Rightmove, the property portal, has given its platform an overhaul taking on board feedback from estate agents. The changes come as its discounted fees period comes to an end post Lockdown.
With the spike in proptech and virtual viewings during 2020/ 2021, agents had specifically requested that listings better support video integration and were on the whole, more visual. After a trial run of the changes on Righmove’s overseas platform, the changes have been since been applied to the UK variant.
A few of the changes also suggest that the property portal will be making a move towards online auctions in the future. For the full lowdown on the changes, keep reading.
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The changes you’ll find across Rightmove include…
- More pictures – In response to the agent’s request for a more ‘visual’ listing, the standard Rightmove listing now shows three pictures opposed to one when its first viewed.
- Video integration – Videos in the new version of Rightmove are far more integrated into the listing, meaning that virtual tours are now even easier for buyers to discover. They also don’t feel like an added extra – they’re part of the software. You can’t miss the big play button either, especially on a mobile listing, as it’s the first thing to show in the bank of content below the image carousel.
- Agent details – Rightmove beta dedicates more space to the agent’s contact details, which on desktop at least, follow users down the page. A change designed to increase the likelihood of an agent receiving an enquiry. And while these details are shunted towards the bottom of the listing on mobile, there are two buttons that follow buyers down the page, which read: ‘call agent’ and ’email agent’
- Faster page speed – To improve user experience and reduce the amount of buyers clicking away from slow-loading listings, Rightmove has also managed to make listings load faster.
- Whats App integration – The refreshed Rightmove listings also include the ability to share over Whats App, to boost the exposure that a property achieves.
Rightmove’s shift towards property auctions is clear through changes like…
- Auction buttons – The new Rightmove platform now includes a ‘bid to purchase’ button to distinguish auction properties from anything else on the market.
- Near real-time bids – This latest version of the Rightmove listing also features a new real-time bidding tool that’s been developed alongside, iamsold – the largest provider of online conditional auctions. This means that for any property that’s sent to auction, buyers will be able to view the approximate bids made against an auction property. Particularly useful if you’re wondering how much a property sells for at auction.
What does PPO think about Rightmove 2.0?
Here at PPO, we think these new changes to Rightmove listings say quite a bit. Not only do they suggest that property portals are becoming more user friendly, but also that (in the case of Rightmove), they’re quickly adapting to the changes brought about by Covid 19. All great, but there is one thing in particular, which we think may be the sole reason behind this new update.
Online auctions. You see, as much as Rightmove try and label these new additions as ‘tweaks’ or ‘improvements’, you can’t help but wonder if they’re trying out a new platform. An online auction platform, perhaps?
Put it this way, integrating auction technology to listings would seem like a logical first step. Trial the software, gauge the impact and if feedback seems positive, integrate it on larger level. So would it be crazy to suggest that in the future Rightmove may launch its own online auction platform? We don’t think so.
Want to make comment on Rightmove’s latest changes? Or, share how they’ve affected the success of your property sale? Get in touch with our editor today.
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