Submission for 'Best Use of GPS or Location Technology' Award Category

Rightmove.co.uk is the UK’s number one property website, with more users, more advertising members and more properties than any other, receiving 550 million page impressions per month and more than 80,000 unique iPhone visitors per month. (Rightmove site stats, August 2009)

Rightmove wanted to be the first property website with an iPhone application and saw the evolution into mobile communications, not just as a way to increase the exposure they offered to their agents but also as an opportunity to change the face of house hunting by offering iPhone users a significantly more convenient and dynamic way to find their next property.

The innovation in GPS technology embedded in the iPhone allowed 2ergo to develop an app based around ‘current location technology’ that delivered much more than a standard catalogue of products.

It meant house hunters could now search for properties in their immediate vicinity, either as soon as they arrived in their preferred area, or if they found themselves in a new location where they did not know the market, they could use the application to look for properties nearby instantly. This feature works alongside the traditional search tool, where the user can specify an area or postcode.

The app ‘s additional features also allowed users to save properties, view slideshows of images, view property locations on a map and save searches with specific filters set for future searching. Direct calls can also be made to relevant estate agents through a “Call Me” button, and users can also send property details on to friends through email.

From project inception to completion, designing, delivering and launching the Rightmove app took six weeks ensuring that Rightmove gained first mover advantage and maintained their market lead. In July 2009 the application was officially launched, offered for free as part of a mobile campaign to help house hunters find that elusive dream home, even in the hardest of times.

The app reached number one in the iPhone App store within the first week of release, and has received more than 2000 reviews from users. It was downloaded 150,000 times in its first month with an average of 42,000 users accessing the application every day which equates to some 1.5million searches taking place via the site in its first month.

The site is currently generating over 500 leads to UK estate agents every day. Apple recognised the Rightmove app’s swift ascent in popularity and supported its organic growth by including it in its feature app section in the Apple App store and also in its What’s Hot section.

The Rightmove app has revolutionised the house hunting process and armed house hunters with a practical and dynamic way of conducting a search as well as enabling estate agents and landlords to monitor prices in their areas.