We’re not sure that Rightmove is technically a homes agent and we’re not convinced how “shy” and retiring they are, but an Evening Standard article about one of London’s biggest advertising businesses makes for interesting reading.
According to chief operating officer Peter Brooks-Johnson: “If Rightmove were a person at a party, we’d be in the kitchen. We’re quite shy. We just do what we do.”
He emphasises how Rightmove constantly improves its website and apps, with up to 200 changes per month.
As for OnTheMarket, which launches in ten days, Brooks-Johnson is questioning, rather than “I’m not bovvered”.
The challenge, he says, is for the new site to build traffic.
“Do they have a compelling proposition that will make consumers go to the website? It’s tremendously difficult.
“The winners of the internet are focused play[er]s. We’re just going to obsess over one thing over and over.”
The article is here
Meanwhile, Harry Hill, former boss of Countrywide, tweeted his thoughts on the OnTheMarket “one other portal” rule this week: “How any agent of scale or ambition can drop Rightmove is beyond my understanding. Do those who complain of cost not remember Press Barons?”
Remind us – who founded Rightmove?
Comments (18)
They are staying quiet as they are busy thinking of some new featured agent/premium products to justify the next hike.
If you don't like it – you don't have to use it – easy!
It seems that before too long lots of us won't be using it!
Exactly, that's why I pulled the plug on my old business model, could not stand the raping of the bank account each month.
I wonder whether they are more of the opinion "The less said the better"…….. I would think they [RM] are looking to the 26th to have a clear view of which of their agents who are not on and never have been on Z have joined OTM as these will be the agents sending out a very clear message of their intent to work back towards one portal (as these are the agents who support that theory now)
The portals are really all about stock not visitors. The one drives the other. In some areas Z have all the stock and get all the visits in others it is RM. All my stock is going to OTM at least 48 hours before it gets to RM. Let's see where my enquiries come from – oh by the way I will also be e-mailing all my 3,000 contacts to tell them. Stock rules.
Before the little internet only boys start complaining that my clients will be missing out – don't even think of it. By taking control of my spending and marketing I will be providing them with a BETTER service than ever, not like some, who don't even have ANY local presence.
Stock is only one factor. Firstly you need people to know you exist. That's hard. Zoopla have spent massively doing this with only limited success. Then once they know you exist, you've got to change their surfing habit to get them to go your site over another. Again, this is challenging. The subconscious internet habits of the general population are deeply ingrained and difficult to change. It's why people go to Google as a first port of call when searching and not Bing or sone other site. Finally, once the consumer is on the site, it has to work and be polished and meet the expectations they have from the other site they were using previously.
My fear is that on launch day, the OTM site will crash and hang, and the first impression given to Joe Public is that it's amateurish. At that point they'll flick back to RM where they will stay.
Nonsense. The public would stop going to google overnight if it was no longer able to provide search results. A search engine without results is about as useless as, say….. a property portal without stock!
“If Rightmove were a person at a party, we’d be in the kitchen. We’re quite shy. We just do what we do.” A bit like Gus Fring? (Some of you will have to Google that)
"We will however, deliver more than half your leads to you via a brand that it nationally recognised and a site thats incredibly intuitive, at a cost that is far less than you used to pay for a half page spread in the Chesterfield Gazette"
and thats the crux of the matter right there – RM deliver the goods consistently and efficiently. It strikes me as odd that, for all the agents complaining about the cost of portals, it seems that those who have chosen OTM have dropped Zoopla, generally the cheaper of the two?
We’re quite shy. We just do what we do.”
"Oh and we also come and see you every January and pull your pants down re charges and there is zippo you can do about it!!!!"
You are relating to this bit! “The winners of the internet are focused play[er]s. We’re just going to obsess over one thing over and over.”………..Basically we have created a thought process with Agents and the Public that the property market cannot live with RM………
Oh and don't forget – we're almost certainly responsible for more of your sales than any other medium you have! We may be shy but we don't half do a good job for you – that's why so many of you are shyly staying with us! (No – Property Ear isn't a RM employee – she's a highly appreciative member firm)
Rightmove doesnt do sales. Its a big digital window. Sales come down to the agent winning stock and negotiating the deal.
Says the countrywide shareholder.
Meant to say Rightmove shareholder.
lol, and Zoopla