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Ask HN: Review my startup, Localo.com

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Ask HN: Review my startup, Localo.com

#1

Post by betolive »

Hi everyone,

We just announced our marketplace and we would love HN readers to give us feedback about overall look & feel, our form to submit itineraries and our affiliate program.

With Localo, travellers can book rooms, houses, sofabeds, boats, domes, and even complete islands from locals willing to share them.

Travellers tell what they want from their stay, and then locals compete for them by submitting personalized offers.

We expect Localo to provide the best matchmaking mechanism for travelers looking to experience a city like a local, so we will appreciate any suggestions related.

Links: http://localo.com http://localo.com/submit http://localo.com/referral_program

Re: Ask HN: Review my startup, Localo.com

#4

Post by jcr »

Your business seems remarkably similar to AirBnB. The only problem I noticed was on your 'about' page. It loads hundreds of thumbnail images (pictures of the "locals"), so it takes far too long to load.

Re: Ask HN: Review my startup, Localo.com

#5

Post by betolive »

mindball wrote: post #3

I like the idea. I was confused when I searched Toronto and the top result had a price but the rest didn't. My question is how scalable is this? Is the idea to eventually integrate hotel listings?

Localos can publish their rates or only provide personalized offers for travellers, which are usually opaque. So in Toronto's case, only one localo has decided to publish their prices. We do not plan to integrate hotel listings since our current focus are the long tail accommodations. Any local is able to list his/her place in our marketplace, so we think there is enough room to grow.

Re: Ask HN: Review my startup, Localo.com

#6

Post by betolive »

jcr wrote: post #4

Your business seems remarkably similar to AirBnB. The only problem I noticed was on your 'about' page. It loads hundreds of thumbnail images (pictures of the "locals"), so it takes far too long to load.

Thanks for the suggestion jcr, we want to showcase our community, but it may have the same effect with just a subset of localos.

You are correct about the similarities with AirBnB, we think that personalized offers provide a better matchmaking mechanism for travellers looking to experience a city like a local.

Re: Ask HN: Review my startup, Localo.com

#7

Post by mindball »

betolive wrote: post #5
mindball wrote: post #3

I like the idea. I was confused when I searched Toronto and the top result had a price but the rest didn't. My question is how scalable is this? Is the idea to eventually integrate hotel listings?

Localos can publish their rates or only provide personalized offers for travellers, which are usually opaque. So in Toronto's case, only one localo has decided to publish their prices. We do not plan to integrate hotel listings since our current focus are the long tail accommodations. Any local is able to list his/her place in our marketplace, so we think there is enough room to grow.

I think you should be looking at the large picture here. Yes the local market makes sense to start but the idea is to scale the business up to take a % of a billion dollar industry not a cottage industry with say $100 mill total market.

Re: Ask HN: Review my startup, Localo.com

#9

Post by JonLim »

Very nifty app - took a look at accommodations for Chicago, where I will be going in two weeks, and was disappointed to have found only one entry. Along with it, there was no price information.

However, your very clean presentation on location, time from touristy attractions, and amenities included is fantastic.

What are you guys using for outbound email? I'd love to talk shop.

Good luck!

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