New website features that could help build engagement
Here are some new features we could add to the next Aled Ellis & Co Ltd website to boost engagement further.
Live chat
Live chat offers real-time 24/7 customer support, quick responses and immediate issue resolution. It’s a convenient and familiar way for customers to get help, enhancing the overall user experience and boosting satisfaction. For Aled Ellis & Co Ltd it’s the perfect form of stealth/soft engagement, where an initial, informal enquiry can be converted into something more. There are different ways to set up live chat, inc. plugins, APIs, custom tools etc. However, during business hours, if AI was not being utilised, to ensure that any chat request is answered quickly may require a small change in internal working practices.
Currently 63% of all mobile traffic is video, by 2025 it’s expected to be 76%.
Video has been proven to improve conversion rates, but quality is key. Poor or pixelated videos can frustrate users and may drive them away. Additionally, as video files take up more storage, we’ll need to consider how to host them be it through web hosting or a third-party platform like Vimeo or YouTube.
Bilingual / Multi-language
Making the website available in more languages will help engage customers, especially locally. For a Welsh company like Aled Ellis & Co Ltd, offering a bilingual site makes sense. If Vebre offers language support, the whole website could be multi-lingual, but if not a Welsh-speaking staff member could translate the content, and after that, users could simply switch between English and Welsh by clicking a button. Bilingual would also make the Welsh-focused .wales/.cymru domain names more useful.
Voice enabled search
More and more people are using voice search instead of typing. Google reports that 71% of consumers prefer voice search, and nearly 60% of local searches are done this way. As more people use smartphones and voice-enabled apps, voice search could soon become the main way people interact with websites. Although younger people (18-25) are driving the change, it’s the 25-49 age group that uses it the most. PwC found that consumers see AI voice assistants as the smarter, faster, easier way to perform everyday activities, except for situations involving money (shopping, refunds etc.), then consumers prefer more familiar methods.
Artificial Intelligence (Machine learning) in general
AI will have a bearing on the way companies work in the very near future. For Aled Ellis & Co Ltd, it could be utilised for the more automatable or data related tasks such as contact forms or virtual assistants, but as it’s fast developing it could eventually expand into a range of areas, freeing up staff to concentrate purely on engagement and client relationships.
Natural language processing and natural language understanding (NLP/NLU)
NLP/NLU would make it easier for customers to interact with the website. Instead of filling out complicated forms, they could type something like “3-bedroom house in Llanilar, with a garage” into a text box, and AI would automatically fill in the details, such as the type of property, number of bedrooms, whether there’s a garage, and the location. This helps customers get what they need quickly and easily, improving their experience on your site.
User profiles
Enable users to create profiles where they can save searches, mark favourites, and receive notifications (via push, email, or SMS) when a favourite property sells, its price changes, or when new properties matching their saved criteria are added. This would enhance the current property alerts form with more engaging features. Additionally, profiles could include a feedback survey to gather insights on how to improve engagement and what information or services users need.
This is just an initial idea and may need further consideration to determine its feasibility.
Interactive displays
To build on the visual aspect of the website, interactive display options such as 3D interior visualization e.g. Matterport, UI animation or 360° viewing, can help put potential clients at a location, as well as allow them to navigate an area. Offline, there’s the option to add interactive screens. There is a caveat, these display options would likely require additional investment in hardware and software.
Broadband and mobile coverage
Add upload and download speeds, indoor and outdoor mobile provider coverage so potential clients can see upfront if the listing can meet their needs. Providing mobile and broadband info builds trust with buyers by giving a fuller picture of the property’s suitability for modern living, reducing surprises after purchase. It’s also a simple way to add value to a listing.
Mortgage calculator
Adding a mortgage calculator helps buyers quickly estimate monthly payments, boosts engagement, speeds up decision-making and encourages contact. As with showing broadband and mobile coverage, it’s a simple, practical way to add value to a listing.
It is our understanding that Alto (Vebra) does not offer a calculator, but possibly one can be integrated through their owner Houseful, via the Alto Marketplace. If this is not possible, there are 3rd party options and bespoke ways this feature could be added.