If you’re an estate agent looking to expand your reach and connect with more potential buyers and renters you need to make sure your listings are on the best online real estate directories in the UK! However, with a plethora of options available, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the top online directories that offer a wealth of benefits to estate agents.

By listing your properties on these directories, you’ll be able to tap into a vast network of property seekers who are actively searching for their next home. From well-known portals like Zoopla and Rightmove to up-and-coming players like OnTheMarket and TheHouseShop, each directory offers its unique strengths and advantages.

Not only do these directories help you expand your reach and attract more potential buyers and renters, but they also provide valuable market insights and data that can inform your business decisions. By keeping up-to-date on market trends and fluctuations, you can position yourself as a trusted expert in your field and offer unparalleled service to your clients.

So, whether you specialise in high-end luxury properties or cater to a broad range of clients, there’s a directory out there that can help you reach your goals. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the best UK online real estate directories for estate agents and explore the benefits and advantages of each platform.

Best online property listing directories for estate agencies

Rightmove

Rightmove is the number one property portal in the UK, with 42% of the population visiting the site every year, and offers a broad range of properties for sale or rent across the UK. It has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to search for properties, and it also offers a range of useful tools, such as a property valuation calculator and a property search filter.

Pros:

• It offers a comprehensive range of properties, including new builds, flats and houses, commercial and overseas properties
• Range of advertising options, allowing estate agents to target their desired audience more effectively.
• Dedicated membership and specialist teams to support you
• Range of detailed data solutions gathered from over 124 million transactional data points

Cons:

• Rightmove can be more expensive than other online directories, particularly for smaller estate agents

Zoopla

Zoopla is another popular online real estate directory and offers a comprehensive range of properties for sale or rent. It has a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate and provides a range of useful tools for users including the option to book an in-person valuation with local estate agents. Zoopla also owns ‘PrimeLocation’.

Pros:

• Flexible pricing options to suits individual business needs and size
• Valuable data insights on your business’s performance
• Easy-to-set-up, cloud-based property management software

Cons:

• As a popular directory, it may be challenging to stand out from the crowd

OnTheMarket

OnTheMarket is a UK-based online property listing platform that offers a range of properties for sale or rent. They have an advantage with their ‘Only With Us’ option, which offers estate agents to list properties exclusively on the website for 24 hours, or more, before they are shared with Rightmove or Zoopla. The website has a simple interface that is easy to navigate, and users can register their interest on homes that are being valued but not yet listed and join a priority list to be notified if under offer properties become available.

Pros:

• OnTheMarket has a strict policy of only allowing estate agents to advertise on one other major property portal, which means it can be an exclusive platform to showcase properties
• They hold regular Town Halls and Developer Forums to discuss the industry and the platform
• Marketing and additional products available

Cons:

• Not as widely used as other online directories, which may limit the number of potential buyers or tenants

TheHouseShop

Launched in 2015, The House Shop has an excellent reputation and has developed a successful niche market for accessible and adaptable properties. 

Pros:

• Advertise properties for free
• Real-time CRM integration
• Vendor Leads
• Void Management Service, where you can earn commissions by switching energy suppliers during any void periods on properties you manage

Cons:

• Very niche
• Not as well-known as other directories

NetHousePrices

NetHousePrices is a UK-based online real estate directory that lets agents list their properties for free. Set up in 2004, it was one of the first websites that specialised in providing sold property prices, and in 2019, it was acquired by OneDome, whose goal is to revolutionise home buying and selling experience for consumers and professionals.

Pros:

• List properties for free
• Banner advertising available from £25/month/postcode

Cons:

• NetHousePrices doesn’t have the same level of reach as other online directories, limiting the number of potential customers

Home.co.uk

Home.co.uk is a free online directory for estate agents in the UK. It’s a property search platform and an estate agent directory that acts like a search engine!

Pros:

• Zero cost to sign up
• Simple and easy to set up and configure
• Option to upgrade to their ‘Premium Agent Service’ which costs £299+VAT per year

Cons:

• Limited reach as not as well known as Rightmove and Zoopla
• Very basic, clunky website
• No customisation for listings

Best other online directories for estate agents

• Get Agent: Get Agent is the comparison site for estate agents. They use live data to show users their top 6 local estate agents based on the number of listings within a certain radius, the average sale time and the percentage of asking price they achieve. It’s free to sign up, but you pay a 0.25%+VAT fee for every property you sell that they have referred to you.
• Yell: Yell is a popular UK online directory that lists businesses across various categories, including real estate. You can create a free listing on Yell and include your contact details, opening hours, and a brief description of your services.
• Scoot: Scoot is another online directory that lists UK businesses across various categories, including real estate. And, like Yell, you can create a free listing on Scoot and add your contact information, website URL, and a description of your services.
• UK Small Business Directory: You can create a free listing on the UK Small Business Directory that comprises your address, telephone number and business description. They have 3 upgrade options; Bronze, Silver, and Gold which cost £30, £50 and £75 respectively, per year! The upgrade benefits include quicker approval, prominence above basic listings, and web and social media links, and there’s a customisation option with Gold.

While Yelp and Trustpilot are also popular online directories in the UK, they focus more on user reviews and ratings rather than just listing businesses. You can create a free profile on both platforms, but your listing would be based on the reviews and ratings left by your clients.

That said, having a presence on Yelp and Trustpilot can still be beneficial for your online reputation management. By monitoring and responding to client reviews, you can show your commitment to customer service and build trust with potential clients who may be researching estate agents on these platforms. 

You can also connect Yelp and Trustpilot to Magic Reviews, where you can send out automatic review requests, manage all your reviews from one dashboard, and respond using prebuilt templates.

Frequently Asked Questions about real estate directories

Do all estate agents use Rightmove and Zoopla?

While they are very popular websites, not all estate agents use them. Others prefer to use other platforms based on their target audience and marketing strategy.

Who are the biggest estate agents in the UK?

The UK  property market is a competitive landscape with many successful and prominent estate agencies. However, the top 3, in terms of available properties, are generally considered to be Connells, Countrywide and Purplebricks.

Does it matter what estate agent you use?

Absolutely, yes! Selecting the right estate agent is an investment, so the choice you make can have a significant impact on your house buying (or selling) journey. The right agent will have in-depth local market knowledge, expertise to accurately price your property, strategically market it, and navigate complex legal and administrative processes, and, more importantly, a network of potential buyers or sellers. 

What is the most popular real estate website in the UK?

With extensive listings and a user-friendly interface, Rightmove continues to be the go-to platform for property searches among prospective buyers and renters in the UK.

Key takeaway

Listing your estate agency on any of these online directories can bring numerous benefits to your business, including increased online visibility, improved search engine rankings, and the potential to attract new clients. 

Whether you create a free listing or upgrade to a premium package, you can showcase your business to a wider audience and establish your presence in the local market. 

And with so many options to choose from, you can tailor your directory listings to your specific business needs and reach out to potential clients through various online channels.

About Magic

Magic helps local businesses grow. Thousands of local businesses use Magic to get more online reviews, win new customers, easily manage customer conversations and grow sales. Magic offers these features:

• Reviews: Get more reviews with automatic review requests for popular review sites like Google, Facebook, Yelp, TrustPilot, and more. Rank high on local search and enhance your visibility on Google. 
• Inbox: Keep track of customer conversations across channels in one inbox, including SMS, Facebook, Instagram, and Gmail. Manage conversations better as a team and do more with industry specific templates. 
• Text Marketing: Drive more sales with instant text campaigns and reach your customers at the right moment with automation. Use prebuilt templates to send out text campaigns in minutes. 
• Webchat: Turn website visitors into customers with SMS powered Webchat. Chat to website visitors directly through SMS so you won’t miss a lead, even when they leave your website. 

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