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> For example AirBnB is just a CRUD database with a website that connects demand and supply. Anybody could build it, I bet some HNers even in a weekend :) The
by smallerfish 4y ago
> For example AirBnB is just a CRUD database with a website that connects demand and supply. Anybody could build it, I bet some HNers even in a weekend :)
The value is in the data, not the software. They have hundreds of thousands of properties on their platform ready to accept bookings - that takes a lot of legwork to produce. Same thing for Uber.
You could build it and start rolling it out locally in your town, but do you think a) you could convince a solid number of hosts to use your platform, and b) that people visiting your town would use your (unknown) platform rather than the "safe bets" of airbnb or vrbo? If you can solve those problems, go for it; once you conquer your first locale, hire some salespeople and expand to the next geography.
- amelius 4y agoI would say the value is in the users, not necessarily the data. Win over the users, and you have the data as well. So basically network effects. I was thinking more at the level of the economy. How can we fix this nasty bug in the free market so the best service wins, not the one with the most users?
- lotsofpulp 4y agoLet people have the experiences that OP did, and they will automatically start to rent from other sellers/middlemen.
- smallerfish 4y agoI guess I could have said "the database". I think we're talking about the same thing. Without (some) users you won't get many listings; without enough listings you won't grow users organically. So, you need money to grow through GTM of some sort, and/or a really good organic growth strategy.