Rightmove attracts record 1.4 billion site visits in first half during pandemic’s housing boom

Rightmove has seen website traffic soar during the pandemic (Rightmove)

Rightmove achieved record levels of web traffic during the pandemic, registering 1.4 billion site visits in the first half, as customers reassessed housing needs.

Chief executive Peter Brooks-Johnson said: "The first half of 2021 brought further lockdowns, instilling in many a desire or motivation to move home.”

In addition to numerous people seeking more space, a stamp duty holiday launched in 2020 also enticed a number of would-be buyers to look at Rightmove.

Site visits in the six months to June were up from 890 million a year earlier, and from 845 million in the same period in 2019.

The FTSE 100 company posted sales of £149.9 million, up 58% from last year.

Rightmove, which charges estate agents and new home developers a fee to list homes, said pretax profit rose to £114.7 million from £61.6 million.

The board is confident in delivering its expectations for the full year and beyond, the firm said.

Meanwhile, Rightmove said its return to the office will be “phased in and on-going there will be an enhanced flexible working policy”.

Numerous firms are looking at post-pandemic hybrid working.

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