March 30, 2021

Building Trust to Drive Your Business Revenue

Property developers who communicate transparently, provide continuous information access, and maintain post-purchase availability achieve higher customer satisfaction and repeat business rates.

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Building trust with clients drives revenue growth through three core actions: communicating transparently throughout the project journey, providing continuous access to information, and maintaining availability for questions even after purchase completion. Property developers who implement these trust-building strategies see dramatically higher customer satisfaction and repeat business rates compared to those who leave clients uninformed.

Why Trust Matters More Than Ever in Property Development

Consumers today don't just look at the price tag or the quality anymore. The company behind the product or service they want to buy has become equally important.

Trust is the key here. You get that trust from customers by communicating with them: guiding them through the purchasing process, advising them when they have to make a decision, and letting them know you're available for questions and answers even after the purchase.

However, this kind of good and transparent communication is often missing in the property development sector.

The Cost of Poor Communication: Real Data from the Industry

A 2017 large-scale survey by Ziggu showed that 80% of property developers didn't have an online environment where buyers could keep track of their building's progress.

As a result, 33% of their customers weren't satisfied with the way they were kept informed, and another 18% were downright unhappy with this lack of information.

On the other hand, homebuyers who did get access to an online environment to keep track of the building process and decisions to be made, were a lot more content: 45% were pretty happy with the amount of information they received and another 40% was completely satisfied.

impact of online access to information in real estate showing customer satisfaction levels comparison between developers with and without client portals
Graph: the impact of online access to information, however basic, on homebuyer satisfaction levels.

We shouldn't be surprised by these numbers. For most people, buying a house is the biggest purchase of their life.

It's an emotional one, too. We're talking about their home, after all — the place where they'll build a life, maybe raise a couple of kids, and grow old.

Of course, they want to be kept in the loop. Of course, they want to know what's what. Of course, they'll have questions that need answers.

How Lack of Trust Damages Your Business Revenue

Don't get us wrong, the price and location of a property are still the two most important factors in a homebuyer's purchase decision.

But if you're not available as a property developer after the purchase, these homebuyers won't trust you anymore whenever you give them a proposal for, say, an addition to the home or an extra service.

Nor will they trust you to solve issues adequately. Due to this lack of trust, the chances of them choosing you for a second time or recommending you to other people will be low.

To say it with a number: according to Ziggu's research, only 8% of interviewees would work with their developer again or recommend them to family or friends.

Imagine the impact of these numbers in a time where potential customers search for reviews and stories from other homebuyers first.

"New criteria, such as sustainability, new services and experiences, have become as important as location"

Gabriel Uzgen CEO BESIX RED

Building Trust Through Continuous Client Communication

You get it — a lack of trust from homebuyers is bad for business. So what do you need to build that trust and, in the end, boost your revenue?

A continuous homebuyer journey. Don't leave them hanging the minute they sign the contract.

Give them access to information at all times. Offer status updates, documents, financial insights during every phase of the building process, and maybe even after.

Answer their questions quickly and — better yet, before they even think of them.

Essential Information Clients Need Access To:

  • Project documents: Plans, permits, technical specifications, and contract details
  • Financial insights: Payment schedules, budget updates, and cost breakdowns
  • Progress updates: Construction milestones, timeline adjustments, and completion estimates
  • Decision points: Material selections, design choices, and approval requests
  • Contact information: Direct access to project managers, architects, and support teams

Streamlining Client Communication for Better Business Results

But how can you juggle all of this at all times? By setting up a centralized platform, you can simplify this whole communication process.

That's not only beneficial for your customer, but also efficient for you. By keeping every form of interaction with clients in one spot and even automating certain tasks, you create more time to advise your homebuyer.

Win-win, right?

The Business Case for Digital Client Portals

Property developers using client portals report higher satisfaction scores and stronger business relationships. When clients can track progress, access documents, and communicate directly through a dedicated platform, trust builds naturally.

This trust translates into tangible business benefits: fewer support calls, faster decision-making, and most — clients who become advocates for your business.

Implementing Trust-Building Strategies That Drive Revenue

Building client trust isn't just about good customer service — it's a revenue strategy. Satisfied clients become repeat customers and refer others to your business.

Start with these proven approaches:

  • Proactive communication: Update clients before they ask for updates
  • Transparent processes: Show exactly what's happening and when
  • Easy access: Make information available 24/7 through digital platforms
  • Quick responses: Address questions and concerns promptly
  • Post-purchase support: Continue the relationship after project completion

The property development industry has an opportunity to differentiate through exceptional client communication. Those who embrace this approach will build stronger businesses, generate more referrals, and create lasting competitive advantages in an increasingly crowded market.

Boost your customer happiness and efficiency with Ziggu. Connect with our sales team today.

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