FocalAgent have partnered with Zoopla in a pilot to offer professional marketing services and access to the FocalAgent Smart Viewing platform to estate agents registered with Zoopla.
FocalAgent, the leading marketplace connecting estate agents with professional property marketing solutions, and the largest professional visual content provider to UK Estate Agents, have started a pilot with the UK’s most comprehensive property destination, Zoopla, to give select agents access to the Smart Viewing platform to conduct safe and effective virtual viewings.
CEO of FocalAgent, Lee Wainwright, says, “We know that estate agencies are people businesses and we’ve created technology that allows for virtual viewings to be controlled by the agent so the consumers gets the best possible experience which achieves two things.
Firstly, it increases the genuine interest of a potential tenant or buyer who has the opportunity to ask the questions pertinent to them and their situation. Secondly, Smart Viewing reduces (and in some cases can replace) the need for physical viewings.
This platform has been tremendously successful for our partners both during and post lockdown. Innovation is extremely important to Zoopla and Focal. and this partnership is going to create real value for estate agents and consumers.”
The innovative partnership will be made available to a limited number of agents in a pilot with a view to make the service available to all estate agents via Zoopla in the near future. In the pilot agents will get:
- Free access to Smart Viewing to conduct safe and effective virtual viewings for properties listed on Zoopla
- Ability to conduct virtual viewings with existing photography or virtual tours
- Access to professional content capture, including photography, floor plans, 360 tours and video trailers
- All the benefits of resulting increased customer engagement on Zoopla as a result of being able to offer the virtual viewings service to home seekers
Andy Marshall, Zoopla Chief Commercial Officer says: “Agents can provide home movers with a best-in-class virtual viewing experience, and an alternative to physical viewings, which is crucial when the threat of Covid means that many home movers and agents may be hesitant to tour a property in person.
It was important to us that the technology offered agents the opportunity to ‘guide’ and tailor their tours – as it helps build a rapport with each consumer and to refine what they’re looking for.
Given our commitment to make life easier for agents and consumers, we are excited to see the results of the pilot. Virtual viewing technology implemented internationally has proved to be a resounding success, and a means with which to confirm a prospective buyer’s interest before going to see the property in person.
If that success translates to the initial pilot, we will be looking to expand this partnership with FocalAgent and offer these benefits to all Zoopla agents across the length and breadth of the UK.”
For anyone interested in registering for the service, please do so here.
