Leverage global talent for premium, cost-effective web and app development

How Net Solutions helped Diamond Vacation Homes Canada, Inc. build

An Intuitive Mobile App for Offering and Renting Lodging Services

An Innovative Mobile App for Booking Long Stays

The StayDream app is a stepping-stone project of Diamond Vacation Homes (DVH) Canada Inc. Originally, Diamond Vacation Homes had been providing hotel bookings to clients in all major Canadian cities. With StayDream, their intention was to extend the scope of their business to providing relatively longer stays than hotels usually do. So, the app would need to connect the property owners and travelers who are looking for stays at a particular location for 30 days or more.

The Problem

Providing travelers with a one-stop solution for booking long stays and procuring all travel related information

The client approached Net Solutions to build a go-to on-demand iOS app to enable travelers to book longer stays, starting 30 days onwards. It would also allow travelers to resolve their queries regarding where to stay, which places to visit, how to get there, and many more related questions.

The client also required a web user interface for catering to property owners, where they could submit their contact information and details of their properties, which would be reviewed and approved or rejected by the admin of the app.

The Challenge

Our team faced tough restrictions from the software backend standpoint.

We faced challenges particularly with the user interface part. The design team worked closely with the development team to hack the system, in order to enhance the user experience the way it had been visualized.

The Solution

Approach

The app was created with an emphasis on smooth experience and focus on personalization. The UX team designed a short and simple user journey, keeping the designs of competitors’ apps in mind. The basic idea was to provide easy access to information and bookings from anywhere and at any time. The final product provides both these to travelers with just a few clicks on the app.

Our internal team of business analysts, designers, developers, and testers followed the Agile methodology for building the app.

Technology

The app was developed using Python (Django), Native iOS SDKs, PostgreSQL, Axure, and Adobe Photoshop. It works on iOS 10.x and 11.x.

Features

Mobile App Features:

  • The main screen enables users to search for properties near a chosen location. The app is positioned in a way to serve travellers who are looking for a stay of 30 days or more.
  • Users can select a property from the list and go to its details page to view basic information such as the number of people it accommodates, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, etc.
  • The app provides complete details about the amenities available at the property, such as free wifi, breakfast inclusion, etc.
  • One of the features allows users to search for places to visit near available properties, with the help of a map. Based on this, users can select the most suitable property.
  • The checkout process is quick and simple.

Web User Interface Features

The web user interface is basically a simple form which is to be filled by the property owners who wish to lease out their properties. They are required to provide a few details about the images of their properties. The admin of the app publishes these details on the app after review, and the property becomes visible in the search results to the users looking for a property at that location.

Ideas were shared with the client in the form of mocks and post their approval, the implementation process started.

During the entire process, various deliverables were created to specify the project requirements such as user stories, wireframes, UIs, and development sprints.

The Result

Benefits for the Property Owners

  • The StayDream app makes the overall experience of the user easy, which eventually gives an advantage to the property owners in acquiring more business.
  • The app caters to booking requests 24×7, 365 days a year.
  • The built-in payment section reduces the risk of payments not being made.
  • The Review and Rating features of the app are designed to help property owners in getting honest feedback from guests.

Benefits for the Users

  • Users can find properties, based on location, convenience, and budget.
  • The app shows non-availability of properties at a chosen location during the peak season.
  • Users can view complete information about the accommodation and amenities provided by the property owner.
  • Users can book a property without having to go through a tedious booking process. In other words, it is a time-saving solution.
  • The language adoption feature enables users to choose between two languages: English and Mandarin.

Got a Project in Mind?

Let's Talk

Start Your Project Now

Talk to an Expert

Stay current with our latest insights

Let's Connect

LOS ANGELES

11601 Wilshire Blvd
5th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90025
USA
+1 (305) 767-3821

NEW YORK

101 Avenue of the Americas,
8th Floor, New York City,
New York, 10013
USA
+1 (305) 767-3821

TORONTO

111 Queen Street
East South Building
Suite 450, Toronto,
ON M5C 1S2 Canada
+1 (416) 720-1790

LONDON

6th Floor
9 Appold Street
London, EC2A 2AP
UK
+44 (20) 3807-3803

CHANDIGARH

Site no. 15, Rajiv Gandhi
Chandigarh Technology Park,
Chandigarh 160101
India
+91 172 4315000

© 2024 Net Solutions. All Rights Reserved.

Contact Us