Zoopla to spend millions on improving software products – and combining them into just one
oopla has announced a multi-million pound investment into its stable of estate agency software – plus a new strategy. Some 10,000 agents will start to see product updates shortly.
Ultimately the goal is to combine all the products into one market-leading mobile-enabled service.
Until this happens, though, Zoopla’s full suite of existing software products will continue with full support.
The strategy will be spearheaded by Zoopla’s new head of product for software and productivity, Carl Olivier, who joined in February from Skype.
The new initiative will result in the delivery of what Zoopla describes as market-leading customer relationship management software.
The strategy follows ZPG’s acquisition last year by US equity firm Silver Lake for £2.2bn.
Zoopla’s software products include those under the umbrella of the Property Software Group acquired in 2016, and Expert Agent acquired in 2017.
Zoopla managing director Charlie Bryant said: “With the property market facing mounting pressure from all angles, agents need innovative partners that will give them the competitive edge to be successful.
“Following ongoing engagement with our agent customers and the gathering of their feedback, we are investing heavily in technologies that will enable a truly hybrid property lifecycle.
“It is more important than ever before to have an ‘always on’ approach with consumers.
“As a key example, our recent research shows that the most popular time for an agent to receive an enquiry from a potential buyer is between 8pm and 9pm.
“Our new software strategy will give agents the power of disruptive online and mobile technologies resulting in an improvement in the quality of leads and efficiencies for their businesses and, in turn, providing value to their customers.
“As part of this investment, we are committed to supporting our existing agent software platforms.
“Nearly 10,000 agents rely on Zoopla software products to run their businesses day-to-day and we will ensure continuous improvement of these products to help them run their agencies every day.”