London Realtors Show Signs of Digital Awareness - RealtyBizNews: Real Estate News & More

You can get our headlines via email as well, or follow us on Twitter. This week we examine the UK market, and take a look at the companies online for selected cities there. Just what can UK buyers and sellers expect from their agents. Not unlike their US counterparts, a brief examination reveals some missing links in British Real Estate business online. Or, maybe this was my impression of UK business in general. Where the Foxton people really fail though, is almost exactly where most US Realtors do, in understanding 21st Century marketing online. Facebook and Twitter, any sort of two way communication, are missing. They need to embrace the reality that their digital brand and storefront is lacking. Rating: 1 of 10 (for somehow getting in the top 10 on google, not once, but  TWICE. That is, if one can get past the quirky and ugly landing. Check out the superb commercial these guys have on their YouTube Channel. But, if you can get past goofy navigation to find these guys (or find em via Facebook first), even their blog is up to date (too bad they did not make it findaproperty. Rating: 7 of 10 (this means I would probably call them)Rightmove Really Moving RightRightmove is clearly doing a great many things right. But, like so many big companies, they do not fully integrate things. Over 13,000 Facebook fans and they are not proud enough of this to put a button on the main website. This may seem picky to some, but we are talking a multi million pound operation here. And, I know what it takes to get 13,000 followers too. Their blog is edgy and nice (all be it not totally up to date). With over 90% of properties for sale and to rent in the UK, we are by far the UK's leading property website. Rating: 8 of 10 (Rightmove would be the second best digital engagement we have tested with some tweaks). As you can see, two companies appear to dominate the digital landscape for London. But then, why some others of these even exist is a mystery too. I must say I very much like Rightmove and Findaproperty -as their scores indicate. Clearly these companies understand the value of not only social media, but presenting properties to a waiting online customer base. Compared to their competition, these two companies are light years ahead. More later when we do in depth analysis of worldwide players. One thing the reader will notice in this analysis, versus American counterparts, is the absence of broker names and faces. Seeing the hand you are going to shake, the smile that will greet you, is not something anyone can readily find on a UK real estate website. Realtors