Over time, under PBL, their data processing got better, as did the data feeding from head offices who often had never loaded as an entire group before ( most load as single offices).

By the time I returned, the data feed was good, and I have refined that plus added the critical features which allow ordinary staff to be able to fix issues instantly or give a direct login for agents to edit their own listings instantly.

Also there is a xml receipting engine now which is ideal for investigating issues and solving them by tracing the data flow. Groups loading now have reported no problems at all over the last few months, but we can fix whatever comes very quickly now without needing high level IT staff.

I don’t expect anybody will be getting high enquiry levels at this time, until the marketing push begins – and that will be done region by region, not nationally in one go. We need the stock before we can market the site effectively.

I am looking forward to seeing the new design. The only real issue I have had recently has been over the accuracy of the data which I have given examples of previously. That of course was left over from when you took over so I am hoping you have sorted that out by now as I have not remembered to go back and check..

During the MyHome version one we received just two enquiries but about a dozen complaints and that was a legitimate reason to cut the cord. If that problem is truly gone then lets get it on

BTW.. name me a perfect site??

Even for those who don’t believe it will work, can still place an “each way” bet – without costs or hassles – by loading – what has anyone got to lose?

I know there are some die hard pessimists here – but seriously – is there a legitimate reason for anyone not joining now?

Its ready to go, its enterprise class and its real – not just an idea.

2009 is the start of the push – stay tuned for fresh ideas being implemented, including viable revenue streams which can keep it performing.

ps – please note I didn’t say its perfect – but it is a very good portal, about to change to my new improved design format, which answers many of the issues raised. Comments as always welcomed, here or directly. Thank you.

The portals don’t refer any traffic to agency websites from your (your vendors’) listings, only from your agency’s profile pages, as I understand it i.e. they are ‘fenced’ environments.

However, the portals do compete with your website (and its listings) on Google. Ironic, isn’t it. You’re paying them to compete with you. Yes, I know you’re hapy about that but its a strange situation , ain’t it!

Once this takes off then employment, motor vehicles, boats the full online gambit. Don’t forget that shortly agents will be able to upload directly to Google where the cost of Google Adwords will skyrocket for those who do have a strong organic SEO.

Google Base is really a horizontal play where the best exposure of property would be how it is integrated into other google search services. What I would love to see is a vertical play where Google release a Google Real Estate portal.

They are really the only one who could deliver such a portal and be a major player overnight. Could you imagine the pressure placed on the subscription models of REA and Domain. In fact, if it provided significant enquiry numbers to agents the headline of this article may indeed turn out to be true as agents freed up a significant cost.

Whilst it is unlikely it would not be unheard of. They can be a pretty secretive bunch when they want to be. Look at the Google Phone. Rumours ran amok for years before they released Android and shocked the world. Closer to home, nobody knew that Google Street View would be released covering regional cities and even small towns. The major capital cities were expected but the rest was a bonus nobody guessed at.

Australia is a perfect market for it as well and agents would flock to a Google Real Estate Portal like moths to a flame. We can live in hope… but I would hate to be a shareholder in REA if that came to pass.

One reason that Google would not be looking at a Vertical real estate portal is the huge amount of money that the two main portals. It would need to generate more in revenue than they would lose because you would have to think that REA and Domain would pull their advertsing on the Google Network.

Simon Baker revealed that Google alone represented over 30% of realestate.com.au’s daily traffic. If only 10% of that traffic was generated from google ads, that still represents a huge revenue loss if they pulled it.

http://www.google.com/base/feeds/itemtypes/en_AU

Vendors advertise in print when the market is engaging with purchasers and if the current market is anything to go by I expect vendors in 2009 to go directly to online. We will see (as I mentioned many weeks ago) vendors sharing pages whereas before if we had six pages now I believe that we will see six properties per the one page. Print advertising will be used as the pointer to the more informative online property presentation.

Whilst this may sound great for online it was also place them under the microscope of performance as each lead will come under greater scrutiny. Naturally, agents will also scrutinise their very own online operations to ensure it is running at its peak performance ie SEO.

I also predict that agents will flock back to newsletters as this is the leading method of communication with clients. Also, many will start sending out email alerts either internally of by the major property portals.

I believe we will see two stage property marketing campaigns where respective properties are initially launched online where it will be database marketing combined with property portal marketing. Then depending on the motivation a much smaller spend in print as the campaign may take three months.

2009 will be an entirely different landscape for all concerned.

You can just about pick any industry and in theory it would be better to have only one operator who passed on those economies of scale. Unfortunately that just does not work because of human nature. Only competition stops a monopoly from abusing its power and there is enough real world examples out there of that. It does not even have to be a monopoply… just look at the recent convictions in Australia about companies operating a cartel.

I don’t think you will ever find just one portal in this space. Look at the prices and fees REA charge now as market leader.. imagine if they were the only operator in town. ouch!!!

Ideal yes… A Reality? … No!

At the end of the day, the charges that are inflicted on agents are passed on to property sellers either in the form of vendor paid advertising or the loss of other marketing opportunities.

As per Snoop’s post earlier, many people out there have no real clue what agents are being charged… And who thought the web was free

When you can easily run up $1000 in online marketing costs in Australia against a property without trying real hard the differential between print and online is not as large as many people think. Of course a cynical person would suggest that’s because the online portals are owned primarily by traditional media…

It also seems that many attempt to try and fragment the market with little success. Even points of differentiation have failed to really get traction.

Its a very interesting market….