10 Steps to Build an Expedia-Like Website: Tips and Insights

Thinking about building a travel aggregator website like Expedia? It's a promising idea with lots of possibilities!

 

But like any ambitious project, it has challenges to consider: budgeting, technical complexities, and fierce competition can seem daunting.

 

Luckily, the Onix team specializes in travel aggregator development and is ready to share our valuable development insights. 

 

We developed a website, MisterB&B, that is uniquely designed for LGBTQ-friendly accommodations. Forbes has dubbed this travel platform the "gay Airbnb" and now has 900K+ LGBTQ members.

 

Based on our experience, we're going to share our insights with you on:

 

• key features essential for a travel aggregator website like Expedia
• pro tips on how to create a travel aggregator website
• сonsiderations for travel aggregator development cost

 

Keep reading to learn all the nuances of online travel aggregator website development like Expedia!

Travel platform built by the Onix team

What's the Secret Behind Expedia?

 

Before delving into technical details and the process of travel fare aggregator development, let's take a moment to understand why Expedia has been incredibly successful and what strategies they employed to achieve that success.

 

Known for its comprehensive platform offering flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and vacation packages, Expedia operates in 70+ countries and caters to millions of travelers annually.

 

Expedia's success in numbers is quite impressive:

Expedia's success is driven by:

 

• Offering a wide range of travel services on one platform for easy booking.
• Partnering with numerous providers to offer competitive pricing and variety.
• Designing intuitive interfaces that enhance user experience and encourage repeat business.
• Using data analytics to optimize pricing, personalize recommendations, and increase engagement.
• Expanding globally through acquisitions like Orbitz and Travelocity to strengthen market presence.
• Implementing innovative marketing strategies to boost brand visibility and attract new customers.
• Investing in advanced technologies like AI and virtual reality to innovate travel booking experiences.

 

Required Functionality of a Travel Aggregator Website like Expedia

Let's start by exploring the key features of a travel aggregator website. This will give you a clear understanding of how to build a travel aggregator website, how it works, and what minimum functionality is required.

 

Core features

 

• Search and booking functionality. Travel metasearch engines enable users to search for flights, hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages based on destination, dates, and preferences. 

Onix built a search engine with filters for a database of over 2 million listings

 

• User accounts and profiles. Allow users to create accounts to manage bookings, save preferences, and receive personalized recommendations and notifications.

 

• Integration with multiple providers. Integrate with airlines, hotels, car rental companies, and other travel service providers to offer a wide selection of options and competitive pricing.

 

• Reviews and ratings. Provide user-generated reviews and ratings for hotels, flights, and other services, helping users make informed decisions when using an aggregator website.

An example of how Onix built a reviews and ratings page

 

• Payment gateway integration. Securely processes payments for bookings using multiple payment methods, ensuring convenience and trust for users.

 

For example, Onix’s experts integrated Stripe and PayPal for TravelBid.com. We integrated Stripe, Paypal, Payoneer, Tipality, and Adyen payment systems for MisterB&B, allowing users to accept payments and securely send payouts online.

 

 

• Mobile-friendly design. Offer a responsive design optimized for mobile devices, allowing users to book travel on the go.

 

• Customer support. Provide 24/7 customer support through multiple channels (chat, email, phone) to assist users with bookings, cancellations, and inquiries.

 

Extra features to stand out

 

• Personalized recommendations. During online travel aggregator development, use machine learning algorithms to suggest travel options based on user preferences, past bookings, and browsing behavior.

 

• Chatbots for customer support. Utilize AI-powered chatbots to provide 24/7 customer support, handle inquiries, assist with bookings, and resolve issues efficiently.

 

• Interactive maps and destination guides. Integrate interactive maps and comprehensive destination guides with local attractions, dining options, and travel tips.

 

• Virtual reality tours. Provide virtual tours of hotels and destinations, enhancing the booking experience with immersive visuals.

 

• Dynamic pricing algorithms. Use AI to optimize pricing strategies in real time based on demand, seasonality, and competitor analysis, ensuring competitive pricing in your.

 

• Voice search and virtual assistants. Implement voice-activated search capabilities and virtual assistants powered by AI to assist users with travel queries, booking changes, and recommendations.

 

• Interactive travel itineraries. Create interactive and customizable travel itineraries using AI algorithms to optimize routes, suggest activities, and adjust plans based on user preferences.

 

How to Create a Travel Aggregator Website: Onix’s Development Tips 

Travel fare aggregator development requires careful planning, strategic execution, and attention to detail.

 

At Onix, we've honed our expertise in creating travel platforms, and below, we share our development tips to guide you through the process.

 

The standard travel aggregator website development process involves these key steps:

But let's dive a little deeper.

 

Below, we focus on the key steps required in each stage and some considerations to keep in mind during  Expedia-like website development:

 

1. Project Planning and Market Research

 

• Establish clear business objectives and define project goals.
• Determine your OTA's unique selling proposition (USP) to differentiate it from competitors.
• Conduct thorough market research to understand demand, identify target audience, and study competitors.

 

 

2. Feasibility Study

 

• Assess the technical, financial, and operational feasibility of the project.
• Develop a detailed project roadmap and timeline to guide online travel aggregator development like Expedia.

 

At Onix, we provide discovery phase services that bridge the gap between your software project's business idea and its technical execution.

 

In just 2-4 weeks, we'll help you solidify your product vision, create a clickable prototype, define the product architecture, and deliver a detailed cost proposal with time estimates.

 

During the product discovery phase, you can:

 

• Transform your business idea into a fully functional product
• Anticipate and mitigate risks and obstacles early on
• Plan your budget effectively to minimize financial setbacks
• Prioritize and break down the product scope into manageable iterations
• Establish a strong foundation for securing additional project funding
• Define clear goals and scope for the minimum viable product and develop a refined UX prototype.

 

 

3. Requirements Gathering and Analysis

 

• Define functional requirements.

 

We recommend you focus on essential functionalities like search, booking, and payment processing directly impacting user experience and business operations.

 

• Identify non-functional requirements related to performance, scalability, and security.

 

Consider scalability requirements early to accommodate future growth. Implement robust security measures to protect user data and transactions.

 

4. Choosing the Technology Stack

 

• Select appropriate technologies and frameworks based on project requirements and scalability needs.
• Utilize cloud services and implement CI/CD pipelines for efficient deployment.

 

Don't underestimate the power of a well-chosen tech stack – it can make or break your project's success.

 

Here's a list of technologies recommended by our experts to help you build a strong, scalable, and efficient solution:

 

 

5. Design

At Onix, we focus on delivering a seamless user experience tailored for travel websites. Here's our approach to designing a travel aggregator website like Expedia:

 

• User research and analysis. Gather insights through surveys, interviews, and usability testing to inform website design.

 

• Information architecture. Organize content and features into a clear and intuitive structure.

 

• Wireframing and prototyping. Visualize and refine design concepts using low-fidelity wireframes and high-fidelity prototypes.

 

• Visual design. Employ color, typography, imagery, and design elements thoughtfully for a cohesive user experience.

 

• Responsive design. Optimize designs for all devices to ensure consistency and usability.

 

• Interaction design. Enhance usability and engagement with animations, micro-interactions, and intuitive interfaces.

 

• Design systems. Develop scalable design systems for consistency across digital products.

 

• Accessibility. Implement inclusive features to ensure usability for all users, including those with disabilities.

 

 

6. Online travel aggregator development

 

Frontend development includes:

 

• Building the user interface
• Ensuring a smooth user experience
• Conducting usability testing

 

Backend development includes:

 

• Setting up the server infrastructure
• Database management
• API development

 

We recommend starting with MVP development for your aggregator website. It's a strategic approach that allows you to:

 

• Validate your product concept and gather user feedback early on.
• Focus on essential features to speed up development and time to market.
• Assess the feasibility of your idea while managing costs and risks effectively.

 

Once you validate your concept and gather user insights, you can iterate and enhance your solution based on real-world feedback, ensuring a stronger and more resilient product over time.

 

 

7. APIs and Integrations

APIs (application programming interfaces) are tools that allow different software systems to communicate and share data with each other.

 

They enable travel aggregator websites to access and display real-time information such as flight schedules, hotel availability, and car rental options from various service providers, all within a single platform.

 

Here are some common types of third-party APIs:

 

• Global distribution systems (GDS) aggregate flights, hotels, rental cars, and other travel services from global suppliers like airlines and hotel chains. They enable you to search, book, and manage travel inventory in real time.

 

• Hotel aggregators compile hotel inventory from various suppliers and wholesalers. They provide travel aggregator websites with extensive options, including real-time availability, room details, photos, and customer reviews.

 

• Airline APIs offer access to flight schedules, pricing, availability, and booking functionalities directly from airlines' reservation systems. Travel fare aggregators can present diverse flight options, including low-cost carriers and charter flights.

 

• Car rental APIs provide access to rental car inventory from major companies and local suppliers. They offer features such as vehicle availability, pricing, rental terms, and booking management capabilities.

Example of car rental page designed by the Onix team

 

8. Security Measures

Implementing robust security measures is essential when developing a site like Expedia to safeguard user data, ensure transactional security, and maintain user trust.

 

For example, when building the travel booking website MisterB&B, Onix successfully enhanced its online fraud detection and prevention system.

 

We:

 

• integrated reliable property listing providers like Booking.com, Guesty, Bookingsync, and Rentals United
• enabled secure payment and payout options through Stripe, Mangopay, Adyen, PayPal, Tipalti, Vantiv, and Payoneer
• updated property management platform integrations for improved security and tailored features
• seamlessly integrated fraud detection into the booking workflow, ensuring no impact on user experience or transaction speed
• implemented real-time monitoring capabilities to detect suspicious activities during the booking process.

 

Learn more: Fraud Detection Using Machine Learning: A Comprehensive Overview

 

9. Testing and Quality Assurance

Ensuring your travel aggregator website is reliable, secure, and user-friendly requires a thorough and systematic approach to testing and quality assurance.

 

Here’s how we do it:

 

• Testing for functionality to ensure robustness and reliability
• Performance testing to ensure the website can handle peak usage times
• Security testing to ensure that all user data is encrypted and stored securely
• User acceptance testing to validate functionality and user experience.

 

10. Launch and Post-Launch Activities

Launching your travel aggregator website marks a significant milestone, but the work doesn’t end there. Effective launch and post-launch activities are crucial to ensure your website’s success and continuous improvement.

 

Here’s how we manage this crucial phase:

 

Final preparations for launch:

 

• Perform a last round of comprehensive testing to ensure all identified issues are resolved, and the website is fully functional.
• Verify that all systems are prepared for deployment, including servers, databases, and network configurations.
• Establish backup and rollback plans to safeguard data and provide a quick recovery option in case of any issues during launch.

 

Launch execution:

 

• Coordinate the launch timing to minimize downtime and disruption, typically during off-peak hours.
• Monitor the deployment process closely to identify and address any issues immediately.
• Have a dedicated support team on standby to troubleshoot and resolve any unexpected problems during and immediately after the launch.

 

Post-launch monitoring and support:

 

• Use monitoring tools to track website performance, uptime, and key metrics such as page load times, user traffic, and error rates.
• Collect and analyze user feedback to identify areas for improvement and gauge user satisfaction.
• Provide robust customer support to assist users with any issues, ensuring a positive user experience.

 

Regular updates and improvements:

 

• Continuously address bugs, implement new features, and enhance existing functionalities based on user feedback and market trends.
• Regularly update security protocols and software to protect against emerging threats and vulnerabilities.
• Keep the website content fresh and relevant by updating travel information, offers, and promotions regularly.

 

Cost to Build a Travel Aggregator Website like Expedia

So, what is the travel aggregator development cost?

 

To estimate the cost of developing a travel aggregator website, you multiply the time needed to build the required features by the developer's hourly rate.

 

To help you understand the specific costs involved, below our experts provide a breakdown of the mid-range development cost, using MisterB&B as an example:

Travel website development costs

 

Keep in mind that these figures are just sample estimates. Once you've reviewed the estimated cost, contact us for a detailed proposal. We'll work with you to align on the best strategy and provide an accurate quote for building a site like Expedia.

 

 

Onix’s Experience in Building a Website Like Expedia

The Onix team successfully built MisterB&B, a travel booking website for renting LGBTQ-friendly accommodations. 

 

Available on both a website and mobile apps, MisterB&B offers private properties, LGBTQ-friendly hotels, guides to major destinations, and information on Gay Pride events worldwide.

 

Here's how we did it:

 

• Regular communication

We established clear communication channels to ensure transparency and timely delivery.

 

• Enhanced search engine 

Improved search functionality to quickly filter through over 2 million listings.

 

• Upgraded technologies

Used RoR for the backend and React for the frontend to enhance app performance and functionality.

 

• Seamless integration

Integrated with property aggregators like Booking.com, Rentals United, etc, to expand the listing base.

 

• Fraud detection

Developed a system to detect and prevent fraudulent activities, ensuring financial security.

 

• Secure payment systems

Integrated payment systems like Stripe, PayPal, and others to automate financial processes and enable secure transactions.

Result of the travel booking website built by Onix

 

To Conclude

In this article, we've described how to create a travel aggregator website like Expedia, including the complex functionalities and cost insights. 

 

With this information, you can start developing a travel website without costly mistakes that waste time and resources.

 

Remember, you don't have to go alone when starting your Expedia-like website. Our extensive experience and proven methodologies are here to support your path to success.

 

No matter where you are in your travel website or mobile app development process, feel free to contact Onix for consultation or assistance.

 

We're here to help!

 

 

FAQ

 

How to monetize a website like Expedia?

Here are several effective monetization strategies:

 

• Commission on bookings
• Listing fees
• Advertising
• Subscription services
• Affiliate marketing
• Travel packages and deals
• Mobile apps and premium features

 

How much does it cost to create a website like Expedia?

Creating a website like Expedia involves various factors that can affect the overall cost, such as the complexity of features, technology stack used, development time, and geographical location of the development team.

 

Here’s a general overview:

 

• Basic MVP. For a basic version with essential features like search, booking, and payment integration, costs can range from $50,000 to $100,000+.

 

• Mid-range website. Including additional features like advanced search filters, user profiles, reviews, and integration with multiple APIs (flights, hotels, car rentals), costs can range from $100,000 to $250,000+.

 

• High-end website. Incorporating complex functionalities, AI-driven recommendations, personalized user experiences, robust security features, and scalable infrastructure, costs can exceed $250,000, depending on specific requirements.

 

How long does it take to build a website like Expedia? 

The timeline for building a website like Expedia can range from 6 months to over a year, depending on project specifics, team efficiency, and unforeseen challenges.

 

Working with an experienced development team like Onix can help streamline the process and ensure timely delivery while meeting quality standards.

 

How can Onix help in creating a website like Expedia?

Onix is an IT outsourcing company with vast experience in building travel and hospitality software and web and mobile booking systems.

 

We can help with the following needs:

 

• Consultations and product requirements analysis
• Custom rental listing and booking platform development
• UX/UI design services with an emphasis on responsive design principles
• Integration of APIs and third-party services like payment gateways, maps, etc.
• User data and transactions security and compliance
• Performance optimization to enhance loading times and responsiveness
• Continuous improvement and maintenance, and more.