So, you run a business and you want to move from just being a basic online business and make the transition to be an engaging, revenue-generating mobile application? Have you done your research? Before you get started, let’s put our heads together on a few questions.
As the idea of exploring new exotic destinations pops in your mind, what is that one thing you desire most? Certainly, a perfect place to stay at an affordable cost, isn’t it?
Yes. The question seems off-track? It’s actually not. Stick with me here.
The answer to these questions is your inspiration for building a mobile application.
The Airbnb mobile app can serve as a great blueprint for designing our own mobile app across virtually any business line. Let’s take a look at why.
The app is no less than a perfect solution to the queries it was supposed to address. So, if you are planning to build a mobile application and be as perfect as Airbnb, you’re at the right place.
I’ll start here with a mobile application model similar to Airbnb but a unique one. Airbnb uses an extensive number of tools and technologies. You’ll obviously need to find the technology that fits your particular business model, but generally you’ll see where the principles apply.
Before you get started, make sure you research the best mobile app developers to build a mobile application the same quality level as Airbnb and include the following listed features to gain a competitive edge.
Let’s begin.
Essential Features Required to Reach the Quality Level of Airbnb
Table of Contents
Lesson-1: A Well Sorted Admin Panel Is Must!
When you are building a mobile application, keep in mind that there are two different categories of users.
- Customers: The front-end users who would be navigating through the website and selecting the services they want to utilize.
- Admin: The back-end users who are updating the site, adding products, enhancing content, etc., as well as buyers who login to view their own dashboard.
A great product needs a greater product design blueprint. Let’s take a look at the table below for how features break out for the different user types.
Now that you’ve got the technical part laid out, we need to focus on the user-friendliness piece of it. The integration of the following features will make your app user-friendly.
User-Friendly App Holds the Key
Lesson – 2 Admin Authentication Lets You Dive in the Customers’ Wishlist
Admin authentication is required for both types of app users – traveler and host. The users are supposed to sign up from their registered email IDs to start using the platform and get access to its functionalities. All a user needs is an easy on-boarding procedure.
A social media login feature is a great way to give the user an easy way to get started.
Knowing your customers’ requirements is important. This can help you make a quick jump to success. When we shop, we often have a pattern that we follow. It is an unconscious pattern, but almost a unique way of shopping that we follow each time we shop.
When you are working on developing your mobile application, make sure you have something related to admin authentication so that it is just your team that can track the patterns and use them in the marketing strategy further.
Lesson – 3: Leave No Stone Unturned to Provide the Solutions
For Airbnb, the host gives a brief idea about the accommodation and amenities they are offering to the guest. He can add/update the property details under this section and can upload pictures of the same. It may also include property type – whether it’s just a single room or a huge villa.
Customers find solutions to all the potential problems that may arise on the tour.
When you work on your mobile application, make sure you research well and find out all the potential queries your customer may have. Then integrate into your mobile app all the features that answer these queries.
A good app needs to address customers’ problems with haste.
Lesson – 4: Let Them Decide How They Want to Pay
This is something really important. Integrating a few payment gateways is critical to success. A lot of apps and business websites restrict their payment methods to a particular type and thus see a churn. It is better to let your customers feel the business is for them and provide a variety of payment options to choose from.
Lesson – 5: Make Use of Their Contact List
Social media integration helps your customers promote your application on a social media platform. The integration of social media allows the users to share the listing with their friends and also invite other hosts and users. This is a free marketing strategy that you can follow and promote your business.
A lot of businesses even share the stories of their clients on their social channels thus making it a more profitable collaboration.
Lesson – 6: Take Care of Your Customers with Gentle Reminders
If you track a visitor who has added a few products in their cart but did not make any purchase, a gentle reminder would be a great way to turn this traffic to a lead. You can also ask them if they have any issue and provide a personal chat option that would increase the probability of the purchase being made.
Lesson – 7: Ask Them Their Budget!
Let your customers decide how much they want to pay. According to their priorities and requirements offer a few quotes they can choose from. For Airbnb, the traveler can apply a filter and sort the accommodation as per their preferred price. Your client should be able to get a few quotes to decide what features of your business suit them the best and pay accordingly.
Lesson – 8: Customize to Make Them Feel the Solution Is Exclusively for Them
Notifications
This section updates users regarding their booking details. It also sends push notifications to guests about the ongoing offers.
Language Translator
The integration of this feature makes the application convenient for the user as the information can be translated into their desired language.
Currency Converter
Adding a currency converter API makes the payment procedure easy and seamless for a user. This feature displays the payment value in the chosen currency.
Geolocation
Mapping the listed location and locating your users requires a great deal of effort. This feature allows travelers to search for accommodation as per their convenience.
Geolocation has made it easier for businesses to reach their potential clients and mark their presence.
Coupon Control System
Coupons earned through referral codes can be used at the time of checkout.
CMS Integration
CMS integration is essentially required to manage the content displayed on the application and making it SEO-friendly.
Wrapping it up
So, now you know what it takes to be the solution to every query that your customer may have. If you are ready to roll into production, just be prepared with the right budget and reach out to a mobile app development company (or your internal team if you’re lucky enough to have one) now.
How much does it cost to build a mobile application at the quality level of Airbnb?
The cost of app development is determined by considering a number of factors. Let’s learn, what they are:
- Type of Platform (Android, iOS or Windows)
- API integration cost
- The investment decision on maintaining the data security of the mobile application
- The number of persons working on the project (Basic or Extended team)
- Use of the different technology stack
Once all the above factors are considered, the cost can be determined by analyzing your business model and estimating the number of hours required to build an app like Airbnb.
Voila!
I hope now you can understand it takes sweat and blood to be at the top. So get ready to take risks and see wonders happen. Understand your customer and rush to answer all their queries with a perfectly designed and developed mobile application today!
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