Michael Buell’s rental journey began in a small but meaningful way while serving in the U.S. Military. By offering his dump truck trailer for free to a local mental health charity, he saw the positive impact this had and realized the potential for wider community use.
He decided to expand his inventory to include other construction equipment, event supplies, and recreational gear to rent out to his local community in Utah. However, being based locally and starting primarily through word of mouth, Michael faced significant challenges in building his online rental presence.
The website creation process felt overwhelming until he discovered Booqable. With Booqable’s online booking and customer management tools, Michael was able to grow his part-time rental venture into a more professional, customer-friendly business with room to expand.
Booqable’s Rental Website Builder
Michael initially had a hard time building a working and attractive website for his rental business. Standard website builders left him feeling frustrated and unsure of how to move forward.
“I started with another website builder and had nothing but trouble. I was starting to think it would be impossible or cost a fortune. Then I found Booqable. Since then everything has been smooth sailing,” he explained.
Booqable’s built-in website builder offered a simple, all-in-one solution designed specifically for rental businesses. Without needing technical skills or hiring a developer, Michael was able to create a complete online storefront that clearly showcased his trailer and equipment inventory. The platform helped him get online quickly and confidently, making it easier to turn website visitors into paying customers.
Key benefits for his business included:
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Pre-built website templates: Customizable themes made for rental businesses helped Michael set up his site quickly and easily.
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Instant online booking and payments: Customers can browse, book, and pay for equipment directly through the site, making the rental process simple and smooth.
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Professional design at a fraction of the cost: Michael launched a clean, modern rental website without the need for an expensive developer.
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Live availability display: Products are shown with up-to-date availability, photos, and pricing, helping customers choose exactly what they need.
By removing typical technical and cost-related obstacles, Booqable helped Michael build an online presence that gave his business a more polished look and helped build trust with new customers.
For example: Listing his trailers, kayaks, portable generators, and more with photos and real-time availability has made it far easier for customers to reserve the exact equipment they need for weekend events or job sites - without requiring a phone call or manual follow-up.
Booqable’s Customer Communication
Before using Booqable, Michael’s communication process was slow and often disorganized. Each customer interaction had to be handled individually, from sending booking confirmations to follow-up emails.
“Booqable fixed everything I was struggling with: tracking orders, inventory, and communicating with customers through automated emails and messages,” Michael noted.
Booqable’s built-in communication tools now handle these tasks automatically, so Michael can spend less time on email and more time running his business. Each online booking automatically triggers the capture of customer details, the sending of an automated confirmation email, and keeps customer data organized in one place. This helps keep renters informed and reduces mistakes throughout Michael’s rental process.
Key communication benefits included:
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Automatic capture of customer details: Every online booking collects the necessary customer info without extra work.
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Instant email confirmations: Customers receive quick confirmation emails with all their rental details, making the process clear and reliable.
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Customer data management: All customer information is saved in one place, making it easy to track communication and rental history.
These tools helped reduce Michael’s workload and made the rental process easier for customers. With everything handled in one system, nothing gets missed and customers stay informed.
For example: when a customer books a kayak or a cargo trailer for a weekend trip, Booqable sends an immediate confirmation, a reminder the day before pickup, and a follow-up message after the return - all without Michael having to lift a finger. This continues to help him stay organized even during his busiest weeks.
Customer Experience and Future Growth
Michael’s customers have responded positively to the updated rental experience. Looking ahead, Michael plans to add off-road vehicles, snowmobiles, and watercraft to his inventory. With Booqable helping him manage his current business, he feels ready to take the next steps. “Booqable has done everything and more to meet my expectations,” Michael reflects.
What began as a small project during his military service has become a growing rental business. Thanks to Booqable’s easy-to-use tools and helpful features, Michael has been able to turn his business idea into something real and scalable.
