Two big franchise agencies launch digital initiatives

Each of Hunters’ 180 branches will soon be able to create their own online branded monthly property lifestyle magazine or newspaper.

The content, created by tech firm Iceberg Digital, is “a real win for us” according to Pernilla Tweddle, marketing director at Hunters.

Iceberg Digital says that the modern estate agent’s content offering needs to highlight a brand’s professionalism, but should aim to be helpful not focus purely on the ‘hard sell’.

“Many agents out there are wondering why the marketing that they have known for the past 10+ years is no longer working and we help them understand the answers to this and implement a solution" explains Mark Burgess, chief executive of Iceberg Digital.

“Successful marketing must be a combination of branding alongside good content” he adds. 

Meanwhile another franchise giant, Winkworth, has announced a makeover of its website “carefully crafted to become more responsive to different devices such as tablet, phone and desktop.” 

The technical functionality of the site has been developed to allow for the future integration of new services - possibly including online agency services.

As soon as a customer signs up to either Winkworth’s estate agency software or the ‘MyWinkworth’ system, they will automatically be registered to have a personal online account offering “full access to all of their details online” according to a statement from the company. 

Meanwhile landlords as well as vendors will have their own property portals to access current sales or lettings transactions as well as manage viewings and other elements of the transaction.

“The new website plays a fundamental role in our plan to expand the business digitally over the next three to five years. Online services are becoming increasingly important in estate agency and therefore it’s crucial to remain at the forefront of technology and to constantly improve our digital offering” says Winkworth chief executive Dominic Agace.