Well, Just Listed have launched a new website and first impressions are that it looks quite good. However, look under the bonnet and is is really just another Domain.com.au, and there are errors absolutely everywhere.
I was actually looking at a page and then all of the sudden it just started doing all of these weird things, even as I write this it is going off loading and stopping and scrolling down the page.
The Home page search box is a little confusing as it seems to list councils or areas – I am still not quite sure what it does! The listings are all from Domain.com.au and the layout of the search results is quite fine – actually good. You will notice that as soon as you want more information you are transported to Domain.com.au and there you will see the value for Domain.com.au. I think this takes away from its usefulness and unless users find this easier to use than Domain, I cannot see it lasting very long.
Server application errors are rife throughout the site and the mapping is not working, nor are a number of other links.
The right hand side gives you a number of options to refine and this is well done and is quite a good innovation.
They have also added a blog which has no content yet, but I am sure they will add articles in the coming weeks.
Again, this is just another example of something being rushed out. Maybe they just launched it as I was looking at the site and if so they will be up all night fixing the problems. I can give excuses for small companies making mistakes like this, but not larger ones.
All in all this does show potential, but again , if they only carry domain.com.au’s listings then why visit the site, why not just go to Domain.com.au? One reason may well be that once all the errors are corrected it will be quicker to find listings than on Domain.com.au
On the notice they do mention they are looking to add more functions shortly so we should be patient. I think the proof of its success will be the lift it gives Domains visitor numbers and we should see that occur by the end of next month.
Links:
Domain.com.au
Justlisted.com.au
4 Comments
Alan
Not sure where you are seeing beauty in this site – its inflexible, ugly, unimaginative and chockoblock full of errors. As you say – what is the point? JustLeftit and using Domain!
Joe Fenton
We have found that realtors in Australia and New Zealand have begun buying our product and have sent us very complimentary comments. Since we are not promoting there, all sales are happening because realtors have found us on the web http://www.realestateshows.com.
Perhaps you might take a look at our service and our value proposition?
We value your thoughts.
Thank you and best wishes,
Joe
Glenn
I dont mind some of the stuff they are trying to incorporate..
GOOD – I like the tags like method of filtering. It seems easier to work but there is one problem.
BAD – The tag with the highest number of properties is increased in font size based upon the results but if there are none in the list (ie. 6 bedrooms) then it should remove them from the available tags and have the others have 3 or 4 different font sizes based upon their results not just the two levels. . Leaving them insinuates that there are three bedroom. This means as you burrow down and filter them less and less tags appear , but all of them will further filter the list. Any of the tags that have been applied can be greyed out.. click on these would remove the filter.
GOOD – I do like how they have concentrated on providing the basics before they attach the bells and whistles… something myhome should have followed.
BAD – Also, using the word “search” again to refine the filters my be a bit confusing. A better use would be either “Refine” or “Apply Filters” or something like that.
BAD – They keep on trying to be slick with these interfaces but they miss some important stuff. About 15 to 20% of our visitors have higher screen resolutions. If you going to fully rewrite your site why not allow for small resizing of the property window so that the photos stack horizontally instead of vertically. This would mean visitors could view 4 properties at a time on the screen instead of two with less scrolling required. This whole area appears very bloated.
GOOD – They have a blog
BAD – Their blog has nothing about their site.
BAD – Recent Property Lists that show at time of day 10:32am that properties were listed 9 hours ago. I doubt all of those properties were listed at 1:30am by the agents. I suggest that was the time they imported them from domain.
GOOD – RSS Feeds by Suburb
BAD – RSS Feeds that you cannot apply the filters to the feed would have been even better. Only agents what to see every property for sale in the suburb.
In effect all they are is a front end for Domain and I really cant understand why Domain did the deal. They could have created something far better than this without the ongoing charges. I guess it just shows you how desperate they really are to catch REA.
Glen Aihug
An interesting site – however after seeing 3 different .NET errors in the space of 2 minutes I wont be returning any time soon. Their BETA could be BETTER!