Rightmove says new site ‘not a response to launch of OTM’

| Charlie Stong

Rightmove bosses say their relaunched website has been a year in the making and is not in response to the launch of On The Market.

It underlined its message  in a special briefing to EYE this week.

Rightmove is to make wholesale changes to its site, a move the portal says was prompted by the fact that 60% of its visitors now browse using either their mobile or tablet.

The new site will feature improved functions such as filters which allow potential buyers to select multiple criteria at one time – like choosing both detached and semi-detached properties.

Rightmove says response from agents who have so far seen the new design has been positive.

Other features include a side-bar map of the area being searched and a ‘change location and criteria’ bar which will move from the left hand side of the page to the top.

Crucially, the horizontal bar will remain in place at the top no matter how far users scroll down the page – similar to the one on the OnTheMarket page, although Rightmove insists it thought of the idea before OTM was launched.

Miles Shipside, Rightmove’s housing market analyst, said: “We started this over a year ago, so in terms of when OnTheMarket was launched, this was in progress before.

“When you are a UK top-ten institution you keep moving. You have momentum. But technology is changing all the time.”

Mock-up of how Rightmove's new site may look
Mock-up of how Rightmove’s new site may look

The new design will also have enhanced featured property listings and featured agent adverts.

Featured agent and featured property will also, for the first time, be visible on Rightmove’s mobile site and via apps.

The technology will, at the press of a button, automatically convert and resize the data fed into the Rightmove system so it is available in all formats.

The design is currently being tested by a small group of agents in what Rightmove calls the ‘alpha’ phase. That will be followed by a second ‘beta’ phase, where a selective number of consumers will be able to view the new site, before any final tweaks are made prior to roll-out – a date for which has yet to be set.

Alex Cubitt, Rightmove’s director for estate and lettings agencies, said: “The vast majority of agents’ feedback has been positive.

“They like the design, think it’s clean and simple. They like the featured agent feature and also featured property. They think it is much better than the current version. They feel like it will get much more engagement, now it feels like a true listing.

“For the first time this is all available on mobile – that’s the best news for agents, we think.

“The feedback we have had so far has been very good.”

James Micklethwait, Rightmove’s head of product development, said: “We make a couple of hundred small changes a month. But this is a big project. We started it more than a year ago.

“The reasons are from a consumer point of view, mobile, which we now view as our core business. It is now more than 50% of our business.

“We have always had a different mobile site but we are now using the same design. Essentially it means one bit of code which works out what device you are using and adapts for that.

“We always have an eye on the market but this is more about listening to our users.”

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49 Comments

  1. Trevor Kent
    August 21, 2015 at 07:03

    Much constructive comment on your favourite Portals can always be gleaned by scanning my columns here on EYE! Big T.

    Report
  2. PeeBee
    August 21, 2015 at 07:34

    Rightmove says new site ‘not a response to launch of OTM’

    Yeah… right!

    Rule #1 – don’t ******** a billshutter.

    Next you’ll be claiming a ‘leak’ which allowed other emerging portals to copy your next generation of upgrade.

    Oh, sorry – have I ‘inadvertently’ bu99ered up next week’s headline for you, RM?

    Diddums.

    Report
    1. PeeBee
      August 21, 2015 at 09:01

      Good morning, Rightmove – nice to see you’re reading! ;o)

      Report
  3. Simon Chan
    August 21, 2015 at 07:42

    This is like when you break up with your girlfriend and then she gets a new haircut and look. Not because she needs to make the effort to get someone new, she “just fancied a change”. Of course, dear…

    Report
    1. Gump
      August 21, 2015 at 08:22

      Really annoying when they do that, same hairstyle and make up for 6 years, one week later, smoking hot! I wonder if RM are scared of being dumped?

      Report
      1. Simon Chan
        August 21, 2015 at 08:33

        Rightmove just got a spray tan and a Brazilian. Maybe she’s the type of wife who finds Tinder on the husbands phone so is sprucing up to retain…?

        Report
        1. PeeBee
          August 21, 2015 at 09:12

          “Rightmove just got a spray tan and a Brazilian”

          COMMENT OF THE WEEK!

          Instead of a landing page – RM now have a landing strip!

          Report
        2. Robert May
          August 21, 2015 at 09:27

          Lipstick on a pig?

          Report
          1. PeeBee
            August 21, 2015 at 09:42

            Ooooh, Robert – you HAVE woken up RM’s techie department this morning!

            Congratulations – they might get on with their cloning – I mean ‘development’ work and get the job finished! ;o)

            Report
    2. Anonymous Coward
      August 21, 2015 at 08:32

      Shame they can’t put in the same level of effort to keep the relationship alive while you’re still together. Oh, hold on a mo….

      Report
      1. Disillusioned
        August 21, 2015 at 08:43

        The ones on here that criticise RM for doing something are the same people that would criticize them for doing nothing.

        Report
        1. PeeBee
          August 21, 2015 at 08:58

          I’ll take my hat off to anyone or anything being proactive, ‘Disillusioned’ – but RM crowing about reactive measures deserves an ankle chewing.

          ESPECIALLY when it allegedly takes them a year or more to turn it round.

          Where’s the positive in that?

          Would you hire a techie to pimp up your tired old website and give him/her A YEAR to produce – IN ‘TEST MODE’ ONLY?

          Thought not.

          Report
          1. 1stTimeBuyer
            August 21, 2015 at 09:17

            You very clearly have no knowledge in design and development of websites. Best you stick your what your good at, although not quite sure what that is? Hopefully beING a good estate agent!

            Report
            1. PeeBee
              August 21, 2015 at 09:25

              Let’s just say if our paths ever cross in the property market you’d better pray you’re a vendor not a purchaser.

              Anyway – whassup, 1TB – not like you defending the enemy!

              Or have you defected?  Been assimilated?

              Sold your ZPG shares?

              Or just don’t like techies getting an ankle chewing for tardy, shoddy work.

              Report
            2. Robert May
              August 21, 2015 at 09:35

              Actually for an Estate Agent that is fairly well spot on, he is demonstrating more awareness of  his digital service supplier’s domain than they are of his.

              So what are you good at 1stTimeBuyer,  you’re not an agent, not a techie, are you a rep for a tech firm?

              Report
          2. Disillusioned
            August 21, 2015 at 09:27

            Would you hire a techie to pimp up your tired old website and give him/her A YEAR to produce – IN ‘TEST MODE’ ONLY?

            Me and thee paid his wages

             

            Report
            1. PeeBee
              August 21, 2015 at 09:31

              “Me and thee paid his wages”

              And THAT, ‘Disillusioned’, is why some of us are doing something about it.

              Report
              1. Disillusioned
                August 21, 2015 at 14:11

                You may well be, but for the time being you are chucking thousands each month at RM, certainly enough to justify your properties on a clean and fresh looking site.

                Unless you still  want them on tired, old website that needs pimping up?

                Ill refrain from a ‘thought not’.

                Report
                1. PeeBee
                  August 21, 2015 at 14:27

                  THOUSANDS, ‘Disillusioned’?

                  And as far as ‘the other’ goes – was never my bag, to be honest.

                  The list of reasons is too long to bore people with – especially when the majority of them (INCLUDING those still using it…) know them already….

                  Report
                  1. PeeBee
                    August 21, 2015 at 14:34

                    ‘Disillusioned’ – help me out here.

                    Why are you disillusioned?

                    What, exactly, are you disillusioned with?

                    What can be done to restore your illusions?

                    We genuinely want to help.

                    Report
    3. PeeBee
      August 21, 2015 at 08:49

      Hmmm… all this talk about insecure partners – anyone remember the #bunnyboiler fiasco last week?

      Surely not… ;o)

      Report
      1. Anonymous Coward
        August 21, 2015 at 08:55

        I missed all that at the time – sounded fun!

        Report
        1. PeeBee
          August 21, 2015 at 08:59

          Trust me – it wasn’t.  Very unpleasant for all having to read it unfold.

          Report
  4. Robert May
    August 21, 2015 at 08:11

    “We make a couple of hundred small changes a month” Google translate – Techie to Agent “This is a legacy  (generation 3) property aggregation system that dates back to  the time of Windows 98 and ME, it is so big we can’t just start again so we have to do quite a lot to keep up”

    Report
    1. PeeBee
      August 21, 2015 at 08:50

      “…and whenever we see a really great idea being used somewhere else…” ;o)

      Report
      1. Robert May
        August 21, 2015 at 09:42

        or when some  points out that the 3rd stage feature filters aren’t obvious and have fallen off the bottom of the page!

        Report
  5. PeeBee
    August 21, 2015 at 09:48

    I’ve found ANOTHER ‘Comment Of The Week’ – this time you have to look to Tw@tter of all places:

    “Big storm on @PropIndEye, posters reckon RM has been Vajazzled ?”

    Nice one, @CodingDobby – with that kind of wit you will go far, my boy! ;o)

    Report
    1. Coding Dobby
      August 21, 2015 at 10:43

      Thank you for the mention PeeBee, I won’t be posting very often but I naturally keep an eye on subjects like this one. As you are aware of my experience, you will appreciate it will be very difficult for other service suppliers to pull the wool over agents eyes when it comes to technology and digital spin. If I spot any I will make the appropriate balancing comment.

       

      In respect of RightMove saying their site is not a response to the launch of OTM, traditional ‘waterfall analysis coding’ means this could have taken 12 months, but I would be really surprised if they are using waterfall in preference to agile which delivers rapid, often and noticeable iteration of a site.

       

      I suspect in the same way as both Google and Zoopla have made recent changes to their site which bare coincidental similarities to the work I have built into rummage4. There is going to be a natural evolution of technology and clever work will be copied.

       

      I am excited to be part of these changes, which are continually driving up standards.

      Report
      1. Robert May
        August 21, 2015 at 12:39

        @Coding Dobby welcome to Property Industry Eye. Thank for making it clear that you work for Rummage4, that alone is raising the standard on service supplier staff who do not declare their interest or the  motivation behind their posts.

        Rummage4 raising standards in the property industry.

        Report
      2. PeeBee
        August 21, 2015 at 12:52

        Earth – Andorian translation assist please, someone?

        I’m relatively proficient in ‘K’ingon’, and can at least manage to order two large beers in ‘Vulcan’… haven’t yet mastered the tongues of the outer galaxies… ;o)

        Report
        1. PeeBee
          August 21, 2015 at 12:53

          Robert – he’s your pet – what the chuff did he say?

          Report
          1. Robert May
            August 21, 2015 at 13:18

            Thank you

            I’ll keep an eye open for more shillbutt and tell you all how it is in the real world.

            The  development of Rightmove is hindered by its age and the way they are coding. One big update that they have thought long and hard about as opposed to  small incremental changes that can be tested on the  customers and consumers and abandoned if wrong.

            Rightmove, Zoopla and even Google are making changes that mirror the functions of Rummage4;  the ‘local’ stuff and  natural search terms are changes we have noticed and documented in the past 5 months.

            He likes working for Rummage4 and the opportunity to innovate rather than just write code off an analysis sheet. He also likes the interaction with Estate Agents.

            (I know you mean no malice but have to say, he is very much a respected equal, he is a free Elf!)

             

            Report
            1. PeeBee
              August 21, 2015 at 13:27

              I used the phrase ‘pet’ as in ‘teacher’s…’! ;o)

              Report
              1. Robert May
                August 21, 2015 at 14:08

                Sorry I thought you were referring  back to  stuff in the News of the World, ‘Cornish Piskie Gangmaster abuse’

                 

                 

                Report
                1. PeeBee
                  August 21, 2015 at 14:17

                  Erm… I must have missed that weeks’ edition…!

                  Report
  6. smile please
    August 21, 2015 at 09:49

    Interesting, as i was speaking to a RM rep recently and having my usual moan about fees etc and he said they are now much more focused on the service to the agent since the launch of OTM.

    I Just laughed at him, and asked if fees will be reduced this year instead of an increase, answer surprisingly was no!

    Report
    1. PeeBee
      August 21, 2015 at 09:56

      See you on ‘the other side’ soon then, sp! ;o)

      Report
      1. smile please
        August 21, 2015 at 10:07

        Not until they address my concerns they wont. But here’s hoping!

        Report
        1. PeeBee
          August 21, 2015 at 13:31

          Come on folks don’t idly dismiss the concerns of smile please with a ‘Dislike’ – debate and discuss instead!

          Mr O’Dell – if you’re reading this – aren’t ‘objections’ just buying signals in disguise?

          Report
  7. Beano
    August 21, 2015 at 10:08

    “When you are a UK top-ten institution you keep moving. You have momentum. But technology is changing all the time.”   If ever a statement showed you just how pie in the sky these people are.

    Report
  8. Trevor Gillham
    August 21, 2015 at 10:20

    Looks like they are making more room for banners, it looks rubbish imo, they are on the same level as ebay, it makes loads of money so why change it, RM has hardly changed in the last 5 years since i was uploading.

    Report
  9. Robert May
    August 21, 2015 at 12:43

    I reckon I won that one; 16 dislikes for a factually correct comment.  If you  can’t take the truth, be honest!

    Report
  10. GPL
    August 21, 2015 at 13:39

    I can’t resist! …..even whilst on holiday I am moved by Planet Blightmove’s Statement!

    Credit where credit is due….. Blightmove are not dumb enough to ignore OnTheMarket.com ….what is staggering from Miles is that he should even mention OnTheMarket.com from his/their lofty position as Darth Vadar Portal No 1… who would have thought they would ever have willingly chosen to mention another portal in the same breath as their own!?

    Bloopla have hoisted their Jolly Aldi Flag and are sailing the Retail Seas to acquire anything to do with anything so they can sell anything in their fruitless search for profit/performance to rival Blightmove’s Petty Cash!

    As we see another wad of shares cashed in by Bloolpla’s Captain Chesterman it is appropriate to consider rebranding Zoopla/Bloopla to AlexChesterman.com!…. as that is basically what they are there for, to keep their Captain swinging his Share Parrot from his shoulder…. laughing all the way to his own personal Treasure Island!

    It’s a monumental nod of reluctant approval from Blightmove that they have actually been moved by the arrival of OnTheMarket.com to develop their portal after their lazy years of charging members whilst sucking their own profit thumbs!

    Dear Blightmove….. on your re-design can you actually do something about the effing ? symbols that appear when a member copies and pastes room dimensions from their Gates Branded Software….. your advice twaddled out for years stating one should copy then paste into Notepad then into Rightmove is getting soooooo tiresome and is quite frankly a fine indication that on the relevant user detail/problems you much prefer unzipping and performing like a disinterested fountain.

    I got my Rightmove Happy as Miles Shipside & Co have actually responded to a New Portal…. whaddaya know…. even Darth Portal has to deal with The Minions!

    On a separate topic….. a fine lunch at The Badachro Inn near Gairloch, Wester Ross, unspolit harbour views with the only portals being on small boats moored there!…. then 2 wheeled touring including sightings of eagles & sea eagles!….rather a lot of this unspolit part of Scotland is owned by The Lego Family?…. I know…. I can’t see their Scottish/UK links either however they have soooo much money from these plastic building blocks, what else can they do?…… what next for AlexChesterman.com…. all that money to spend Alex… perhaps like Blightmove you should doff your cap at each and every UK Estate Agent that has filled your pockets!

    ….back to my hols!

     

    Report
    1. Robert May
      August 21, 2015 at 14:10

      Yay!!!!!! Welcome home!

      Report
    2. PeeBee
      August 21, 2015 at 14:14

      WELCOME BACK!

      Some believed there was more chance of seeing Nessie doing a Highland Fling in the Trossachs than your return – I for one am one happy chappy (but not THE ‘HappyChapy’ from old…) to see your post, matey!

      Enjoy the rest of your hol and come back refreshed, rollin’ and hatin’ as usual! ;o)

      Report
  11. Tuf Luv
    August 21, 2015 at 14:18

    RM the little portal that could. Ok so unless you’re high or your dials stuck on stupid you have to figure this is a shake down (for higher fees) that aint gonna leave you with much else than walking around money. Jeez it don’t take reading The Secret from beginning to end and in that order to see they’re trying to re-frame the issue. Got us talking about the new site but the new fees heading your way? Not so much.

    Dude a lot of us diarised “LEAVE RM TODAY.” Sure we did. Mines in permanent ink though. I’m guessing Smithy’s wishing his little heathen did the same with Ha*rt. Good times.

    Report
  12. GPL
    August 21, 2015 at 15:03

    Ship Ahoy Shipmates May & PeeBee…. odd that you mention Nessie PB… he was sitting at the next table to me…. having a burger….. fed up with Seafood!…. exhausted keeping a low profile with all those summer tourists, cameras at the ready. When quizzed about portals he started twitching so I quietly left.

    Ros was kind enough to email me following the Stranger in The Bar incident and I noted your cheery comments….. I am surprised at the protests outside my castle from Disillusioned, Haree & Co begging me to return to PIE…. apparently they missed throwing their stones at someone!…. so, I thought it forgiving to grant their most important wish…. my return!…. like Mission Impossible 6!… or is that 7?

    With a swirl of my kilt and and swing of my portal sword…. once more I trip into the PIE Inn!

    ….and TufLuv in the Inn as well…. tis a cheery place!

    Hoots Mon!

    Report
  13. PeeBee
    August 21, 2015 at 15:09

    WELL DONE, Charlie!

    Just a couple of weeks into the job – and ONE ARTICLE of yours gets as much if not more response from the nice folks here in the EYE snug than ALL THOSE discussed by those strange bunch of locals down the other pub!

    Just goes to show where the industry sees the news be best aired and debated! ;o)

    Report
    1. PeeBee
      August 22, 2015 at 22:09

      And the number of ‘Dislikes’ from the eejits sitting in the other pub with NOTHING better to do because the turn is sh!te; the beer is flat and the Landlord’s jokes are flatter confirm where the fun is being had!

      Keep it up – when we see them we know we’re hurting you!

      Report
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