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RE/MAX WEBSITE REVOLUTIONISES PROPERTY SEARCHRE/MAX of Southern Africa has launched its new website where a range of improvements have been made in order to enhance the overall user experience. Developed by White Wall Web, a leading software development company specialising in web-based applications, the new RE/MAX of Southern Africa website, www.remax.co.za, has been re-designed specifically with user experience in mind. Incorporating unique features such as categorised search functions which have been based around the way in which buyers search for properties, along with an interface that has a less cluttered appeal, the new RE/MAX website has an easier user flow, with a stronger focus on searching and finding results. Says Adrian Goslett, CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa: "Previously our website was more of a platform for potential buyers to purely view properties. Now it has now been transformed with a fundamental shift towards user experience, making it a useful tool for buyers to search and find properties in a user-friendly way." From a technical point of view, Noel Ross-Gillespie of White Wall Web explains that because the new RE/MAX website has reduced dependence on JavaScript, users will enjoy faster page loads, another factor that will ensure a better user experience. "Less JavaScript also ensures more pages will be indexed, leading to improved search engine optimisation and therefore greater accessibility via search engines. The browser-friendly elements of this website, especially the visibility to search engines, will also ensure listed properties have a much better exposure in the market," he says. It is the fact that the website has the technical ability and flexibility to allow users to drill down and search for specific property types from residential homes and rental properties to farms and commercial buildings that makes it so user-friendly. In addition there is a rapid search function on the home page where users only need to type in the first few letters of a suburb for a range of options to pop up. Aside from buyers being able to search and find properties which closely match their search criteria, sellers will also find myriad features on the new RE/MAX site which will assist them too. "Our office search has been revamped to help sellers find the closest RE/MAX office and our agent search has also been updated to allow a seller to find a specific agent," explains Goslett. "In addition, our sellers section lets the potential seller list the basic details of their property and their contact details, which can then be sent to their closest RE/MAX office. This function will enable the relevant agent to be far more informed when they contact the potential seller about the property." Goslett says that one of the biggest benefits of the new website for RE/MAX agents is that their listed properties are being showcased in such a way that they will be more visible and much easier for buyers to find during a search. The website also includes a show house section which will allow potential property buyers to see what's on show and also request a showing of any property they like the look of. Some of the featured properties include video tours, which are linked to a RE/MAX office YouTube brand channel. Other social media aspects including links to the RE/MAX Facebook fan page, twitter profile, and the RE/MAX YouTube brand channel have been incorporated so that interested browsers can keep up to date on current happenings in the property industry and RE/MAX specific news. In addition, both the CEO and Chairman have a blog space on the site which gives a running commentary on the South African property market, its opportunities and challenges, news and topics of interest. Furthermore, the RE/MAX website incorporates links to a variety of video content, also from the RE/MAX YouTube brand channel. While these videos currently convey generic RE/MAX messages, Goslett says that they will be used for specialised messages in the future. Anyone looking to find out more about selling or buying a property through RE/MAX, buying RE/MAX franchise or joining the brand can do so at the click of a mouse. At present www.remax.co.za receives approximately 125 000 hits per month. Goslett says that they are hoping to attract an increase of between 10% and 20% in web traffic over the coming months with the new look site boasting enhanced user functionality. "However, our main focus is to grow long term site loyalty rather than short term gains," he concludes.
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