Step-by-Step Guide: Building an Airbnb Clone with Adalo

This comprehensive tutorial will walk you through building a fully functional vacation rental app using Adalo's no-code platform. Follow these steps to create your own Airbnb-style marketplace with property listings, bookings, payments, and reviews.

Initial Setup and Planning

Step 1: Create Your Adalo Account

1. Go to Adalo.com and sign up
2. Click "Create New App"
3. Choose "Mobile App" or "Desktop Web App"
4. Name your app (e.g., "VacationRentals")
5. Select "Start from Scratch"

Step 2: Choose App Settings

1. Select your primary brand color
2. Choose a secondary accent color
3. Pick a clean font (recommended: Inter or Roboto)
4. Click "Continue" to enter the editor

Building the Database

Step 3: Enhance the Users Collection

1. Click the Database icon in left sidebar
2. Select the existing "Users" collection
3. Add these properties (click "+ Add Property"):
   
   • User Type (Text) - Values: "Guest", "Host", "Admin"
   • Profile Photo (Image)
   • Bio (Text - check "Multiline")
   • Phone Number (Text)
   • Government ID (Image)
   • Verified (True/False)
   • Member Since (Date & Time - Automatic)
   • Response Rate (Number)
   • Response Time (Text)
   • Languages (Text)
   • Work (Text)

Learn more about databases

Step 4: Create Properties Collection

1. Click "+ Add Collection"
2. Name it "Properties"
3. Add these properties:
   
   • Title (Text)
   • Description (Text - Multiline)
   • Property Type (Text) - Values: "Entire Place", "Private Room", "Shared Room"
   • Price Per Night (Number)
   • Cleaning Fee (Number)
   • Service Fee (Number)
   • Location (Location)
   • Address (Text)
   • City (Text)
   • State/Province (Text)
   • Country (Text)
   • Max Guests (Number)
   • Bedrooms (Number)
   • Beds (Number)
   • Bathrooms (Number)
   • Main Image (Image)
   • Gallery Images (Image - Allow Multiple)
   • House Rules (Text - Multiline)
   • Check In Time (Text)
   • Check Out Time (Text)
   • Minimum Nights (Number)
   • Cancellation Policy (Text)
   • Instant Book (True/False)
   • Active (True/False)
   • Average Rating (Number)
   • Total Reviews (Number)

Step 5: Create Amenities Collection

1. Click "+ Add Collection"
2. Name it "Amenities"
3. Add properties:
   
   • Name (Text) - e.g., "WiFi", "Kitchen", "Parking"
   • Icon (Image)
   • Category (Text) - e.g., "Basic", "Safety", "Entertainment"

Step 6: Create Bookings Collection

1. Click "+ Add Collection"
2. Name it "Bookings"
3. Add properties:
   
   • Booking ID (Text - Auto-Generated)
   • Check In Date (Date & Time)
   • Check Out Date (Date & Time)
   • Number of Guests (Number)
   • Total Price (Number)
   • Status (Text) - Values: "Pending", "Confirmed", "Cancelled", "Completed"
   • Payment Status (Text) - Values: "Pending", "Paid", "Refunded"
   • Stripe Payment ID (Text)
   • Special Requests (Text - Multiline)
   • Created Date (Date & Time - Automatic)

Step 7: Create Reviews Collection

1. Click "+ Add Collection"
2. Name it "Reviews"
3. Add properties:
   
   • Rating (Number) - 1 to 5
   • Comment (Text - Multiline)
   • Cleanliness (Number)
   • Communication (Number)
   • Check In (Number)
   • Accuracy (Number)
   • Location (Number)
   • Value (Number)
   • Review Date (Date & Time - Automatic)
   • Host Response (Text - Multiline)

Step 8: Create Conversations Collection

1. Click "+ Add Collection"
2. Name it "Conversations"
3. Add properties:
   
   • Last Message (Text)
   • Last Message Date (Date & Time)
   • Unread Count (Number)

Step 9: Create Messages Collection

1. Click "+ Add Collection"
2. Name it "Messages"
3. Add properties:
   
   • Content (Text - Multiline)
   • Sent Date (Date & Time - Automatic)
   • Read (True/False)

Step 10: Create Favorites Collection

1. Click "+ Add Collection"
2. Name it "Favorites"
3. Add properties:
   
   • Added Date (Date & Time - Automatic)

Step 11: Set Up Database Relationships

1. In Properties:
   
   
   
   • Add relationship to Users: "Host" (A User can have many Properties)
   • Add relationship to Amenities: Many-to-Many
   • Add relationship to Reviews: One-to-Many
2. In Bookings:
   
   
   
   • Add relationship to Properties: Many-to-One
   • Add relationship to Users: "Guest" (Many-to-One)
   • Add relationship to Reviews: One-to-One
3. In Reviews:
   
   
   
   • Add relationship to Users: "Reviewer" (Many-to-One)
   • Add relationship to Users: "Reviewed Host" (Many-to-One)
4. In Conversations:
   
   
   
   • Add relationship to Users: "Guest" (Many-to-One)
   • Add relationship to Users: "Host" (Many-to-One)
   • Add relationship to Properties: Many-to-One
5. In Messages:
   
   
   
   • Add relationship to Conversations: Many-to-One
   • Add relationship to Users: "Sender" (Many-to-One)
6. In Favorites:
   
   
   
   • Add relationship to Users: Many-to-One
   • Add relationship to Properties: Many-to-One

Installing Required Components

Step 12: Install Essential Marketplace Components

1. Go to Adalo Marketplace
2. Search and install:
   
   • Maps (for property locations)
   • Calendar (for availability)
   • Star Rating (for reviews)
   • Image Slider (for galleries)
   • Stripe Payment (for bookings)
3. Return to your app editor

Creating the Home Screen

Step 13: Build the Landing Page

1. On the default screen, rename it to "Home"
2. Add App Bar (Simple):
   
   • Title: Your app name
   • Add search icon (right action)
   • Add filter icon (left action)

Step 14: Add Search Bar

1. Below app bar, add Rectangle for background
2. Inside rectangle, add:
   
   • Text Input: "Where are you going?"
   • Icon: Search icon
3. Style with rounded corners and shadow

Step 15: Create Quick Filters

1. Add Horizontal List:
   
   • Connect to Categories collection
   • Add items: "Entire Place", "Private Room", "Unique Stays"
2. For each item, add:
   
   • Image: Category icon
   • Text: Category name
3. Add toggle action to filter properties

Step 16: Build Property List

1. Add Custom List:
   
   • Connect to Properties collection
   • Filter: Active = True
2. Inside each list item, add:
   
   • Image: Current Property → Main Image (rounded corners)
   • Heart Icon: For favorites (top right)
   • Text: Current Property → City, Country
   • Text: Current Property → Title
   • Text: "$[Current Property → Price Per Night] per night"
   • Star Rating: Display only, bound to Average Rating

Step 17: Configure List Actions

1. Select the Custom List
2. Add action: Link → Property Details screen
3. Send: Current Property
4. For heart icon:
   
   • Add action: Create → Favorites
   • Set User: Logged In User
   • Set Property: Current Property

Building Property Details

Step 18: Create Property Details Screen

1. Add new screen: "Property Details"
2. Add Image Slider:
   
   • Images: Current Property → Gallery Images
   • Height: 300px
   • Enable auto-play

Step 19: Add Property Information

1. Below slider, add vertical layout:
   
   • Text: Current Property → Title (24px, bold)
   • Text: Current Property → City, State, Country
   • Star Rating: Display Average Rating
   • Text: "[Total Reviews] reviews"

Step 20: Create Host Section

1. Add horizontal layout:
   
   • Image: Current Property → Host → Profile Photo (50px circle)
   • Text: "Hosted by [Host Name]"
   • Text: "Member since [Member Since]"
2. Add Button: "Contact Host" → Link to Messages

Step 21: Add Property Details Grid

1. Create 2x2 grid layout:
   
   • Icon + Text: "[Max Guests] guests"
   • Icon + Text: "[Bedrooms] bedrooms"
   • Icon + Text: "[Beds] beds"
   • Icon + Text: "[Bathrooms] bathrooms"

Step 22: Display Description

1. Add section header: "About this place"
2. Add Text: Current Property → Description
3. Add "Show more" toggle for long descriptions

Step 23: Create Amenities Section

1. Add section header: "What this place offers"
2. Add Simple List:
   
   • Connect to Current Property → Amenities
   • Show amenity icon and name
3. Limit to 10 items with "Show all" button

Step 24: Add Map Section

1. Add section header: "Where you'll be"
2. Add Map component:
   
   • Location: Current Property → Location
   • Height: 200px
   • Zoom: 15
3. Add Text: Current Property → Address (partially hidden)

Step 25: Create Booking Widget

1. Add sticky footer with:
   
   • Text: "$[Price] per night"
   • Button: "Check Availability" → Book Property screen

Building the Booking System

Step 26: Create Booking Screen

1. Add new screen: "Book Property"
2. Add property summary card:
   
   • Small image
   • Title and location
   • Price per night

Step 27: Add Date Selection

1. Add Date Picker: "Check-in"
   
   • Minimum date: Today
2. Add Date Picker: "Check-out"
   
   • Minimum date: Check-in + 1 day
3. Add validation for minimum nights

Step 28: Create Guest Selection

1. Add Number Input: "Number of Guests"
   
   • Maximum: Current Property → Max Guests
   • Minimum: 1
   • Default: 1

Step 29: Build Price Breakdown

1. Calculate nights: Check-out - Check-in
2. Display calculations:
   
   • Text: "$[Price] × [Nights] nights"
   • Text: "Cleaning fee: $[Cleaning Fee]"
   • Text: "Service fee: $[Service Fee]"
   • Divider
   • Text: "Total: $[Calculated Total]" (bold)

Step 30: Add Booking Form

1. Add Text Area: "Special Requests" (optional)
2. Add Button: "Request to Book" or "Book Now"
   
   • Conditional text based on Instant Book setting
3. Action: Create Booking with all fields

Implementing Payments

Step 31: Set Up Stripe Integration

1. Add Stripe Payment component
2. Configure with your Stripe keys
3. Set amount: Calculated booking total
4. Enable "Save payment method"

Step 32: Create Payment Flow

1. After booking creation, navigate to Payment screen
2. On successful payment:
   
   • Update Booking → Payment Status = "Paid"
   • Update Booking → Stripe Payment ID
   • Navigate to Booking Confirmation

Step 33: Build Confirmation Screen

1. Show success message
2. Display booking details
3. Add buttons:
   
   • "View Itinerary"
   • "Message Host"
   • "Add to Calendar"

Creating User Dashboards

Step 34: Build Guest Dashboard

1. Create "Trips" screen with tabs:
   
   • Upcoming: Bookings where Check-in > Today
   • Current: Check-in < Today < Check-out
   • Past: Check-out < Today
2. For each booking, show:
   
   • Property image
   • Dates and location
   • Booking status
   • "View Details" button

Step 35: Create Host Dashboard

1. Create "Listings" screen
2. Add Custom List of host's properties:
   
   • Show property image, title, status
   • Display views and bookings count
   • Add "Edit" and "Calendar" buttons

Step 36: Build Host Calendar

1. Add Calendar component
2. Configure to show bookings:
   
   • Events: Property → Bookings
   • Start: Check-in Date
   • End: Check-out Date
3. Color code by booking status

Step 37: Create Earnings Dashboard

1. Add date range selector
2. Calculate and display:
   
   • Total earnings (SUM of completed bookings)
   • Number of bookings
   • Average booking value
3. Add List of transactions

Building the Review System

Step 38: Create Review Form

1. Add to post-stay flow
2. Include ratings for:
   
   • Overall (Star Rating component)
   • Cleanliness
   • Communication
   • Check-in
   • Accuracy
   • Location
   • Value
3. Add Text Area for written review

Step 39: Display Reviews

1. On property details, add reviews section
2. Show average ratings breakdown
3. Add Custom List of reviews:
   
   • Reviewer photo and name
   • Rating stars
   • Review text
   • Date
   • Host response (if any)

Implementing Messaging

Step 40: Create Inbox Screen

1. Add Custom List of Conversations
2. For each conversation show:
   
   • Other user's photo and name
   • Property title
   • Last message preview
   • Unread indicator

Step 41: Build Chat Screen

1. Add Custom List of Messages
2. Use conditional formatting:
   
   • Sent messages: Right aligned, colored
   • Received messages: Left aligned, white
3. Add message input with send button

Adding Search and Filters

Step 42: Create Search Screen

1. Add Location Input for destination
2. Add date pickers for check-in/out
3. Add guest counter
4. Add Button: "Search" → Results screen

Step 43: Build Filter Modal

1. Create filter options:
   
   • Price range (dual sliders)
   • Property type (checkboxes)
   • Amenities (toggles)
   • Instant Book toggle
2. Add "Clear All" and "Apply" buttons

Step 44: Configure Search Results

1. Filter Properties list by:
   
   • Location within X km
   • Available dates (no overlapping bookings)
   • Price range
   • Selected amenities
   • Guest capacity
2. Add sort options

Final Features

Step 45: Implement Favorites

1. Add Custom List on profile
2. Filter: Logged In User → Favorites → Property
3. Allow swipe to remove

Step 46: Add User Verification

1. Create verification screen
2. Add Image Picker for ID upload
3. Add form fields for verification data
4. Update user Verified status

Step 47: Create Admin Panel

1. Add admin-only screens (visibility rules)
2. Show key metrics
3. Add user and property management
4. Include report handling

Testing and Publishing

Step 48: Test Core Flows

1. Complete guest booking flow
2. Test host property creation
3. Verify payment processing
4. Check messaging system
5. Test review submission

Step 49: Add Sample Data

1. Create 10-15 test properties
2. Add sample amenities
3. Create test users (guests and hosts)
4. Add sample bookings and reviews

Step 50: Prepare for Launch

1. Set up production Stripe keys
2. Configure push notifications
3. Add terms of service and privacy policy
4. Submit to app stores (if mobile)

Limitations and Workarounds

Calendar Sync Issues

• Real-time calendar updates require page refresh
• Add pull-to-refresh on booking screens
• Consider webhook integration for instant updates

Complex Pricing Rules

• Store seasonal rates in separate collection
• Use formulas for dynamic pricing
• Implement minimum stay rules with validation

Performance Optimization

• Limit property lists to 20 items
• Add pagination or "Load More"
• Optimize images before upload
• Use lazy loading for galleries

Resources for Continued Learning

• Adalo Component Documentation
• Database Best Practices
• Marketplace Components
• YouTube Tutorials

Congratulations! You've built a functional vacation rental marketplace. Continue iterating based on user feedback and exploring advanced features through Adalo's expanding component library.

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