During that six-month period the website, which was relaunched late last year with significant design and functionality enhancements, had the second highest average market share of visits to websites in that category from New Zealand-based users, with only the industry-owned portal www.realestate.co.nz receiving more traffic.

Harcourts New Zealand CEO Hayden Duncan says the award reflects Harcourts’ strength in the New Zealand property market and the calibre and popularity of the group’s website.

“The fact that our website repeatedly ranks highly in both the Experian Hitwise awards and the monthly statistics released by Nielsen/Netratings, which show ours is the most visited real estate brand’s website in the country with an average of around 210,000 unique visitors each month, is irrefutable evidence of the success of our site,” he says.

“These consistent results prove www.harcourts.co.nz clearly has considerable value to people interested in buying, selling or renting New Zealand property.”

Harcourts International Chief Information Officer Jason Wills says the award also reflects the efforts of Harcourts’ partners in last year’s website revamp, NetConcepts, and the work of Harcourts own web designers and developers.

“Everyone’s efforts last year and the ongoing work we’re doing internally have helped lift the traffic received by the Harcourts’ New Zealand website and to improve the customer experience too.”

The Hitwise Top 10 Awards recognise websites from over 140 industries that are leaders in their industry and brings with it the benefit of using the Hitwise Top 10 Award shield.

According to the latest statistics from Nielsen Online Market Intelligence, in February the recently revamped Harcourts New Zealand website, www.harcourts.co.nz, received a record 201,384 unique visitors, despite February being the shortest month of the year.

Mr Thomson says the February 2010 figure, which was more than 20% up on the 165,919 unique visitors the Harcourts New Zealand website received in the same month last year, reflects Harcourts strong presence and performance in the New Zealand market and follow the introduction of significant design and functionality enhancements to the Harcourts New Zealand website late last year.

The latest statistics also again confirm the Harcourts New Zealand website is the most visited real estate brand’s website in the country – receiving over 40% more unique visitors than the next most visited real estate group’s website in February.

“We recognise February is typically an active month in the New Zealand real estate market so good website traffic is expected in that month, however to see such large growth over February 2009 is very satisfying,” Mr Thomson says.

“It also backs up the anecdotal feedback from members of the Harcourts team around the country who are reporting a lot of buyer enquiry, with a large volume of properties having come onto the market in recent weeks.”

 Mr Thomson says while sales numbers in January and February have been below expectations online activity is believed to be a good indicator of future sales, so March sales statistics will be an good test of the validity of this view.

Managing Director for Harcourts Mike Green said the company’s motto for 2010 is ‘one team – in touch’, which will be woven throughout all actions by all Harcourts employees.

“Technology is now making it easier and easier for us to communicate with our audience.

“Our team is constantly utilising this technology to ensure we are operating in all channels of communication,” Mr Green said.

“While last year we focused heavily on upgrading our websites and internal communication tools, this year we are focusing intensely on new media and social media,” he said.

The iPhone application is the latest communications technology to be developed as part of the yearlong campaign to keep both the Harcourts team and wider community updated with all exciting news and information.

The application was designed using the iSite platform by Harcourts’ Head of Marketing and Communications, David Martin and is now available to download.

“Anyone can download this free application that has an Apple iPhone or android handset,” Mr Martin said.

“All the latest media articles, newsletters, and video updates will be delivered direct to your device. Simply visit Apple iTunes or android marketplace to download this free application,” he said.