Secret Site Feature Helped Build Airbnb Like App

When I set out to create an Airbnb like app, I studied every aspect of their platform to understand what makes it so successful. One ‘secret’ feature stood out to me that I believed could be the difference maker.

In this article, I’ll break down how focusing on user profiles helped take my clone to the next level. By lowering barriers and boosting trust between members, it became the foundation for enabling 12 key experiences that fueled explosive growth.

Guest Profiles: Building Trust from the Start

Right from account setup, I knew user profiles would be crucial if strangers were to feel comfortable staying in each other’s homes. Airbnb sets the bar here through verified IDs and detailed profiles.

My clone followed suit with robust yet streamlined signup flows. Members uploaded government IDs and linked verified social profiles for identity assurance from the start.

From there, an about section asked open-ended questions to encourage personality while optional connections to LinkedIn and Facebook imported career details and mutual friends.

This helped establish credibility and familiarity before any interactions took place. As one user stated:

“Seeing the host’s smiling face along with their background gave me peace of mind. I no longer feared staying in an unfamiliar place alone.”

Robust profiles set the stage for lowering barriers between guests and hosts alike.

Photo Feedback: Communal Improvements

To further boost listing quality, I took inspiration from photo reviews on sites like Yelp. On each property image, users could now comment constructively.

Over time, thoughtful additions like “This bedroom could use better lighting” or queries like “Is there a closet in here?” came to light.

This enabled hosts to iteratively upgrade spaces based on real feedback. As one upgraded their photos:

“New pictures with curtains and a desk lamp resulted in a 20% booking increase!”

Meanwhile, encouraging comments benefitted all. Soon, photo streams became collaborative showcases attracting quality guests. Checkout: https://zipprr.com/airbnb-clone/

Neighborhood Guides: Discovering Local Gems

To infuse listings with genuine neighborhood character, I collaborated closely with hosts and locals. Together we curated insider guides of the best bites, sights and insider tips.

Robust area guides provided immense value for exploring guests. As one user noted:

“Booking based on the detailed neighborhood guide. Can’t wait to try that hidden taco shop!”

This further differentiated accommodations by championing authentic community experiences beyond four walls.

Instant Book with Thoughtful Approval

Allowing instant reservations addressed usability issues. However, maintaining host calendar control was also crucial for risk management.

My solution showed provisional bookings to hosts for quick approval. Those approved automatically confirmed reservations. Rejected requests simply reverted to inquires.

This balanced user convenience versus host peace of mind. As an early host shared:

“Being able to vet guests and still offer instant book boosted my weekly revenue 25%.”

Thoughtfully weighing all perspectives delivered win-wins for both hosts and quests.

Host Best Practices: Supporting All Sides

To foster a thriving community, I knew founders alone couldn’t service all users indefinitely. So I invested in collaboration tools.

A moderated help center articles archive leveraged host experiences for the benefit of all. Topic tags optimized discoverability across search and browse experiences.

Meanwhile, an ideas platform harnessed collective creativity. Proposed features or concerns received community feedback before development prioritization.

As the site grew, this holistically elevated all members through cooperative support networks where no question went unanswered.

In-App Messaging: Personal Experiences

While phone/email sufficed for basics, I recognized in-app conversations could further personalize interactions at scale.

An unobtrusive messenger allowed pre-booking queries, preparation details during stays and reviews afterward – all contained privately.

For large property managers, this brought structure replacing scattered communications. One partner shared:

“The messaging system allowed us to provide White Glove treatment across 200 listings while streamlining our workforce.”

Thoughtful messaging transformed impersonal transactions into memorable localized experiences.

Automated Payments: Frictionless Commerce

Barriers throughout the transaction journey directly impact booking rates. So I prioritized integration of automated one-click payments.

Options now covered all major cards, local e-wallets alongside bank transfers – tailored per region. Additionally, recurring and customized invoicing went live.

According to one superhost:

“Adding localized payment gateways removed friction. Now 70% of our bookings are one-tap transactions!”

Automation succeeded in focusing user flows purely on service rather than ancillary processes.

Neighborhood Highlights: Community Partnerships

To foster two-sided network effects, I sought out vetted neighborhood ambassadors – often local hosts or business owners themselves.

They curated highlighted listings showcase popular areas using insider community knowledge. In turn, this drove bookings their way while promoting neighboring small enterprises.

As the coffee shop highlighted beside a guest house shared:

“Being featured as a neighborhood pick boosted our weekly sales 15% from new visitors!”

Collaboration was the secret to scaling value for all stakeholders locally.

So in summary, the foundation of user profiles paired with enabling collaborative experiences established trust from the outset while pushing quality standards. This series of thoughtful features holistically focused on delivering joy rather than just transactions alone.

Friend Requests: Social Proof & References

With a base of active users, I realized leveraging warm introductions could further reduce friction in the reservation process.

The ‘Friend Request’ feature allowed existing members to invite trusted contacts. These appeared as vouched references increasing confidence for both sides.

For example, one user said:

“Requesting my coworker as a friend resulted in a last minute booking. It was like staying with family!”

This grassroots validation from within personal networks became a huge driver of new bookings.

Dashboard Analytics: Optimization Fuel

To sustain growth, digesting platforms usage insights was crucial for addressing pain points or new opportunities.

So I invested heavily in backend analytics accessible to all teams. These provided:

  • Booking and request volumes by location/amenity
  • Conversion rates throughout the guest journey
  • Task completion times across support channels
  • Feature usage habits and abandonment points

For a developer, they revealed:

“Analytics exposed slow loading calendar views on mobile – a quick fix boosted bookings 15% that quarter.”

Data-driven optimization kept services thrilling and relevant through continual enhancements.

Ongoing Feedback Loops: Evolving Gracefully

No platform evolves in a vacuum – only through integrating member perspectives. So I maintained multiple feedback channels:

  • Surveys immediately post-booking and stay
  • Community discussions and moderator highlights
  • Roadmap forums outlining future plans
  • 1:1 video consultations with high-volume partners
  • Anonymous feedback forms for reported issues

By humbly listening and applying learnings, over time the product matured in tandem with its users’ needs. As the head of customer experience noted:

“Acting on sentiment caught early allowed us to address dissatisfaction before churn. This is key to our 99% satisfaction rating.”

An culture of collaborative improvement secured long-term engagement and trust.

In summary, it was the relentless focus on empowering genuine human connections throughout the entire experience that I believe helped scale my Airbnb clone beyond expectations. Authentically prioritizing the user experience remains my north star to this day.

Conclusion

In closing, focusing on user profiles, community collaboration, convenient transactions and personalized connections proved pivotal in scaling this Airbnb clone app. Empowering genuine interactions across the platform lowered barriers and boosted trust between all members. Data-driven optimization then fueled continued growth. Most importantly, authentically prioritizing the human experience at every touchpoint appears to be the secret to building enduring marketplace platforms.