A Comprehensive Digital Overhaul for Bell Ingram
Bell Ingram is one of the UK's leading land and property experts, offering services that span estate agency, land management, forestry, planning, and surveying. With a proud history and a substantial presence across rural Scotland and northern England, Bell Ingram required a digital presence that reflected the scale and professionalism of their business.
Back in 2019, Bell Ingram approached Zen to completely rebuild their website and digital infrastructure. Their existing platform had become outdated and difficult to manage. It lacked the flexibility and modern integrations needed to support their business growth, particularly in the estate agency space. They were looking for a partner who could handle the full scope of the job - from UX workshops to technical integrations - and deliver a polished, high-performing site that could evolve with their needs.
Digital Marketing Umbraco Web & App Development Reapit Property feed Integration Branding & Design Content CreationSupport
The project began with a series of in-depth client workshops, bringing together stakeholders from across Bell Ingram to clarify business goals, user journeys, and technical requirements. We used this phase to map out the future of their digital estate, combining strategic insights with feedback from their internal teams.
A critical part of the planning stage was improving the user experience of the property section. This area of the website was a major traffic driver and revenue generator, but it had become difficult to navigate and maintain. We conducted user flow testing and wireframed a more streamlined property search and listing process that would allow users to find and engage with property listings more easily.
The final solution was a fully bespoke site built on the Umbraco content management system, giving Bell Ingram’s internal team far more control and flexibility. The design reflected their refreshed brand identity, with clean layouts and improved navigation that allowed users to explore services, properties, and expertise without friction.
We integrated the new site with Reapit, a powerful property management system that automatically pulls in property data every 30 minutes. This meant listings were always up to date, with no need for manual uploads. Users could now view high-resolution images, filter properties by type, location, and budget, and even access video walkthroughs, all directly on the site.
In addition to Reapit, the platform was connected with Bell Ingram’s CRM system and HR software, creating a seamless experience for job applications, customer contact, and internal team management. Social media feeds were also embedded to keep the site dynamic and current.
We also handled a round of SEO enhancements during development, ensuring that the rebuild supported the site's ability to rank effectively for core property-related and service-related search terms.
The transformation delivered tangible results quickly. Web sessions increased by over 54%, and the bounce rate dropped significantly, indicating a stronger, more engaging user experience. The property search tool saw a marked increase in usage, with users engaging with listings more frequently and spending more time browsing available properties.
Operationally, the new site allowed Bell Ingram’s team to publish new content, manage listings, and update service information independently, reducing the need for external support and shortening content lead times.Internally, the integration with Reapit and the CRM created a single flow of information between front-end listings and back-office operations, cutting down on duplication and human error. HR functionality was also improved, with job listings feeding directly into internal workflows.
Most importantly, the site now reflects the quality and scope of Bell Ingram’s services. The user journey is more intuitive, the brand presence is stronger, and the platform is better equipped to grow alongside the business.
This project remains one of the most comprehensive digital transformations Zen has delivered in the property sector. It brought together design, development, UX, technical integrations, and strategic consultation into a single platform that now plays a central role in Bell Ingram’s digital operations.
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"Can't recommend Alan and his team at The Zen Agency highly enough. Extremely happy with both the look and functionality of our new website, and the associated digital marketing campaign. They have supported me through every step of the process with clear advice and a ‘can-do’ attitude."
Alison Lawson, Marketing Manager - Bell Ingram
