New propertyfinder.com site launched - tell us what you think
Yesterday the new propertyfinder.com site was launched along with a new brand image for the business.
We have adopted RED as our colour to make us stand out from the crowd.
The site is based on Australia's market leading site, realestate.com.au, that has been developed over the last 5 years and also as a result of extensive market testing with consumers in the UK.
Key new features of the site are an easy to use map search, a quick and simple location search on the home page, the ability to map search results at a click of a button, easy to interact with the agents through simple email forms and access to a broad range of properties from outside of the UK.
The main changes are the introduction of a very simple to use and clear interface design.
We are always looking to improve our site so send us and email or comment on this blog about the changes you would love to see.
Comments
like the red but can't agree its easier to use. The old map was best and made you stand out from the others. the new one is...well, not very good.
Posted by: Anonymous | June 8, 2006 10:21 PM
Thank you for your comments. The new site has been based on extensive UK consumer research.
While some people liked the old site, we had significant complaints about speed, accuracy and ease of use.
The new site was test before 4 difference consumer groups in London and in Leeds and they were asked about what they wanted and liked.
The new site has significantly more features than the old site, is easier for people to find agents and to find properties and has scalability.
I realise that whenever you take step forward, that some people prefer how it was, however as readership of the site is up 25% and time on site is longer too, the consumers are voting with their feet (well fingers)
Once again, thank you for your feedback.
Posted by: Simon | June 12, 2006 07:51 AM
Hi, how can I tell if rental properties are priced per week or per month? Many thanks!
Posted by: Ed | June 14, 2006 01:22 PM
Have just been trying to find houses for sale in my local area - very difficult to home in on the specific area I want to look at - very slow. I used to check the old site every day but I'll be using other sites from now on. Sorry to be negative, but I thought you should know.
Posted by: Ann | June 18, 2006 08:18 PM
I agree with the comment above - I really loved the old site and the map was much better. I find the new site annoying to use - and doesn't the colour red make people feel angry??? Bring back the old site....
Posted by: Ness | June 19, 2006 04:26 PM
I agree with the "too much red" theme - maybe mae the map grey. The very top red strip should be grey too. Red works well as a highlight.
Also - reverse the order of the country tabs at the top. the site is for UK users - don't piss them off. i know its inconsistant with the other country sites - but you are mad to imply by the order that the uk site is "third". And I'm australian.
all the best
frank
(being frank again)
Posted by: frank | June 23, 2006 05:14 AM
While I'm on a roll - stop talking about AUSTRALIA!
There's references all through the blog comments from english users getting their noses out of joint bec of Australian references: one guy has a go at the BBQ post, another at using Australian property ads,another for hiring non-poms... Spot the theme??
Didn't you see the reaction when mac bank tried to buy the LSE? - 20% of the criticism was the price and 80% was "how dare anyone from australia think they could run something more complex than a pull-tab on a beer".
English society is super heirachical - australians are not even on the invite list - drop all references to Australia and start "UKifying" the site 100%.
99.9% of your users have exactly zero interest in the oz connection. There just isnt any upside in the implied positioning of "let some australians show you how its done..."
ozzies wouldnt like it in reverse...
end of rant.
God save the queen.
Posted by: mor frankness | June 23, 2006 05:24 AM
Once again - thank you for your comments. I agree that changing the site has caused some distress to some visitors to the site. However the good news for those advertising properties is that we have already had our busiest month ever and we still have 8 days to go! Over 1.3 million people have visited the site this month and we should reach over 1.6m.
On the question of rentals, initially there was a bug in the system now they should all show the same price as being on a per week basis.
Regards
Simon Baker
Posted by: Simon Baker | June 23, 2006 06:36 AM
I agree with the other comments - the new site is hard to use and you seem to have got place names all of a jumble. Now that this site is run by Australians, maybe you need an English guy on the team who can hold the map the right way round for you. I'll be going elsewhere in future as its impossible to use now.
Posted by: Ho | June 29, 2006 09:30 PM
Will private property be able to be advertised on the new site like it was on teh old one?
Posted by: janjen47 | July 31, 2006 06:12 PM