Bespoke Case Study: Local Homes Abroad
 

Local Homes Abroad website

www.localhomesabroad.co.uk

Business Type: Holiday Home Rental

Local Homes Abroad is Leicestershire’s online community for holiday home owners and those looking to rent a property abroad. All members live locally making renting and swapping an enjoyable and secure experience...

The work included Search Engine Friendly Contact Management System, Fully featured Property Database, Document Management System, Email Marketing System to send out & track email and newsletters, Banner Ads Manager.

Features include:

 
Site Owner Administrative Features
 
Secure content management interface to manage all elements of the site including:
  1. Advertisers
  2. Page content
  3. Upload & edit mages
  4. Mailing system to send news updates to interested users
  5. Property listings or ads (add, approve, suspend, edit and delete listings)
  6. Option to add sponsor banner ads to the system
  7. Add new properties/offers to scrolling image banner
 
Property Owners Features
  1. Easy to use Registration Form
  2. Manage profile: property owner can manage and update own profile.
  3. Manage property advert: property owner can define property advert - listing & details
  4. Manage Search Criteria: Property owner can define property fields like country, location, property type, property features, price range, num of beds, facilities i.e. pool/garden etc, rental/swap or both, which will be linked to search criteria.
  5. Ability to upload photos (auto thumbnail generation & photo resizing)
  6. Secure content management area to manage and renew listings
  7. Messaging system to read messages from prospective buyers and contact them
  8. Calendar showing the dates when the property is available
  9. Add link to own website

Site User Features
  1. Register
  2. Set preferences - property criteria
  3. Opt for email alert when property matching criteria in 2 above is added
  4. Different search methods to search for the right house
    1. Search: Users will have the facility to search the property database (see example in app 2)
    2. Advanced Search: Search the property with advanced features criteria like property type, area, price range, number of bedrooms, rent or swap, suitable for families, budget or ref number.
    3. Quick Search: Search the property with limited criteria.
    4. Sort Search: Sort search results by latest properties
  5. Compare Listings: So the user can compare two or three properties on a page.
  6. Print Brochures - printable pages: So users can print property descriptions
  7. View listings & detailed property adver
  8. Save Ad to short list - Click on link to see an example
  9. Compare up to 3 listings within search criteria
  10. Use calendar to check property availability
  11. Save favourite listings for quick future access
  12. Contact owners online using internal messaging system
  13. Forward Ads to Friends