Following the successful delivery of the Propertymark Learner Portal, Propertymark approached QuidVista with an ambitious new project: Connect, an innovative referral platform that would transform how estate agents across the UK share leads and generate revenue from out-of-area referrals. The challenge? Deliver a production-ready platform in a tight timeline that could scale to serve thousands of agents nationwide.
The Vision: A National Referral Network
Propertymark Connect was conceived as a smart, tailored platform to help estate agents win more direct instructions, attract qualified leads, and grow their business. The core concept was simple but powerful: enable agents to refer sellers and landlords beyond their geographic area while earning commission, all within the trusted Propertymark network.
The platform needed to solve a critical pain point in the industry: when clients move outside an agent's coverage area, that business is typically lost. Connect would change that, allowing agents to maintain relationships and generate revenue from referrals while ensuring clients receive the same high standards of service from Propertymark-accredited agents.
The Challenge: Speed Without Compromise
Propertymark needed Connect delivered quickly to capitalize on market opportunities, but the platform had to be built to scale. With over 18,000 Propertymark members across the UK, the system needed to handle:
- Real-time lead matching and distribution
- Geographic coverage mapping (achieving 98% UK coverage)
- Commission tracking and management
- Integration with existing Propertymark systems
- Secure handling of sensitive client data
- Mobile-responsive design for agents on the go
This wasn't a project where we could cut corners. The platform would be handling critical business transactions and needed to inspire trust from day one.
Our Approach: Disciplined Agility in Action
At QuidVista, we applied our proven approach of combining rapid development with strict engineering practices. This project was a perfect example of how “disciplined agility” delivers results:
Rapid Prototyping and Iterative Development
We started with a functional prototype that demonstrated core workflows, allowing Propertymark stakeholders to see the platform come to life quickly. This early validation helped refine requirements and ensure we were building exactly what was needed.
Microservices Architecture
We designed Connect as a modular system with clear separation of concerns:
- Lead management and matching engine
- Geographic coverage and routing logic
- Commission tracking and reporting
- User management and authentication
- Integration layer for external systems
This architecture allowed us to develop components in parallel, accelerating delivery while ensuring each component could scale independently.
Cloud-Native Infrastructure
Built on AWS, Connect leverages managed services for databases, message queues, and compute resources. This approach reduced infrastructure setup time while ensuring the platform could scale automatically as usage grew.
Security and Compliance from Day One
Given the sensitive nature of property and client data, security wasn't negotiable. We implemented:
- Robust authentication and authorization
- Data encryption at rest and in transit
- Audit logging for all transactions
- Compliance with data protection regulations
API-First Design
We designed comprehensive APIs that allow Connect to integrate seamlessly with Propertymark's existing systems and future third-party integrations, including the Move iQ platform powered by Phil Spencer.
Delivering on Time and at Scale
Despite the ambitious timeline, we delivered Connect ahead of schedule. The platform launched with full functionality, including:
- Lead Distribution: Automated matching of leads to agents based on location and expertise
- Referral Management: Simple workflows for agents to refer out-of-area clients and track commissions
- Geographic Coverage: Comprehensive mapping ensuring 98% UK coverage
- Commission Tracking: Transparent reporting and payment processing
- Mobile Optimization: Fully responsive design allowing agents to manage leads from anywhere
The Results: From Launch to Daily Use
Since launch, Propertymark Connect has exceeded expectations:
- Over 1,000 agents registered within the first year
- Daily usage by estate agents across the UK
- 98% UK coverage achieved through the Propertymark network
- Seamless integration with Move iQ and other Propertymark services
The platform has become an essential tool for Propertymark members, with agents praising its ease of use and the support provided by the Propertymark team. As one agent noted: “The Propertymark Connect platform is a great way to grow opportunities. The service feels supportive, practical, and genuinely focused on helping a new business get it right from the beginning.”
Why This Approach Works
Propertymark Connect demonstrates why our disciplined agility approach is so effective:
- Speed: We delivered a production-ready platform in a fraction of the time a traditional waterfall approach would require
- Quality: Despite the rapid timeline, the platform is built on solid foundations with proper architecture, security, and scalability
- Scalability: The system handles growth seamlessly, from initial launch to thousands of daily users
- Maintainability: Well-structured code and comprehensive documentation make ongoing enhancements straightforward
The Partnership Continues
The success of Connect has strengthened our relationship with Propertymark, leading to additional projects and ongoing enhancements. This is a pattern we see repeatedly: when we deliver value quickly while maintaining engineering excellence, clients return for more.
Lessons for Small Businesses
Propertymark Connect illustrates an important lesson for small businesses: you don't have to choose between speed and quality. By applying disciplined engineering practices from the start, we can deliver products quickly that are built to last and scale.
Whether you're building a referral platform, a SaaS product, or any digital solution, the key is finding the right balance between moving fast and building right. At QuidVista, we've proven this approach works time and again.
If you have an ambitious project with a tight timeline, get in touch. We'd love to discuss how we can help you deliver your vision quickly, without compromising on quality, scalability, or security.