TABLE OF CONTENT

About the Client

Area Owl is a U.S.-based startup that connects local businesses, including hotels, restaurants, and homestays, with nearby travelers. Their platform provides travelers with a one-stop search engine for exploring local experiences, while businesses benefit from a customized CRM to manage their offerings. Currently, Area Owl operates in Peninsula, South Bay, and San Francisco, with plans for national expansion.

Business Situation

Limited Digital Presence: Local businesses struggled to reach nearby travelers effectively.
Fragmented Search Experience: Travelers needed a centralized search tool for local services.
Scalability Issues: The platform needed a scalable architecture for growth.
CRM Integration: Businesses required a user-friendly tool to manage offerings.
Payment Processing: A seamless subscription model was necessary for business monetization.
Fast Time-to-Market: The solution had to be launched within a short timeframe.

The Solution

Unthinkable initiated the project with a Discover & Frame workshop, defining user personas, business models, and revenue streams. A scalable cloud-based architecture using Drupal, PHP, and MySQL was designed to ensure flexibility and efficiency. The platform was developed with an intuitive UI/UX to cater to both travelers and businesses.

Local Search Engine: Travelers could explore businesses based on custom filters.
White-Label CRM: Businesses could create branded profiles with custom details.
Stripe Integration: Enabled seamless paid subscriptions for merchants.
Admin Panel: Businesses could manage services, promotions, and customer engagement.
Third-Party CRM Integration: Automated email notifications and customer tracking.
API Connectivity: Connected startups with external platforms like Bokun.io for enhanced features.

The Impact

Unthinkable successfully launched Area Owl’s platform within three months, ensuring high performance and reliability. The cloud-based CRM streamlined local business operations, while the search engine improved traveler engagement. Within months of launch, the platform increased traveler queries by 37%, with 1,000+ businesses onboarded and over 10,000 travelers served.

Conclusion

By delivering a robust, scalable, and intuitive solution, Unthinkable positioned Area Owl for rapid growth. The platform's early success validated its market potential, and ongoing enhancements will further elevate its impact. Area Owl continues collaborating with Unthinkable to expand into new markets, driving innovation in the travel-tech space.