Location Facile

In Benin, finding a rental property still largely relies on word of mouth and social media. Location Facile set out to change that by offering an online platform where landlords and real estate agents can list their properties, and tenants can browse and contact the promoter directly. The challenge: building a tool that's easy to use for an audience not always familiar with web platforms, while automating listing distribution across the channels Beninese people already use — WhatsApp and Facebook.

In Benin, finding a rental property still largely relies on word of mouth and social media. Location Facile set out to change that by offering an online platform where landlords and real estate agents can list their properties, and tenants can browse and contact the promoter directly. The challenge: building a tool that's easy to use for an audience not always familiar with web platforms, while automating listing distribution across the channels Beninese people already use — WhatsApp and Facebook.

What we built

We developed a complete platform with Symfony, structured around five key areas:

1. Automated multichannel publishing — Every newly approved listing is automatically published to the company's Facebook page via the Meta API, and relevant users receive WhatsApp notifications through the WhatsApp Business API. The result: a listing visible simultaneously on the website, WhatsApp, and Facebook, with no manual intervention.
2. AI-powered property search — Visitors can search for a property using natural language, just as they would in conversation. The platform understands local Beninese vocabulary and automatically interprets search criteria to deliver the most relevant results.
3. 360° virtual tours — Listings can include navigable panoramic images, allowing visitors to explore a property without leaving home. Photo galleries and videos complement each listing's presentation.
4. Real-time chat — A live messaging system is built directly into the site, enabling visitors to communicate with support or agents, with file attachment support.
5. Simplified sign-up — Users can register and log in via their Google account, Facebook account, or simply with their phone number, minimizing friction at every step.