Having a professional website is essential for any rental business. It helps potential customers find your business, showcases your inventory, and provides a seamless way to book online. Whether you run a party rental, car rental, or equipment rental business, the right website builder can make all the difference.
However, building a website can feel overwhelming, especially without web design experience. That’s where rental website builders come in, offering easy-to-use tools to create a professional site in no time.
Website builders make the whole process much easier to understand, even if you don’t have any experience with web design. They typically provide templates and features to help you create a website without learning everything about website design. For a small business owner, they can be the perfect tool for creating a website on your own.
Of course, it’s not as simple as just showing you one and setting you on your way. There are several to choose from, and the way Booqable integrates into them varies between each. So, let’s go through some of the most popular website builders and help you decide which is the best for you and your rental business.
Compare rental website builders
To help you choose the best rental website builder for your rental business, we’ve compared some of the most popular options on the market. Check out our comparison table below to see how each builder stacks up.
| Platform | Best for | Key features | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Booqable | Rental businesses |
|
$29/mo |
| WordPress | Bloggers & content creators |
Yes, Booqable integration |
Free |
| Shopify | E-commerce businesses |
Yes, Booqable integration |
$29/mo |
| Squarespace | Creatives & small businesses |
Yes, Booqable integration |
$16/mo |
While each website builder has its pros and cons, the best one for you will depend on your needs, budget, and experience level. Consider these factors when choosing a builder, and you’ll be well on your way to creating a professional website for your rental business.
Creating a rental website with Booqable
If you don’t have an existing website or want to refresh your website, Booqable offers a rental website builder specifically designed for rental businesses. It features all the tools you need to create a professional rental website and manage day-to-day admin. This includes bookings, customers, inventory, payments, documents, and performance monitoring.
The rental website builder has a drag-and-drop editor, so you can easily customize your website to match your brand. You can add your logo, change colors, and add images to make your website unique. You can also add pages, such as a homepage, about page, and contact page, to provide more information about your rental business.
Lightchasers Rentals used Booqable’s website builder to create a professional camera rental website. They chose one of over 60 rental website templates, changed the colors to match their brand, and added images to showcase their products. They also added pages to provide more information about their rental business.
All our plans have access to the rental website builder, which can be accessed through the online store settings. Sign up and create your perfect rental website; add your products and payment provider to accept online bookings today. See examples of rental websites created with Booqable.
Start with building your rental website
Every new rental business starts with a website to get their first bookings.
Add booking components to your website
There are several booking components that you can add to your website to help customers book online. These components include a product list, add to cart button, search bar, and product card. You can embed these components on your website to showcase your products, prices, and availability and accept online bookings. If you create a website with Booqable’s rental website builder, these are all built-in to the website templates.
Product list
The product list is a grid of your products that you can embed on your website. It shows your products with images and prices. Customers can click on a product to open a product card, view more details, and add it to their cart.
Add to cart button
The add to cart button is a button that you can embed on your website that includes your product pricing and availability. When a customer clicks the button, the product is added to their cart, and they can continue shopping or proceed to checkout.
Search bar
The search bar is a tool that you can embed on your website that allows customers to search for products within the embedded product list. When a customer enters a search term, they are shown a list of products that match their search criteria.
Product card
The product card is a detailed view of a product that you can embed on your website. It shows the product image, description, pricing, and availability. It can be added as a link on your website that opens up a card modal.
Start your rental business for just $29/month
Put your toes in the water and test the demand in your area with a rental website for just $29/month.
Popular website builders for rental businesses
When integrating bookings into a website builder, there are several popular options to choose from. Let’s go through some of the most popular website builders, how you can integrate Booqable into them, and a live example of a rental website created with each.
WordPress
Let’s start with perhaps the most popular and well-known website builder on the market - WordPress. It offers an easy-to-use approach with hundreds of free website templates and thousands of paid themes. Some may consider it the most accessible entry point into building your website, thanks to the wealth of WordPress tutorials on YouTube, but it is a bit more complex than some other website builders.
Cirq integrated Booqable’s product list into their WordPress website to showcase their rental outdoor gear inventory. This allows them to show their products, prices, and availability to customers and accept online bookings.
Integrating Booqable with WordPress is easy as we have a WordPress plugin that easily allows you to add Booqable to your WordPress website. Once installed, you need to enter your information and add the code to the appropriate sections of your website, and you’re on your way. See examples of rental websites created with WordPress and Booqable.
Squarespace
Squarespace is renowned for its sleek, visually impressive templates, making it an excellent choice for rental businesses looking to stand out. With its intuitive interface and robust features, you can create a professional website that attracts customers and increases bookings. Perfect for party and event rentals, Squarespace’s designs let your inventory shine.
Citrine integrated Booqable embeddable add to cart button the product pages on their Squarespace website. This allows them to design their website as they like and add the booking functionality they need.
The process of integrating Booqable with your Squarespace website is a little different to WordPress, but once you’re on your way, you’ll be glad you spent the time. You need to inject code within the advanced settings and add a small snippet to each product page. We provide everything you need, so you don’t need to learn how to write any code to get started. See examples of rental websites created with Squarespace and Booqable.
Shopify
You may know Shopify as an e-commerce website builder, but it can also be used for rental business websites. It’s an easy entry point with an intuitive interface that can be an excellent solution for rental business owners. It’s not perfect, and the design templates can be somewhat limiting compared to other options, but it’s undoubtedly an excellent option.
Martin’s Bicycle Shop integrated Booqable’s add to cart buttons into their Shopify website to create product cards that fit with their design. This allows them to showcase their rental products alongside e-commerce retail bike sales.
To get started with Booqable on a Shopify website, you will need to add the Booqable code to the theme of your rental website. Then go through and replace the button and product information as outlined in our help center article. Shopify isn’t the best option for Booqable, but it will undoubtedly be an excellent choice for your rental business if you’re willing to put the work in. See examples of rental websites created with Shopify and Booqable.
Join thousands of rental business owners
In the last 12 months, hundreds of people have started their business with Booqable.
How to pick the best website builder for your rental business
There are a few things to consider while deciding which website builder is best for you.
Identify your needs
Before you start comparing website builders, it’s essential to identify your needs. What features do you need your website to have? Do you need a booking system, a way to showcase your inventory, or a blog? Understanding your needs will help you narrow down your options and choose a builder that can meet them.
Consider your budget
Website builders come at different price points, so it’s essential to consider your budget. Some builders are free, while others require a monthly subscription or a one-time fee. Additionally, some builders charge transaction fees for every sale made through their platform. Consider your budget and choose a builder that fits within it.
Evaluate ease of use
Unless you’re a developer or have experience building websites, you’ll want to choose a builder that’s easy to use. Consider the builder’s user interface and drag-and-drop capabilities. Additionally, check out the builder’s customer support options to ensure you can get help when you need it.
Frequently asked questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about rental website builders:
What is a rental website builder?
A rental website builder is a platform designed to help rental businesses create professional websites. It often includes features like booking systems, inventory management, and payment integration, allowing businesses to manage rentals and accept online bookings.
Why do I need a website for my rental business?
A website helps potential customers find your business, view your inventory, and book rentals online. It improves your visibility, streamlines operations, and boosts customer convenience, which can increase bookings and revenue.
Can I use a website builder if I don’t have technical skills?
Yes! Most website builders, including Booqable, Squarespace, and Shopify, are designed for beginners. They offer drag-and-drop editors, pre-built templates, and step-by-step guides to make the process simple.
Can I integrate a booking system into my existing website?
Yes! Booqable offers integrations with popular platforms like WordPress, Squarespace, and Shopify. You can add features like product lists, search bars, and booking buttons to your existing site with minimal effort.
How much does it cost to build a rental website?
The cost varies depending on the platform:
- Booqable: Starts at $29/month.
- WordPress: Free, but you’ll need to pay for hosting and premium plugins.
- Squarespace: Starts at $16/month.
- Shopify: Starts at $29/month, with additional fees for apps or themes.
What is the best website builder for an equipment rental business?
For equipment rentals, Booqable is ideal because it combines booking, inventory, and payment tools in one place. WordPress is also a good option if you need extensive customization and scalability.
What is the best website builder for a party rental business?
Squarespace is a great choice for party rentals because of its visually appealing templates and user-friendly interface. Booqable is also a good option for integrating booking and inventory management features.
Most important takeaways
Booqable: Booqable is a rental website builder specifically designed for rental businesses, offering a drag-and-drop editor, online bookings, and inventory management.
WordPress: WordPress is a great option for rental businesses that want to customize their website with a third-party booking plugin like Booqable.
Squarespace: Squarespace is a website builder that offers a range of templates and features for creating a professional website.
Shopify: Shopify offers a range of e-commerce features, making it a great option for rental businesses that want to sell products alongside rentals.
