
- Booking: Once the guest finds the desired property they can use the booking features to book the hotel.
- Payments: After the booking is done, guests can pay the rent through the app by using the payment methods. Therefore, having secure and well-known payment platforms is important.
- Review: It’s an amazing feature to have in your application like Airbnb if you wish the app to sound more reliable and trustworthy. Guests can leave comments and feedback about the app and the rooms or property they are staying in.
- Chat: Most of the guests don’t book a room or property directly especially if they have some doubts about the property. They want to discuss more about the property and looking for additional information. By using the chat option they can get in touch with the property owners and get the issues resolved.
Necessary Features in Your Airbnb Mobile Application – For Hosts
- Signup/Login: The hosts can sign up for the app by providing their initial personal information. This process has to be followed the first time only. When the hosts enter the app a second time they can use login instead of sign up and use their user ID.
- Profile Creation and Management Account: If the hosts or property owner wants to proceed to the next step which is the property registration. They are first required to complete the account details.
- Property Registration: Using this feature hosts can register their property into the property listing. Hosts can also add the required information about the property like location, price, specifications, and more.
- Manage List: Hosts must change or update the property information if they have made any modifications to their property. Therefore, property owners can use the manage list feature to make updates frequently.
- Booking list: This feature allows hosts and property owners to manage all their previous, current, and upcoming bookings.
- Booking Management: Besides managing the booking, this feature enables hosts to confirm or decline the booking request from the guests.
- Messaging and Communication: Hosts and property owners can reply to the queries of the guests by using this platform.
- Account Details: Booking deposits and payment transactions can be organized and managed by using the account detail feature.
How To Build An App Like Airbnb? 6 Steps Guide
From research to deployment, we’ll discuss every necessary step in building an application like Airbnb.
We know that building an application like Airbnb is a challenging and cumbersome task.
However, if you follow the steps without alteration as mentioned in this guide, you’ll make a successful Airbnb clone app in no time.
So without wasting any time let’s get started.
Stage 1: Planning and Research
Behind every successful application, there’s always a good amount of time and effort spent on research and planning.
The research will help you to get your hands on the information that will be valuable during the whole application development process.
Moreover, you’ll discover the information that will help you to come up with an app that might be even more successful than the Airbnb application.
If you want to develop a successful application like Airbnb make sure to spend substantial time and effort on competitors, target audience, and market research.
Step #2: Find The Application Development Company
Once you’ve spent noteworthy time and effort on research and planning.
The next step is to hire a hotel booking app development company or any custom application development services that have experience in building applications like Airbnb.
You can hire any app development firm that has long-standing experience in building mobile applications.
But the ideal thing would be to consider a company that works exclusively in building apps like Airbnb.
Step #3: Create an Engaging, Creative, and User Friendly UI/UX Design
The UI/UX designing is one of the most significant steps in the entire app development process.
If you’re looking for a great design that aligns with your expectations, make sure to work with the development team.
When you take an interest in the UI/UX design phase you take care of the things that make the design successful.
If we look at the design of the Airbnb application we learn that the interface should be easy to navigate, user-friendly, and captivating.
If the design is missing any of these things, the app will fail in the market.
Step #4: Development
This step is probably the most challenging part of the app development process.
During this step, the developers write the code and build the application’s front end and back end.
Moreover, some features are integrated into the application.
You can also start by creating an MVP.
This allows you to launch the app with some basic features and receive user feedback.
Later, you can integrate the advanced features, complete the app development, and launch the app officially.
Step #5: Testing
Once the app is developed it must go through a comprehensive testing phase that detects and eliminates every bug and error.
If the app is launched directly without any testing it may be launched with some bugs and errors which will be the greatest reason the app will fail in a few days or months.
Step #6: Launching
Once all the bugs and errors are removed, you can launch the app safely.
Lastly, make sure to follow the guidelines and come up with a strategy before deploying the application.
What Tech Stack is Required to Develop a Vacation Rental App like Airbnb?
To build a successful app like Airbnb you should be aware of a handful of technologies, frameworks, and programming languages.
But, having awareness or familiarity with these technologies and frameworks won’t be enough.
You should have long-standing experience in using some of the technologies if you’re building an app like Airbnb on your own.
- Front-end Technologies: Include HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and relevant frameworks for a seamless user interface.
- Backend Technologies: Utilize languages like Python, Ruby, or Node.js along with frameworks such as Django, Ruby on Rails, or Express.js for robust server-side development.
- Database Management: Choose reliable database systems like MySQL, PostgreSQL, or MongoDB to handle data efficiently.
- Cloud Storage: Implement cloud storage solutions like AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure for scalable and secure data storage and retrieval.
But if you’re hiring a team or company to build an app like Airbnb; the hired team would look something like this.
- Business Analyst
- Project manager
- UI/UX designers
- Developers (iOS and Android)
- Quality Assurance Specialist
How Much Does It Cost To Build An App Like Airbnb?
The cost of making an app like Airbnb depends on numerous factors like the complexity of the app, number of features, supported platforms, developer’s location, and many more.
So let’s discuss some of the factors in detail.
1. Complexity of the Application
The more complex an app, the higher the cost.
Because, when you build a complex app it takes more time, effort, and resources.
Moreover, there are thousands of other challenges that the development team experiences throughout the development journey.
Therefore, the cost of a complex app is usually higher than that of a simple app.
2. Number of Features
Another factor that affects the cost of building an app like Airbnb is the number of features.
The more feature-rich an application is, the more time, effort, and resources it will take to integrate the features into the app.
Simply put, an app with a limited number of features will be more affordable than a feature-packed application.
Also, the complexity of the feature matters.
Complex features break the bank.
3. Supported Platform
Creating native apps for both Android and iOS is much more expensive than building a cross-platform application.
Building native apps for multiple platforms requires the development team to repeat the process multiple times.
On the other hand, by using the cross-platform approach development team can build Airbnb-like apps for multiple platforms through a single code base.
4. Developer’s Location
Hiring a mobile app developer or a development team from countries like the US, UK, or Australia can cost you a lot more compared to countries like Russia, India, and Pakistan.
5. UI/UX Design
A high-level of app interface with cutting-edge designs, graphics, and animation comes with a heftier price tag than a simple interface.
FAQs
How Long Does It Take To Make An App Like Airbnb?
The time to build an app like Airbnb is based on multiple factors like the complexity of the app, number of features and platform, and many more. However, if we talk about the MVP version of the application it can be developed in 2-3 months. To make a fully functional app with advanced features it can take more than 6 months.
How Much Does It Cost To Develop An App Like Airbnb?
The cost of developing an app like Airbnb depends on multiple factors like the complexity of the application, number of features, developer’s location, and many more. The cost of making a simple app like Airbnb with minimum features supporting a single platform is $15,000-$20,000. To make a complex app with advanced features supporting multiple platforms costs $50,000+.
What Do You Call Apps Like Airbnb?
Apps like Airbnb are commonly called “house rental apps” or “online vacation rental platforms”.
Who Is The Main Competitor Of Airbnb?
The main competitors of Airbnb are Booking.com, Vrbo, HomeAway, and FlipKey.