Extending Magento to support renting

The availability

In a webshop where products are sold, everything can be easily linked to an inventory management system. For rentals, an inventory management system is not sufficient. It’s important to know whether a product or space is available on the dates indicated by the customer. This means the system also requires a calendar function. This is not available in Magento by default.

Logistical aspects

For a purchase in a webshop, only an address is needed for shipping. Rentals require both a pickup and return location. This information must be included in the checkout process. Magento is primarily geared towards shipping options and in-store pickup. It doesn’t support multiple locations. 

The shortcomings of standard Magento for rentals

Standard Magento is not suitable for entrepreneurs who want to offer rental services. Above, we have given you a clear impression of the main differences between selling and renting via Magento. This makes it clear that Magento lacks many functionalities for rentals. Below, you will find an overview of the main shortcomings of Magento for renting out spaces or equipment.

It's not possible to set rental prices per day or week

Magento is a system that exclusively works with fixed sales prices. It’s not possible to set prices based on days, weeks, or months. As a result, it’s impossible to automatically calculate a total price for a specific rental period for a customer.

There is no date selection system available

Another issue with Magento is the lack of a date selection system. Customers can’t choose a start and end date for the rental. This means customers must always contact you regarding this. Another option is to use an external date selection system. A disadvantage is that this makes the online environment less user-friendly and efficient. 

There are no specific rental options

Renting involves more than selling. It’s important to allow for selecting pickup and return locations. Rental terms must be indicated. Additional services, such as insurance, may need to be offered. None of this is available in a standard Magento environment. 

We have developed a custom solution

For one of our clients, we developed custom extensions to eliminate Magento’s rental limitations. These extensions were designed to add rental functionalities to Magento. This way, the platform better meets the needs of the rental sector. Practical solutions arise that make rentals both possible and efficient. We will walk you through some of these solutions.

Calculating prices based on the rental period

Calculating prices based on the chosen rental period is made possible by our customized extension. Customers can easily select the start and end dates for their desired rental. The system then automatically calculates the rental price. It’s also possible to add additional options, such as surcharges for peak dates or discounts for longer rental periods.

Calendar functionality for availability

We’ve added a calendar to the platform. This is ideal for avoiding double bookings. The calendar displays the real-time availability of the space or product. Customers can easily see which dates are available and adjust their reservation accordingly.

Adding multiple locations

Our extension makes it possible to add multiple locations. You can add a location where items to be rented can be picked up. Naturally, you can also add a location where rented items can be returned. Customers can choose the most suitable location during checkout. The system registers the selection for further processing.

A fully customized checkout

A standard checkout page is insufficient for a rental process. We’ve adapted the checkout so customers can add specific details. These include details such as rental dates, locations, and additional services. This integration ensures the rental process is seamlessly incorporated into Magento.

 We have developed additional custom features

The best solutions always come from customization. That’s why we’ve developed additional custom features. This creates the possibility of offering insurance options. Integrating notifications when the return date is approaching becomes possible, as does personalizing invoices with specific rental details. 

Why is customization important for rentals in Magento?

Magento is a sales platform, not a rental platform. Do you want to rent out to customers? Then it’s important that the process is smooth and clear. Standard Magento just doesn’t offer what you need to make this happen. Custom solutions ensure quick and easy processes for customers and they optimize internal processes. 

What are the benefits of our custom extensions?

We develop our extensions based on our client’s needs. This creates optimal flexibility. Time and costs are saved by automating manual processes. Customer satisfaction increases by offering a smooth process. The number of conversions will also increase. We combine our technical expertise with an in-depth understanding of each client’s business processes. Our team works closely with the client to map out all requirements. This enables us to design solutions for current challenges while taking scalability for future growth into account.

How exactly do we work?

We always start by analyzing the rental processes and specific requirements of the client. This helps us understand what’s needed. Based on the analysis, we design the required extensions and create a roadmap for implementation. The extensions are built by our developers and seamlessly integrated into the existing Magento environment. Before going live, the custom solution is extensively tested to ensure everything works as expected. After implementation, we provide maintenance and support to keep the solution up to date.

Do you want to offer rental services in Magento?

Do you have a Magento webshop and want to start renting out products or spaces instead of just selling? Our enthusiastic team is ready to make this possible. We offer the right custom solutions to extend Magento, making it suitable for rentals. Are you curious about what we can do for you? Feel free to contact us.