I think the concept has real potential but right now I think the first impression (what people see, the design, the explanation, etc) is really sub-par. As someone else posted, I went there to work out what the deal was, saw some photos of food (some uncooked/unprepared) and couldn't work out what was going on, so I bailed. And I think I could be a potential customer or host - I love travel, food, I've used AirBnB a few times, etc.
I think starting with photo-sharing is a bad idea, or at least it should not be a focus. Rather, hand-pick people (even with key dishes in mind) to feature on your front page. Have a pilot dinner or two, even if you have to find random tourists and offer to cook them dinner, and get a case study/testimonial or two up there with photos of the guests with their hosts. Just don't call them case studies/testimonials but something more natural and homely.
Ditch "food porn" - people don't want to eat at someone's house because it's fancy or the photos are pro, they'll eat there because they want the local experience. They want authentic homely French in a village cottage. They want Chinese with a multi-generational family in the hutongs. Ditch "airbnb" until you can better explain what you're doing.
There is a risk that people will not see your site as a meal-booking thing. They will see it as it is now and then never bother with it again. You're right to try and get feedback early and keep things moving, but I reckon your MVP needs to be closer to your eventual concept even if your withhold actual bookings for a while.
I'm a web designer in Australia who works remotely with a few people in addition to my local clients. If you want some cheap help with your design and/or to bounce off for feedback /ideas for free, email me (email in profile).
First impression: WTH is this? Waste of time.
After realising what the deal is: Could see this going international and being awesome.
Yes to everything prawn says. Tell us what the site does and please take down that food porn reference. It gave me a strong negative reaction, and I'm guessing you don't mean to associate your service with an industry that requires regular disease testing for participants....
Strategically, one option for bootstrapping might be looking for specialty food-related experiences. Perhaps launch in one or two specific markets (around SF?) and call some wineries and other food-oriented travel destinations and offer to market their products. Offering trips+experiences will justify higher prices and gives you a viral hook by encouraging users to get discounts for group travel. I'm much more likely to invite friends to a weekend outing than to the house of a stranger.
My reaction to "food porn" wasn't for the same reason as you, but just because I don't think the final product here is food porn. Food porn is slick photography of stunning meals. There might be a few home cooks that can manage that, but I don't know if the majority will and it creates a huge expectation otherwise.
Your second point made me think - Housefed Pro could even be in-kitchen dining experiences offered by winery kitchens, restaurants, etc?
The concept could be awesome in Asia, but when scams like the tea-house scam (China) are rife, it would have to be heavily policed/vetted or very much reliant on honest reviews.
I think starting with photo-sharing is a bad idea, or at least it should not be a focus. Rather, hand-pick people (even with key dishes in mind) to feature on your front page. Have a pilot dinner or two, even if you have to find random tourists and offer to cook them dinner, and get a case study/testimonial or two up there with photos of the guests with their hosts. Just don't call them case studies/testimonials but something more natural and homely.
Ditch "food porn" - people don't want to eat at someone's house because it's fancy or the photos are pro, they'll eat there because they want the local experience. They want authentic homely French in a village cottage. They want Chinese with a multi-generational family in the hutongs. Ditch "airbnb" until you can better explain what you're doing.
There is a risk that people will not see your site as a meal-booking thing. They will see it as it is now and then never bother with it again. You're right to try and get feedback early and keep things moving, but I reckon your MVP needs to be closer to your eventual concept even if your withhold actual bookings for a while.
I'm a web designer in Australia who works remotely with a few people in addition to my local clients. If you want some cheap help with your design and/or to bounce off for feedback /ideas for free, email me (email in profile).
First impression: WTH is this? Waste of time. After realising what the deal is: Could see this going international and being awesome.