London estate agency Douglas & Gordon, one of the firms which founded Agents’ Mutual, has launched a new website with a range of consumer-friendly features.
Research by the firm found that most people using an estate agent website – “as supposed to a generic property portal” it says – want “efficient ways to get more information on specific properties and arrange viewings.”
Therefore the agency’s new site allows visitors an option to book a viewing online immediately, rather than registering interest and waiting for a representative to call back.
Vendors and landlords can track the number of times their property has been viewed online, and can review feedback from potential buyers or tenants who viewed their property with a D&G agent.
The company worked with Google Enterprise to create what it calls “a bespoke intelligent mapping function that uses real time maps to show travel times between prospective properties and users’ important destinations, such as schools and workplaces.”
As well as allowing users to create an online account with their contact details, favourite properties and preferred search details, the website uses real-time profile tracking technology which enables it to ‘learn’ how people use the site. This allows Douglas & Gordon agents to match buyers and renters with properties, even if they haven’t spoken to them.
“We know our customers want their online property tools to be responsive and intelligent” says James Evans, chief executive of Douglas & Gordon.
Meanwhile OnTheMarket says the Arnolds Keys agency, which has eight branches across Norwich, Norfolk and North Suffolk, has joined the portal.
Ian Springett, OTM chief executive, says it’s been “a fantastic start to the year” with “record traffic levels achieved in January, record leads for agents and a record number of recruited offices since launch.”
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