How to build a website like Outdoorsy

The success of the online marketplace Outdoorsy can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, it taps into the growing trend of experiential travel and the desire for unique and adventurous experiences. By offering a platform for people to rent out their RVs and campervans, Outdoorsy provides a convenient and affordable way for travelers to explore the great outdoors. Additionally, the platform's user-friendly interface and robust safety measures, such as insurance coverage and verified renter profiles, instill trust and confidence in both renters and owners. This, coupled with a wide selection of vehicles and a strong community of outdoor enthusiasts, has helped Outdoorsy establish itself as a trusted and successful online marketplace in the outdoor travel industry.

For buyers, Outdoorsy is a convenient marketplace that connects them with a wide range of recreational vehicles available for rent. They can browse through the extensive inventory, compare prices, and read detailed descriptions and reviews. Once they find their ideal RV, they can easily book it online, communicate with the owner, and arrange for pick-up or delivery. Outdoorsy ensures a seamless and secure transaction process, providing peace of mind to buyers as they embark on their outdoor adventures.

For sellers, Outdoorsy provides a user-friendly platform to list their recreational vehicles (RVs) and connect with potential renters. Sellers can create detailed listings, showcasing their RV's features, availability, and pricing. They have control over rental terms, including setting minimum rental durations and security deposits. Outdoorsy handles the payment process, ensuring secure transactions. Additionally, sellers can communicate with renters, address inquiries, and arrange pick-up and drop-off logistics. Overall, Outdoorsy empowers sellers to monetize their RVs efficiently and effortlessly.

Outdoorsy is an online marketplace that connects individuals who own recreational vehicles (RVs) with people looking to rent them. The business model of Outdoorsy is based on a peer-to-peer sharing economy, where RV owners can list their vehicles for rent and renters can browse and book the RVs that suit their needs. Outdoorsy acts as the intermediary, providing a platform for owners and renters to connect, facilitating secure transactions, and offering insurance coverage for both parties. The company generates revenue by charging a commission fee on each rental transaction, ensuring a sustainable and profitable business model.

Outdoorsy, an online marketplace for renting recreational vehicles (RVs), generates revenue through various channels. Firstly, the platform charges a service fee to RV owners for each booking made through their website, which helps cover the costs of maintaining and operating the platform. Additionally, Outdoorsy offers optional add-on services such as insurance coverage, roadside assistance, and delivery, which generate additional revenue. The company also earns money through partnerships and collaborations with RV manufacturers, dealerships, and other industry players who benefit from the exposure and customer reach provided by the platform. Overall, Outdoorsy's revenue model revolves around facilitating RV rentals and providing value-added services to both owners and renters within their online marketplace.

The most important functionality of a marketplace like Outdoorsy is to connect people who want to rent RVs or campervans with owners who are willing to rent out their vehicles. This includes features such as:

1. Vehicle listings: Allowing owners to create detailed listings with information about their RVs, including photos, descriptions, availability, and pricing.

2. Search and filters: Enabling renters to search for RVs based on their location, travel dates, vehicle type, amenities, and other preferences.

3. Booking and reservation management: Facilitating the booking process by providing a secure platform for renters to make reservations, communicate with owners, and manage their bookings.

4. Payment processing: Handling secure and seamless transactions between renters and owners, including options for online payments, security deposits, and insurance coverage.

5. Reviews and ratings: Allowing renters to leave feedback and ratings for the RVs and owners they have rented from, helping future renters make informed decisions.

6. Messaging and communication: Providing a messaging system for renters and owners to communicate, ask questions, and discuss rental details.

7. Insurance and protection: Offering insurance options to protect both renters and owners against potential damages, accidents, or liabilities during the rental period.

8. Customer support: Providing responsive customer support to address any issues, concerns, or inquiries from both renters and owners.

9. Mobile app: Offering a mobile app for convenient access to the marketplace, allowing users to search, book, and manage their rentals on the go.

10. Trust and verification: Implementing trust and verification mechanisms, such as identity verification, driver's license checks, and user reviews, to ensure the safety and reliability of the marketplace.

Building functionality like Outdoorsy from scratch would require significant time, effort, and resources. The cost would depend on various factors such as the complexity of features, platform compatibility, design requirements, and development team size. It would involve expenses for project planning, UI/UX design, backend and frontend development, database management, testing, hosting, and ongoing maintenance. Additionally, costs may arise from integrating third-party services like payment gateways, mapping APIs, and user verification systems. Considering these factors, the cost to build such functionality from scratch could range from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

• Conduct thorough market research to identify gaps and opportunities in the outdoor recreational vehicle rental industry.
• Develop a user-friendly and visually appealing website and mobile application that allows users to easily search, compare, and book various types of outdoor recreational vehicles.
• Implement a robust and secure online payment system to ensure smooth and secure transactions for both renters and owners.
• Build a comprehensive inventory of high-quality outdoor recreational vehicles, including RVs, campervans, trailers, and more, to cater to a wide range of customer preferences and budgets.
• Offer flexible rental options, including daily, weekly, and monthly rates, to accommodate different trip durations and budgets.
• Provide transparent and detailed vehicle listings with comprehensive information, including vehicle specifications, amenities, photos, and user reviews.
• Implement a reliable and efficient customer support system to promptly address any inquiries, issues, or emergencies that renters or owners may encounter.
• Establish partnerships with reputable insurance providers to offer comprehensive insurance coverage options for both renters and owners, ensuring peace of mind for all parties involved.
• Implement a robust rating and review system to foster trust and transparency within the community, allowing users to make informed decisions based on previous renters' experiences.
• Develop a marketing strategy to raise awareness about the platform, including targeted online advertising, social media campaigns, and partnerships with outdoor and travel influencers.
• Continuously innovate and improve the platform based on user feedback and market trends to stay ahead of competitors and provide an exceptional user experience.
• Foster a strong community by organizing outdoor events, offering exclusive discounts or rewards for loyal users, and creating a platform for users to connect and share their experiences.
• Expand the platform's reach by considering international expansion and partnerships with outdoor rental companies in different regions.
• Stay up-to-date with industry regulations and compliance requirements to ensure legal and ethical operations.
• Continuously monitor and analyze market trends, competitor strategies, and customer feedback to adapt and refine the platform's offerings and services.

1. RVshare: RVshare is a major competitor to Outdoorsy in the online marketplace for RV rentals. Both platforms offer a wide selection of RVs for rent, but RVshare has a larger inventory with over 100,000 vehicles available. Additionally, RVshare has a more established presence in the market, having been founded in 2013, while Outdoorsy was founded in 2015.

2. Campanda: Campanda is another strong competitor in the online marketplace for RV rentals. Similar to Outdoorsy, Campanda offers a diverse range of RVs for rent, including motorhomes, campervans, and trailers. However, Campanda has a global presence, operating in over 40 countries, which gives it an advantage in terms of international reach compared to Outdoorsy.

3. Cruise America: Cruise America is a well-known competitor that specializes in RV rentals. Unlike Outdoorsy, Cruise America owns and operates its own fleet of vehicles, which allows for more consistent quality control and standardized rental experiences. Cruise America also has a network of rental locations across the United States, making it convenient for customers to pick up and drop off their rentals.

4. RVnGO: RVnGO is an emerging competitor in the online marketplace for RV rentals. Like Outdoorsy, RVnGO connects RV owners with renters, offering a wide selection of vehicles. However, RVnGO differentiates itself by providing insurance coverage for both owners and renters, which can give customers added peace of mind when renting through their platform.

5. RVezy: RVezy is a Canadian-based competitor to Outdoorsy, offering RV rentals across Canada. While both platforms provide a similar service, RVezy focuses on providing a personalized experience for renters by offering delivery and setup services, as well as additional add-ons like camping gear rentals. This emphasis on convenience and customization sets RVezy apart from Outdoorsy.

Creating an Outdoorsy-type online marketplace is a significant, costly endeavor. However, there are now various ways to construct a marketplace without a large budget.

The option you select depends on:

• The features required for your marketplace
• Your technical abilities (or those of your team)
• Your budget
• The available time.

The different methods to build a marketplace include:

• Utilizing WordPress and plugins
• Constructing on open-source software
• Combining no-code tools
• Using a dedicated no-code marketplace SaaS tool
• Developing on an API-based marketplace SaaS tool

In addition to skill and budget limitations, consider the speed of learning. Launching your Outdoor-style platform quickly allows for rapid audience understanding. These insights aid in creating a platform that users prefer over existing solutions.

Sharetribe's marketplace software is designed with this iterative learning process in mind.

Initially, we assist in launching an Outdoorsy-like platform in one day without coding. Use the 14-day free trial of Sharetribe's Build plan to get your marketplace ready fast. After the trial, you can subscribe to either continue building or launch your marketplace and go live.

Once launched, you can learn what additional features and functionality your platform needs to serve your audience. You may want to completely change the design and workflow, integrate third-party services, or develop a mobile app. With Sharetribe, you can easily customize these changes and more, either independently or with assistance from our Expert partners.

At Sharetribe, we have been building marketplaces for over ten years. Our experience and expertise are available through our content resources, regardless of your chosen platform-building method.

Best of luck with your Outdoor-style business!