<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0"><channel><title>Optra Blog — Guides for local sellers</title><description>Practical guides and comparisons for selling food, products, services, and stays online in Maryland — fees, fulfilment, bookings, and growing your local business on Optra.</description><link>https://getoptra.com/</link><language>en-us</language><item><title>How to Host Short Stays in Maryland (and Actually Get Booked)</title><link>https://getoptra.com/blog/how-to-host-short-stays-maryland/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://getoptra.com/blog/how-to-host-short-stays-maryland/</guid><description>Thinking about renting out a room, a loft, or a whole place in Maryland? A simple guide to listing a short stay, setting fair prices, and getting booked on Optra — without the big-platform fees.</description><pubDate>Mon, 15 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate><category>Guides</category><author>The Optra Team</author></item><item><title>Optra vs Building Your Own Website: Which Is Better for Local Sellers?</title><link>https://getoptra.com/blog/optra-vs-building-your-own-website/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://getoptra.com/blog/optra-vs-building-your-own-website/</guid><description>Should a local business build its own website or sell on a marketplace like Optra? An honest look at cost, discovery, payments, and effort — and when each one makes sense.</description><pubDate>Mon, 15 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate><category>Comparisons</category><author>The Optra Team</author></item><item><title>How to Sell Your Products Online in Maryland Without the Big Marketplace Fees</title><link>https://getoptra.com/blog/sell-products-online-maryland-no-marketplace-fees/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://getoptra.com/blog/sell-products-online-maryland-no-marketplace-fees/</guid><description>Boutiques, makers, and local shops: a step-by-step guide to selling your products online in Maryland — your own storefront, pickup or your own delivery, secure payment, and none of the per-sale fees the big marketplaces take.</description><pubDate>Mon, 15 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate><category>Guides</category><author>The Optra Team</author></item><item><title>How to Take Bookings Online for Your Service Business</title><link>https://getoptra.com/blog/take-bookings-online-service-business/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://getoptra.com/blog/take-bookings-online-service-business/</guid><description>Salons, barbers, cleaners, and repair pros: a simple guide to letting customers book you online 24/7 — with real-time availability, deposits to cut no-shows, and secure payment.</description><pubDate>Sun, 14 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate><category>Guides</category><author>The Optra Team</author></item><item><title>Looking for a DoorDash Alternative? How Optra Works for Local Restaurants</title><link>https://getoptra.com/blog/doordash-alternative-local-restaurants/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://getoptra.com/blog/doordash-alternative-local-restaurants/</guid><description>High commissions and no control over delivery push a lot of local restaurants to look for a DoorDash alternative. Here is how Optra is different — lower fees, your own fulfilment, and reviews you actually own.</description><pubDate>Fri, 12 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate><category>Comparisons</category><author>The Optra Team</author></item><item><title>How to Start Selling Food Online in Maryland (2026 Guide)</title><link>https://getoptra.com/blog/how-to-sell-food-online-maryland/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">https://getoptra.com/blog/how-to-sell-food-online-maryland/</guid><description>A practical, step-by-step guide to taking your Maryland food business online — pickup or your own delivery, secure payment, and automatic payouts, without losing a third of every order.</description><pubDate>Wed, 10 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate><category>Guides</category><author>The Optra Team</author></item></channel></rss>