- Client: Exchange Rooms, Belgium
- Services: Web application, payments, content management
The challenge
Exchange Rooms helps exchange students sublet their room while they study abroad, and find one in the city they are moving to. The platform ran on WordPress and could not offer what the founder needed: access for verified students only, searching on a map, and a way to earn revenue while keeping listings free.
The solution
I rebuilt the platform as a web application, delivered in four phases with the founder's approval at each step.
- Only real students: accounts are verified through university email addresses, with a manual check for exceptions.
- Search on a map: students search by city, dates and budget, with prices in their own currency.
- Privacy built in: a room's exact address is only shared once students are in contact.
- Revenue model: posting a room is free; contacting a landlord requires a one-time payment.
- Full control for the founder: content, verifications and reports are managed without a developer.
Feedback during the project was incorporated directly. For example, rooms can now be listed in any city worldwide instead of a fixed list.
The result
Exchange Rooms is a platform built around its purpose, which the founder runs independently.
“When I was looking for someone to bring the Exchange Rooms project to a good end, I needed someone who could clearly understand what I needed and translate it into a functional and user-friendly website. Sjoerd stood out as a developer because I feel he understood the purpose behind the website instead of just seeing it as a project. He was communicative, responsive and incorporated feedback seamlessly. The result of this smooth collaboration is a well-functioning and attractive platform built exactly around its purpose; helping exchange students worldwide find housing abroad. Needless to say I'm very happy with the result!”
Thomas Vervoort
Founder, Exchange Rooms