What metrics would you use to evaluate KAYAK's hotel comparison tool?

Introduction

Evaluating KAYAK's hotel comparison tool requires a comprehensive approach to product success metrics. To address this challenge effectively, I'll follow a structured framework that covers core metrics, supporting indicators, and risk factors while considering all key stakeholders. This approach will help us gain a holistic understanding of the tool's performance and impact.

Step 1

Product Context

KAYAK's hotel comparison tool is a key feature of their travel metasearch engine, allowing users to compare hotel prices and amenities across multiple booking sites. The primary stakeholders include:

1. Users: Travelers seeking the best hotel deals
2. Hotel partners: Properties listed on the platform
3. Booking sites: OTAs and direct hotel websites
4. KAYAK: The company itself, aiming to generate revenue and user engagement

User flow:

1. Search: Users enter destination, dates, and preferences
2. Results: Tool displays a list of hotels with prices from various sources
3. Comparison: Users can filter, sort, and compare options
4. Selection: Users choose a hotel and are redirected to complete the booking

The hotel comparison tool is central to KAYAK's strategy of being a one-stop-shop for travel planning. It competes with similar tools from other metasearch engines like Trivago and Google Hotel Search, as well as OTAs like Booking.com and Expedia.

In terms of product lifecycle, the hotel comparison tool is in the maturity stage. It's a well-established feature but requires continuous refinement to maintain competitiveness and adapt to changing user needs and market conditions.