Do you wonder how to make a site like Airbnb? If you're planning to build an Airbnb alternative site, you've arrived at the right place.
Developing a reservation platform like Airbnb or HomeStays is not difficult anymore. Inside WordPress, it would be easy to build a WooCoomerce single-store site and then turn it into a multivendor marketplace. So, you can allow property owners to rent out their spaces to travelers looking for a place to stay.
Typically, online rental marketplaces consist of many complex functionalities. Such as filter searching, geolocation, multiple payment gateways, booking process, live chat, and others.
But luckily, there are many advanced tools and third-party plugins available to make the process easier.
In this article, we'll show you an easy and affordable way to build a rental marketplace with Dokan. All you need to follow the guide step by step and you'll be ready to launch the next Airbnb.
Let dive deep to create an Airbnb alternative site instantly:
Building An Airbnb Alternative: What You Should Consider
A peer-to-peer marketplace connects travelers and local property owners on a single platform. In recent days, travelers prefer to rent an apartment instead of staying in hotels. This trend makes the rental marketplace popular over the last few years.
Airbnb lets people rent or lease accommodations, apartments, hotels, resorts, etc. for a limited time period. Starting the journey in 2011, they got immense popularity within a short time period.
From a one-page website it makes it's journey to an internationally known company valued at $31 bln by 2019.
People also love this concept as it gives a home alike hospitality at a lower price. On the other hand, the local proprietors can also earn money by giving their places for rent. It's a win-win situation for both parties. And a reliable and profitable income source for marketplace owners also.
Hence, you can easily turn your WordPress site into a marketplace with any third-party plugin. Dokan has already proved itself as a reliable tool for empowering the multi-vendor marketplace with ease. It helps you to build your own marketplace seamlessly. And you can start earning money from your vendors immediately.
Prerequisites For Launching An Airbnb Alternative Site
You need the following attributes to start a virtual renting marketplace on your WordPress site.
- WordPress (Free)
- WooCommerce (Free)
- Dokan Light (Free)
- Dokan Pro (For Advanced Functionalities)
- WooCommerce Bookings plugin (Pro)
- Dokan bookings module (Pro)
- An Appropriate Theme for Dokan
Initial Configuration for Your Airbnb Alternative Site
Make sure you've done with all the basic configuration before getting into the main customization of your rental marketplace. Such as-
WordPress
At first, you have to buy your own domain and hosting from your respected provider. Then, install WordPress on your server. It is quite simple to configure your very first WordPress site. You can easily do it by yourself. For any further guidance, you can go through this guide on How to install WordPress.
WooCommerce
After that, log in to your personal WordPress Dashboard with your personal credentials. Now, it's time to activate essential plugins for your sites. First, you have to install and activate the WooCommerce plugin. It will help you to establish an online eCommerce store. Now, you are ready to sell products or services from your eShop.
Dokan Free and Pro
You have to install Dokan to turn your single store into a multi-vendor marketplace. Dokan light will satisfy all basic needs to run your marketplace smoothly. But the subscription to Dokan Pro will let you explore all the advanced features. It will take your marketplace to the next level. Besides, all the upgraded features you will get 24/7 live support with Dokan Pro.
Note: You have to activate the Dokan light first to enable Dokan Pro.
WooCommecre Booking Plugin (Pro)
Platforms like Airbnb should have facilities like reservations, appointments, or rentals. WooCommerce Booking Plugin lets you convert your products or services into a bookable resource. Therefore your customers can easily rent or reserve their desired service from your eShop.
Dokan Bookings Module (Pro)
Now you have to enable the booking features for your marketplace as well. Dokan WooCommerce Bookings allows vendors to create bookable products. Also, it helps customers to customize their booking orders appropriately.
To make this feature activate firstly navigate to your WP dashboard→ Dokan→ Modules. Then turn on the toggle bar of WooCommerce Booking Integration.
Important fact: Dokan Bookings is developed to enhance the WooCommerce Bookings for a multivendor marketplace. So, we suggest you overview the WooCommerce Bookings documentation and definitions first before starting. We have just made the features compatible with a front-end interface. Its interactive usability makes the user experience easier.
An Appropriate Theme for Dokan
Dokan is compatible with almost all the popular themes available in the market. So, you have the opportunity to pick the right theme that fits your brand. You can check over here for Dokan Compatible Themes.
As you are planning for an Airbnb alternative site, then you should prefer a simple design with easy navigation. It should allow your customers to perform their transactions smoothly. An attractive theme design will encourage people to take effective action. It will help to build their trust in your brand as well.
Moreover, it should be easily manageable for you and your vendors also. In short, your theme should match your business requirements completely.
How to Create an Online Platform Like Airbnb Using Dokan
Now, you have all the elements in your hands to build your multi-vendor marketplace. Now, follow the below steps-
- Configure General Setting of Dokan
- Allow Property Owners to Register on Your Marketplace
- Upload Bookable Products (Rooms) as An Admin or Vendor
Step 1: Configure General Setting of Dokan
Before starting, configure your Dokan plugin with all the essential settings.
Go to, WP Admin→ Dokan→ Settings.
Here you'll get options to set up some crucial terms and conditions. Such as-
- Select business category
- Allow property owners to display their products
- Create necessary tags
- Choose the new product/room status
- Select withdrawal methods
- Set minimum withdrawal limit
- Set commission terms and rates.
This optimization will help you to run the rental marketplace smoothly. You should change the settings according to your store requirements.
Now, you are completely ready to open your marketplace for vendors. You should promote your site accordingly to reach the target sellers largely.
Moreover, you should always try to keep the procedure easy and simple to attract more vendors to your site. Dokan is a perfect solution to help you in this manner. With Dokan it requires only a few clicks to add and edit bookable products indeed.
Check our step-by-step guide to building a free eCommerce marketplace using WordPress.
Or you can check the video tutorial below–
This is how you can build a multi-vendor renting platform. Similarly, you can also create a marketplace for Clothing, Beauty Products, Software, Electronics, Music store, Hotel bookings, Handmade products, and so on.
Start Earning With Your Airbnb Alternative Site Today!
Dokan expands the usability of WooCommerce. Now you can create a marketplace instead of a single store. And you need only a few elements to do this along with the Dokan plugin. You can resolve all the complexity easily while creating an Airbnb alternative site.
In this modern era, you can be the owner of a wide marketplace like Airbnb without owning any personal property. Also, it lets you earn money online by spending a few dimes. However, WordPress makes site development easy for everyone. And the highly functional plugins make it possible to create anything with WordPress.
Despite being a professional you can also develop your marketplace in a single day. You can create a platform to bring related service providers under the same roof. And earn money with a commission from each sale. Dokan will help you in all aspects from developing a marketplace site to earning money.