This Week’s Best In Beta
Which startup is going to be the next big thing? Investors, bloggers, job seekers, and inspiring entrepreneurs everywhere are dying to know. Hundreds of startups enter private beta each month, and that’s far too many for any one person to keep up with. Fret not! Each week, I share some of the hottest new startups in this column, Best In Beta. Let’s discover the next big thing together!
The short-term rental market has come a long way. Fast. From quirky concept to smart way to make a few extra bucks or save money on traditional accommodations, no question that the likes of AirBnB have permanently changed the way we look for lodging. Friends, we’re becoming downright professional hosts.
Coral is a mobile app that lets people renting out their homes put together an interactive home guide. Give the demo a try. It’s straightforward, easy, and really smart.
Coral breaks down important information into sensible categories: a welcome page, essential information, rooms, tech and amenities. It replaces those binders that always have something missing or sometimes go missing, with an incredibly handy guide.
I’ve had the good fortune to have nothing but positive experiences with AirBnB. OK, one place I stayed was run more like a hotel than I was expecting, but I learned what kind of places to avoid. No major qualms. At the same time, I can say that questions always come up or there’s always something that concerned hosts feel they must go out of the way to show personally.
Coral eliminates much of the need to do so. The closest I came to having a bad AirBnB stay involved struggling to open a complicated lock system on the front door. The host wasn’t immediately available, the instructions were unclear, and my bladder was prepared to paint the front porch. Fortunately, disaster was averted. Nonetheless, Coral might easily avoid such crises with visual instructions and easy to find information.
No need to search around for the all-important WiFi details. They’re wisely placed front and center. No need to explain the window latch in the bedroom, for example. It can go in the guide. Information where you need it when you need it. Well done.
Host a time or two and you’ve probably already started to amass a list of local recommendations. Coral gives you an easy place to store and share these, so you cut down on repeating yourself. At heart, Coral lets hosts and guests minimize their interaction and get on with things, while not letting any details go to the wayside.
Heck, I may have my parents create a guide just for me so I don’t have to ever ask which remotes go to which boxes ever again. I will definitely look for my hosts to use Coral the next time I’m on the road.
Photo Credits
Coral | LI CHAOSHU/Shutterstock
