A clone of the TaskRabbit website is usually ready-to-use software for launching its own services market, the design and functionality of which is largely copied from TaskRabbit. Today we’ll talk about how such software works, what it is capable of, and how to use it to build your online business with a small budget and maximum efficiency.

Step 1: TaskRabbit Business Model

Essence. TaskRabbit is a marketplace that integrates TaskPosters, people who need paid help, with TaskRabbits, a network of pre-approved and verified people who have the desire, time and skills needed to complete their tasks. Most of all, this service resembles Uber, only here users do not hire drivers, but labor for performing any tasks: assembling IKEA furniture, standing in line for a new iPhone, meeting parents at the airport and much more.

The main value proposition of TaskRabbit is the exchange of money for time for employers, and the exchange of time for money for "rabbits" (workers). At the same time, the platform team says that their innovative solutions improve this market in two ways:

• firstly, improving the quality of service for both parties;
• secondly, creating a completely new market for low-skilled labor (that is, low wages).

In addition to this, it is also worth noting other important advantages of using the TaskRabbit platform: accessibility, verification of each rabbit, transparent pricing, cashless payments and insurance of each task for $ 1,000,000. Now the service operates in more than 45 cities in the USA, Canada and the UK.

When will work. If you want to start a similar online business using the clone of the TaskRabbit website, then remember that this business model worked in the USA, because at that time the service had only one competitor - Thumbtack, which then also just started its path to success. Now there are a lot of similar sites, and you will have to compete with all of them, which is quite difficult.

It is much easier to create a site like TaskRabbit in countries where there are no similar services and where there are all conditions for their successful work:

1. Low-skilled, low-cost urban workforce.
2. A large number of people with middle and high incomes.
3. Infrastructure that will generate jobs.

In terms of infrastructure, the point is that in order to hire someone, you need tasks that will be done by "rabbits." For example, lawns are needed for lawn mowing (they are not everywhere), restaurants for food delivery, for standing in line for iPhone or PS5 - shops where they are sold, for building an IKEA model - points of sale in a selected country. In developed countries, this is not a problem, while in many countries (cities) of Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America, there may be problems (the situation is changing, but rather slowly).

Step 2: the algorithm of the platform

When a user first visits the TaskRabbit website, he has two options - to become a customer or a contractor. The separation occurs through two registration forms, after which the parties gain access to different user panels with different functions and capabilities.

Moreover, if you are a customer, then you can immediately start searching for specialists, if you are a “rabbit”, then you must first pass a test (confirm your identity and qualifications, provide a social security number, pass a personal interview, etc.) and read the rules (always wear form, use a mobile application and more).

The algorithm for issuing and receiving tasks is quite simple:

1. The client creates an application, indicating the category and details of the task (address, date, difficulty, whether transport is needed, etc.), after which the platform shows the performers (“rabbits”) working in the specified area and free at the right time. The client studies the price, rating, reviews and makes a choice.
2. The selected "rabbit" receives a request that can be accepted or rejected. If the request is accepted, the contractor proceeds with the assignment; if rejected, the customer receives a notification and selects another “rabbit”.
3. The contractor performs the task, the customer checks everything and, if everything is fine, makes payment (usually through the application).

The customer makes the payment at the end of the application, after which the money is “frozen” on the balance of the service until it is confirmed that the work has been completed. If something went wrong, both parties may turn to support (or court). At the same time, the customer has the right to compensation for damage if it was caused through the fault of the performer (even if he accidentally broke a vase of the Song Dynasty era).

It is important to emphasize here that TaskRabbit is currently operating under such a scheme (February 2020). Previously, the site worked according to the tender system (the customer created an announcement, and the performers made an application for its implementation, as a rule, offering lower prices), after which there was a system where the customer could choose only one of the three performers randomly provided to him.

This is important because the market is full of clones of the TaskRabbit site that work according to outdated algorithms. It’s better to immediately refuse them, since the tender system is not pleasant for the performers (due to constant price dumping), while the “choose one of three” system is not pleasant for customers (there is no way to save or choose the best one by rating and reviews).

Step 3: Basic and Advanced Features

For the above scheme to work correctly, the clone of the TaskRabbit site must have interface panels for three user roles (customer, executor, and administrator) and the corresponding functionality:

In addition to the functions listed in the table, the TaskRabbit site clone should also have other key functions for such a platform:

Match system. Responsible for showing the customer suitable performers. Usually the comparison takes place by location, profile of activity, availability, quality (ordinary or elite "rabbits") and sometimes by value. The first system to show professionals with the best combination of rating / cost. Must be able to view performer profiles.

Rating system. Tools for rating and feedback to users (both performers and customers) and viewing them by both parties. If someone’s rating is approaching a certain critical point, for example, 2 out of 5 points, then the system should notify the user so that he can take measures to improve it. If the rating drops too low, such a user will be banned (with the possibility of withdrawing funds).

Reservation system. It works on the principle of a booking system on sites such as Airbnb and Booking.com, only instead of a number on TaskRabbit they reserve an performer for a specific date and time. It is displayed in the form of a simple calendar, where the free date and time are shown in one color and the reserved ones in the other. It is important that the performers have the ability to control accessibility, as this will allow them to work according to their schedule and pause, for example, for vacation or for the duration of treatment. Customers do not need this feature.

Chat, in-app calls. Users should be able to communicate with each other in real time. Typically, text messages are sufficient for this, but it is also better to realize the possibility of video communication so that the customer can show the contractor the place of work and better explain what he wants. It is also important that this connection is secure and encrypted.

In-app payment. By giving your users the ability to easily pay for services on a secure platform, you give them one more reason to interact with the application. In addition, this way you can charge commissions on all transactions on your platform. Of course, this function should also be as secure and anonymous as possible.

Service Provider Tracking. Your performers should be able to track where they are now and how far away from their destination. This will give the performer a clear idea of how much time he needs to get to the place of the assignment. The destination is set by the customer according to his location or by specifying the address in the application (puts a marker on the map). Adding performer tracking to the customer’s interface is optional, but sometimes it can be useful.

Order History (Reservations). With its help, “rabbits” will be able to analyze the results of their work on the platform: income for today, week, month, year, how many repeated calls, incomes rise or fall, and the like. Then, customers will be able to quickly look through the booking history to find the contractor who did the job well before and to re-hire him (this should be in the booking history interface).

Billing. Along with the presence of a separate section in the “Orders” category, the system can send users documents confirming that the order has been completed and / or paid. For example, an invoice and a receipt for payment. Such documents are needed for reporting and fiscal services.

Push notifications. The platform should inform users about important events for them, for example, when a request is received from a customer, a new message, payment for an order, etc. It improves user experience and engagement.

Help Section. Information about the conditions, rules and nuances of working on the platform. Text and video guides with detailed instructions for customers and performers. Frequently Asked Questions and Feedback Form.

Step 4: Marketplace Monetization Models

TaskRabbit’s revenue model is quite simple: the contractor pays 15% of each transaction as a service charge. This means that if the task costs $ 100 (for example, 2 hours of work at a rate of $ 50 per hour), the customer will pay these $ 100, and the contractor will receive $ 85.

When creating your site like TaskRabbit, you can use a similar approach or choose a different monetization model:

1. Information fee (leadership fee). With this approach, the customer pays for viewing the listing or for hidden information about the artist (usually these are contacts or some kind of analytics). Or vice versa: the contractor pays for the disclosure of customer contacts. This model is used by Fiverr, Upwork, as well as a direct competitor to TaskRabbit - Thumbtack (20%).
2. Registration fee. As the name implies, in this model, users pay a fixed amount when registering. In other markets, this monetization method is also called an “early access fee”. Example: Google Stadia charges $ 129 and $ 300 for early access to the service.
3. Subscription fee. Issuing a monthly or annual subscription for access to the platform or its specific functions (package of functions or for each premium function separately). Usually now they use the second option, as this increases the audience reach. Example: Amazon Prime.
4. Listing fee. The user pays a certain amount or percentage of the transaction for creating an ad. This method allows you to deal with spam ads, so it is often used by large marketplaces. For example, Etsy, Craigslist and Flippa. On some sites they give several free ads per month and only after exceeding the limit they enter a fee.
5. Paid advertising. Promotion of individual artists with a more striking design, place in the recommendations and the location at the top of the listing. In addition, you can advertise third-party services, sites, brands and products. For example, TaskRabbit advertises IKEA on its website (for free, since IKEA bought TaskRabbit in 2017).

Step 5: Marketing Strategies

The TaskRabbit marketing strategy is based on three pillars: word of mouth, search engine optimization and affiliate program. Social networks and mailing are also involved, but not so much. When launching your own services market like TaskRabbit, you can take a similar path. For this you need:

1. Develop an affiliate program that will benefit both customers and contractors. For example, when Airbnb was just starting out, they paid $ 25 for each new tenant and $ 75 for a homeowner. The TaskRabbit website also has its own affiliate program, the conditions are here.
2. By launching paid advertising campaigns on social networks. Ideally, you should use influence marketing in conjunction with regular advertising. This is described in detail in the article “10 Successful digital marketing strategies for e-commerce (real cases)”. Use these practices to launch your project.
3. Using SEO. Usually, a blog is created for this, where they talk about what is interesting and useful to potential buyers. In addition, you can also use SEO and search engine advertising to “steal” traffic from competitors (if they are). How to do this is described in the article “The Best digital marketing strategies for startups”.

Cost of a clone of a TaskRabbit site

Ready solutions. If you buy a clone of the TaskRabbit site, then its cost will mainly depend on the software provider (country, experience, portfolio) and available functions. Usually it is from 500 to several thousand dollars. In addition, you can also find a TaskRabbit clone among WordPress themes. Their price is from 0 to 1000 dollars. It's cheaper, but be prepared for very low uniqueness as well as security issues (a common problem for all WordPress themes).

In addition to the cost of the TaskRabbit clone, there may be other costs:

1. The cost of installing / configuring the site - from $ 200
2. Connection and hosting setup - $ 100 (+ 10-500 dollars per month).
3. One additional language - from $ 200
4. New logo design - $ 100.

Subscription fee. In addition, there are still SaaS solutions (Software as a service). Such site clones will cost you from 30 to a thousand dollars a month. At the same time, you will also need to pay extra for connection and configuration, but in this case you will not need to think about the development and technical support of the site. This is usually the responsibility of the software provider.

Website development from scratch. If you want to create a TaskRabbit clone from scratch, then the development will cost from 5 to 20 thousand dollars (if not more). At the same time, you can go the easy way by hiring a technical partner and outsourcing the development to him. Or you can hire a team on staff. With this approach, your costs: salary, social benefits, insurance, premises and equipment.

Normal Web Development Team:

• 1 project manager.
• 2 developers (frontend, backend).
• 2 UX / UI designers.
• 1 QA expert.

Taskrabbit Website Clone - How to Build a Website Like Taskrabbit key takeaways:

#1. Step 1: TaskRabbit Business Model
#2. Step 2: the algorithm of the platform
#3. Step 3: Basic and Advanced Features
#4. Step 4: Marketplace Monetization Models
#5. Step 5: Marketing Strategies
#6. Cost of a clone of a TaskRabbit site