Know the Cost to Develop an App Like Booking.com

Dreaming of creating a travel booking powerhouse like Booking.com? It’s achievable!

Users look for apps to find hotels, apartments, or unique stays. Seeing the rising Booking.com user base, it’s clear that people look for such apps that offer them comfort in planning their stay and travel ahead.

This has made investors interested in this opportunity and kept them wondering “How much does it cost to create an app like Booking.com?”

The Booking.com-like app development costs can range somewhere between $30,000 to $80,000. There are several elements that include features of the project, complexity, and more that can increase or decrease the project.

But, cost isn’t the only thing; there are several other factors that go into work. Get to know about them through this blog. By grasping knowledge about these factors, you can offer a robust platform that connects travelers with amazing experiences.

Market Overview of Booking.com

Knowing stats will help you to know better about the market. So, let’s get into it:

• Booking.com boasts a consistent track record of profitability, with a net profit of $4.2 billion reported in 2023.
• They cater to a global audience by offering their app in a staggering 45 languages, making travel booking accessible to people from all corners of the world.
• Booking.com prioritizes guest experience by featuring over 350 million verified reviews written by real travelers. This allows others to make informed decisions based on authentic feedback.
• Since 2010, Booking.com has facilitated over 4.5 billion guest arrivals across all types of properties. Notably, over 1 billion of these arrivals occurred in the alternative accommodation segment, which includes homes and apartments. This highlights their diverse selection beyond traditional hotels.

With that, it’s clear that this business model is a hit and people look forward to travel booking apps like Airbnb & Booking.com. Let’s get to know about the development process.

Booking.com App Development Process: Step-By-Step Process

“How to create an app like Booking.com?” This section will answer the most important question.

The app development process requires strategic planning and thorough execution. So, let’s get into the steps:

Step 1: Find Your Niche and Audience

Establish your booking app with the right market app research.

While Booking. Since com is fairly generic, you might opt to go after a niche such as luxury hotels or resorts for the boutique set or budget-friendly hostels and vacation rentals.

It will help you to understand where your app has the greatest impact and it directly converts in tailoring features and efforts of marketing, by focusing on 1 or max 3 at a time!

Target users, on the other hand, are one of those must-haves to research for knowing their likes and dislikes or demands leading to understanding what you should do with your app development process.

This is one of the important steps to create an app like Booking.com, the hard work done in research will pay you up in the future.

Step 2: Data and Partnerships

It is important to create a wide-ranging record of accommodations.

Partnerships with hotels, hostels, and other lodging providers to get granular listings: photos, descriptions pricing… even availability.

To keep users in the loop about what is happening wherever and whenever it happens, an extensive data infrastructure supports to feed of precise and up-to-date information.

Step 3: UI/UX Design

A booking app should be designed considering the latest user-centric design as it would ensure that your mobile application gets all the required success which is needed.

UI/UX Design should be user-friendly and enable visitors to search for lodgings by location, date of stay in the city/area, cost restrictions, and desired amenities. Your listing display should include good images and rich property descriptions.

Make Booking easy with transparent steps and payment. Speed and ease of navigation should be your top priority for optimizing the user experience as a whole.

Step 4: Booking and Payment System

Build a powerful booking engine for clear reservations, cancellations, and modifications. Install reliable payment gateways for secure transactions.

Develop a real-time inventory and availability control system to make sure you avoid overbooking. Think about what payment methods will suit your users. Plus, to build a travel booking app, having customer service support is essential for answering booking questions and solving problems quickly.

Step 5: Choosing the Right Technology

The right tech stack is important for building large and scalable travel booking apps like Booking.com. Popular options include:

• Frontend: React Native, or pure iOS and Android coding.
• Backend: Node.js, or Python for server-side logic and API.
• Database: Use MongoDB or PostgreSQL which stores property data, user info, and booking details.
• Cloud Hosting: For running apps and scale on AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure.

Most importantly, you now need a team of developers who can develop your idea into a solution. To develop an app like Booking.com, you need effective project management and clear communication.

Step 6: Quality Assurance and Testing

You need your testing to be thorough because a user will not like anything other than perfection. Test extensively in the realm of functionality, performance, and security.

Finally, QAT with actual users leads to great improvements. Create a CI/CD pipeline to run arbitrary tests and deploy artifacts for further testing.

Step 7: Launching Your App

In the steps to create a hotel booking app like Booking.com, this is where you launch your app.

Once your app is fully developed and tested, you can choose to submit it on the App Store for Apple devices publish it on Google Play Store for Android devices, or both.

App store review processes can take time, so it’s wise to develop a marketing strategy while you wait for approval. This hands-on approach will help you launch effectively once your app is live.

Step 8: Support and Maintenance

Offer great customer service to answer user questions and address issues immediately through maintenance and support services. You should create a mechanism for feedback to take recommendations from the user and use it in application enhancements.

Make sure that the app is updated; improve on features and user feedback. It will help you to stay updated with the latest industry trends and new technologies which can keep you ahead of your competition.

Keep in mind that creating a successful travel booking app such as Booking.com is a moving target and continues to require dedication and adjustment to grow in the ever-moving landscape of travel.

Features To Incorporate Into Your Travel Booking App Like Booking.com

Features are one of the keystones to drive user engagement. If you have amazing features, users will be more likely to use your app regularly, recommend it to others, and ultimately become loyal customers.

So, here are some features that will be of help:

1] Extended Search Functionality

Search should work dynamically on the travel booking app.

To create an app like Booking.com you should integrate filter accommodation options by location, desired dates, budget range, and property type (hotels/hostels/vacation rentals).

In addition to any other specific amenities you are looking for and guest ratings similar to how we see in TripAdvisor like app development. This versatility helps customers to find their stay of choice easily and painlessly.

2] High-Quality Visuals

It is very important to display properties well with high-quality images in order to impress and convince the users.

The word descriptions are very detailed with amenities and features notes, giving users a full sense of the accommodation. A visually pleasing platform builds User Engagement & Trust.

Many best hotel booking apps like Booking.com, Expedia, Hotels.com, and Agoda are famous for providing complete details about their property.

3] Secure Payment System

Integrating a reliable payment system is crucial for instigating trust among the users which is why it has become a key element in hotel booking app development.

Adding multiple modes of payment, like credit cards, debit cards, and e-wallets makes the customer experience convenient.

After all, user financial information must be protected and transactions conducted smoothly through secure measures.

4] Efficient Booking Management

To create an app like Agoda or Booking.com, a booking system is something you should take care of as it can enhance the user experience.

This system should provide simple reservation, canceling, and modifying capabilities to users the way that confirmation emails and reminders are put together helps to perfect the booking process.

5] Transparent Policies

Trust does not come without a clear policy.

Everything should be outlined as to how those cancellations will work (not very difficult), and 24/7 customer support adds an element of peace. Simply saying, good communication about the terms and conditions of booking is a must.

6] Loyalty Programs

Show appreciation to your loyal customers as a way of maintaining loyalty.

Launching a loyalty program with special perks (discounts, upgrades, early check-ins) promotes repeat bookings and higher guest satisfaction. So, don’t overlook it.

7] Personalized Experience

Customizing the user experience is imperative for differentiation.

Travel inspiration, recommendations tailored to the user’s preferences, and personalized itinerary creation increase satisfaction. Also, one can use this data to better understand user behavior leading to more personalized experiences.

8] In-App Chat

In case of questions such as real-time inquiries, special requests for exceptions, and inquiries about amenities can easily be resolved on the go via innovative chatting.

This feature available within the app can also help individuals stay connected to property owners or managers and clarify any kind of question they may have.

9] Location-Based Services

With the help of GPS technology, location-based services may improve the consumer experience.

Recommending relevant nearby things like places to hang out, restaurants, or even those around transport facilities enhances not only the user experience but also convenience.

10] Social Sharing

Allowing customers to promote your brand on social media by sharing their travel experiences and recommendations can generate awareness for new potential visitors.

You can integrate different social sharing options so someone can post an article and other people using the site will be able to see it.

11] Multilingual Support

Having an app interface and customer service in multiple languages to serve a global audience has become a need of the hour. This promotes inclusivity enabling a pleasant user experience for every traveler across the globe.

Multilingual support allows users of different countries to navigate your app easily and will improve their overall experience.

How Much Does It Cost to Develop an App Like Booking.com?

Looking for “How Much Does It Cost to Develop an App like Booking.com?”

The Booking.com development cost knowingly differs, typically falling within a range of $30,000 to $80,000. However, there are several other elements this price can affect.

Here is a small breakdown of the cost to develop a travel booking app:

Note: The total cost to develop a hotel booking app like Booking.com can be different as per your features and development approach. To get an estimate, make sure to consult with a mobile app development company.

Factors Affecting the Cost to Develop an App like Booking.com

Building a travel booking app like Booking.com can be an exciting venture, but cost considerations are important. The final price can be different based on several factors.

Here’s a breakdown of the key elements influencing your Booking.com-like App Development Cost:

• Basic vs. Advanced Model

An app that can do just the searching and booking along with a user’s account will be less expensive than coming up with enhanced features.

For instance, real-time availability, price comparison facilities, and communication tools support both hosts and users in between them.

Additional features just add to the development time and cost.

• Third-Party Integrations

It’s not wrong to say that third-party integration can enhance the usability of your app.

If you need to integrate with services such as Google Maps for navigation, payment processing apps like PayPal or Stripe, and social media logins this may require more effort which would increase the cost to develop an app like Booking.com.

• Development Approach

If you make sure to develop in their respective platform, iOS, and Android, the costs tend to be higher compared with a single platform app or even a mobile web.

Otherwise, if you are looking for a cross-platform approach, you might save a lot of money but might have to adjust a little bit for performance.

• Development Team Location

Where your development team is located has a large impact on the cost to develop an app like Booking.com. Talents in Western Europe and North America command higher rates than those working out of Eastern Europe or Asia.

So, hiring mobile app developers should be done through detailed consideration.

• UI/UX Design

Clean animation-free design, simple layout, and no custom graphics make the app less expensive to produce.

Whereas, going for some advanced design such as animation, interactive maps, or personalized recommendations requires stronger UI/UX expertise & designing costs.

Even minor adjustments in design can push up the overall cost to develop a travel booking app like Booking.com.

Now, with this out of the way, let’s know about the money-making strategies.

Monetization Models to Develop an App like Booking.com

Transforming your travel booking app into a thriving business requires a well-defined monetization strategy.

Let’s delve into the various methods you can utilize to generate revenue from the Booking.Com-like app, ensuring long-term financial viability.

► Commission-Based Model

This is by far the most prevailing model among travel booking apps.

Every time somebody makes a confirmed reservation on your platform, you get a commission-based payment for it.

The commission rate, usually brokered with various accommodation providers can vary by property type or location.

► Subscription Model

There are many subscription-based apps in the market that offer amazing features for enhancing user experience and providing additional functionalities, you can take inspiration from them.

Consequently, introduce an add-on option for users to access extra benefits. This could be in the form of exclusive deals, discounts, or travel insurance options. This will make the users feel the subscription is worth it.

► Freemium Model

Offer a free version with limited features, but make additional premium features available for a price. This way you can make an offer for free with users before asking them to pay while still earning revenue from people who want a richer taste in experience.

► Advertising

Advertising is a common app monetization strategy for travel booking apps.

By strategically placing ads within the app, you can generate revenue from clicks or impressions.

Relevant ads, such as those for airlines, rental cars, or travel insurance, can enhance the user experience while providing a valuable income stream.

How Nimble AppGenie Can Help You Build A Booking App Like Booking.com?

Travel booking apps like Booking.com are a thriving market, and with the right approach, yours can become a major player.

Nimble AppGenie, the best travel app development company understands the travel industry and the power of user-friendly booking apps. We can be your one-stop shop for building a successful travel booking app like Booking.com.

If you have a top-notch app idea, let us help to shape it into reality.

Conclusion

Building a travel booking app like Booking.com demands meticulous planning, execution, and a deep understanding of user needs.

By combining strategic market research, innovative features, and effective monetization, you can create a platform that competes with industry giants.

Focus on a seamless user experience, secure transactions, and a diverse range of accommodation options to attract and retain customers. Continuous updates and adaptation to market trends are essential for long-term success.

FAQs

Niketan Sharma

Niketan Sharma is the CTO of Nimble AppGenie, a prominent website and mobile app development company in the USA that is delivering excellence with a commitment to boosting business growth & maximizing customer satisfaction. He is a highly motivated individual who helps SMEs and startups grow in this dynamic market with the latest technology and innovation.