The House Builders Federation (HBF) is developing www.new-homes.co.uk as a searchable web-based database of new house developments free for members and due to be launched in Feb 2002. <p></p><p>Members are heavily involved in the process: so far a consultant has been engaged to work with small groups to establish the site&amp;’s format, and consultation with the wider membership is underway. An industry working group will be formed to oversee its ongoing development and operation to ensure that the site remains the vision and property of the industry.</p><p>The HBF wants the site to guide and inspire buyers, influence the preference for new houses and convert website visitors to physical site visitors. </p><p>&amp;“An advantage of the site is that it will move the customer as far down the &amp;‘customer journey&amp;’ as possible,&amp;” says the HBF.</p><p> There are also market research advantages to be had for housebuilders, as statistics can be compiled from visitors&amp;’ access and usage behaviour, which may provide telling enquiry/purchase information. </p><p>The HBF says the success of www.new-homes.co.uk will depend on good quality data provision by housebuilders, as out of date information is both misleading and frustrating for users. To tackle this issue it plans to require members to commit …