Local property websites - keeping up with the times

On August 6 1991, a team of engineers from CERN (the French acronym for the European Organisation for Nuclear Research), led by Sir Tim Berners-Lee, worked to provide what was the first tangible example of the potential of the World Wide Web. Today there are over 20 billion websites in the world.

It comes as no suprise then that websites have had to move rapidly with the times in order to provide the most user friendly experience, and property websites are no exception.

Johnston Press, of which the Leamington Courier Series is part, recently updated all its local property websites across the UK to ensure that the local, trusted property supplements it prints every week are accompanied by a simple but functional property search engine to help local people look for local properties.

The updated property websites, e.g. www.leamingtoncourier.co.uk/property, www.warwickcourier.co.uk/property, and www.kenilworthweeklynews.co.uk/property have proved immensely popular with the average visitor looking at seven pages - proof in itself that the user experience is of an exceptionally high standard.

Local property agents in both sales and lettings have also made very significant changes to their websites in order to ensure they sit above the rest in terms of user friendliness and functionality.

Accord Lets is already using the latest technology on its dynamic website and the recent launch of its smart phone application ensures that it reaches the widest audience possible.

With plans to enhance its website further to increase search functionality and use cutting edge mapping technology, Katie Martin, branch manager in Leamington, said: “The integration of Facebook and Twitter with our new website will help to build our relationships with existing and new customers.”

Knight & Rennie has also been very proactive in posting preliminary announcements on its website so online visitors can see not just what is available but what is coming up soon.

Martin & Co has on its websites a Landlord’s Blog that keeps landlords up-to-date with the latest developments in the lettings industry.

James Moreton, manager of Newman estate agents in Leamington, said: “It was reported that 93 per cent of all property searches now start online. At Newman’s we have invested heavily in our online presence.

“We currently advertise our properties on in excess of 400 websites making sure no buyer misses our clients’ homes.

“This investment has already, and will continue to give our clients greater success when looking to sell.”