Zoopla introduces 'running costs' tool to emphasise consumer focus

Zoopla is this week introducing a new 'running costs' tool, being launched with the help of new TV advertising, to increase the portal's emphasis on consumer-friendly services.

The tool - which Zoopla says is the first of its kind - will calculate the likely monthly running costs of a property based on the portal's own data, including the price of a property being viewed online, and also on data input by the user themselves.

A monthly figure comprising mortgage repayments, energy costs, council tax and water bills will be calculated; the user can see future costs, too, by adjusting the proportion of the deposit they intend to pay, changing the mortgage repayment term, and estimating future interest rate levels.

The tool will feature in a new series of television advertisements being launched this week to coincide with the predicted increase in sales and buying activity from Easter. 

The new ad builds on the 'Knowing More' theme emphasised in Zoopla's most recent TV promotions. 

It will air during popular TV shows including Grand Designs, Lewis, Gogglebox and Coronation Street; there will also be radio advertising and 'outdoor ads' on billboards, bus stops and the like.

"Zoopla came back to TV earlier this year with a big bang and as a result our brand awareness has reached record levels. This new ad campaign will further increase brand exposure and leads for our agent members and our new tool will help better-qualify house hunters" claims ZPG chief marketing officer, Gareth Helm.