QR Codes and Real Estate.
Lately, QR Codes have been all the rage in conversations online amongst real estate types. Just look here on ActiveRain for blog posts about QR Codes and you'll see what I mean. Then there's the tweets, the posts outside of the ActiveRain, the magazine articles, the conversations, the vendors, the classes and webinars...
(If you're asking, "What in the world is he talking about?," I'd recommend reading this simple explanation of QR Codes from Lani at AgentGenius - published way back in 2008.)
QR Codes are being talked about everywhere I look. So today, while reading an email that mentioned them I threw out the idea on Twitter that I just don't get all the hoopla. Although I think QR Codes are pretty cool stuff (I love new technology), I just couldn't seem to find (in my own head) a real justification for all the talk about them.
The Curious Response.
Within seconds of my tweet, people started to chime in. The results ranged from the I don't get it either variety to the thought that they are still an emerging technology. I even had one person reply that they had a showing on their listing thanks to a QR Code (they didn't go into any detail).
While I can see the case for QR Codes being somewhat new and interesting and I fully agree that as they become more pervasive we as an industry might need to revamp our entire way of doing things, I still struggle with what makes them any different than a trusted search engine. Perhaps we should first consider how we're using them before I make any judgments. As with any new technology, the possibilities are endless, but let's stick with the basics for now - adding QR Codes to real estate marketing materials.
Want more info? There's a QR Code waiting just for you.
So let's pretend I put a QR Code on my marketing materials for a new listing. The idea is to give people more information by using the QR Code. You put it on your flyers, your signs, and all promo materials. The QR Code is simply an encoded message to the QR Code Reader telling it to perform some action - in this case, to visit a website (let's say a single property website for my latest listing). A potential buyer pulls up out front of the listing, but the flyer box is empty...there's no info about the property without them calling me up and asking (and no one likes the phone these days...how 1980s of you!). Being savvy tech-types though, they notice the QR Code on my sign, whip out their latest Andro-App-Berry, and quickly take a snapshot of the QR Code. Whiz-bang, they are teleported to the website of my choosing to learn all about this fantastic property.
To me (and this is part of why I don't "get it"), it would make just as much sense to google the address or the agent's name and get the same info. Yes, perhaps a QR Code will get you to the information you're looking for quicker, but does the speed outweigh the quest for more information?
QR Codes go mainstream.
The most frequent response to my tweet was along the lines of they'll be useful when they're more mainstream. Of course, I have to agree with this - any technology is more useful as it approaches its peak of adopt-ability (laser discs weren't very useful until more people had...oh wait...just kidding). I'll definitely be curious to see how the mainstream adopts and makes use of the QR Code, but even then I have to admit I'm not that impressed (I'm interested and excited, just not impressed). I think I just need something more concrete than what I've seen so far.
Are you using QR Codes? Have you had an success with them? Any interesting stories? Give me a reason to love the QR Code...please.
photo courtesy of PSPorter
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Matt Stigliano, Realtor® Becker Properties | (210) 646-HOME | www.RErockstar.com
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You said what I've been thinking all along with the whole "QR" thing. I see no real increase in speed by using it vs. Googling the address or agent. I'm assuming that if the agent is tech-savvy enough to know about QR codes, then they are on the Internet as well. Thanks for the post.
What would have happened if, say, you were the first owner of a fax machine? A definite tribute to the salesman, but there you sit with new technology waiting for others (especialy in your own circle) to adopt. It seems the same with waiting for QR to trend to useability.
Bear in mind, I still use cell phones only to make and receive phone calls. Other apps are a distraction, confusing and make my head hurt. I guess I need convincing that all new technology is for me. ;-)
I think I'll take the 'wait and see' approach for the moment.
I've been thinking along the same lines as you. I am moving to a new town in a few months and will have to order new signs.
If I do go with a QR I think it will be on a rider and not the sign itself. The town I'm moving to is only 30,000 but some high tech companies are relocating there and also a new university is coming to town.
So I'm thinking......maybe I will try it. Right now though a person has to add the QR reader apps to their phones right? Maybe phones have to have this app built in before it becomes mainstream?
You can't guarantee that a listing will pop up if you just Google it. It depends where it has been syndicated. I think this is an avenue for the buyer or potential client to get the info fast and you know how they hate talking to agents lol.
I think it is just another tool - kind of like a short url for our website
I am still curious to see if they will take off or not. Only time will tell.
WAY faster and easier to have someone scan a code and go to the definitely correct website, rather than possibly typing in the wrong address or not wanting to type a bunch of stuff on a cell phone.
Matt, I was at dinner with some agents here for the Leaders in "Luxury Conference" and several mentioned that they used this on brochure boxes so that a smart phone with a reader could scan it and be directld to a property web site! Pretty cool idea!
Okay, Lane. I'm still not buying the "way faster" route (of course, I haven't tried it yet, either) but I do get the "human error" factor of somebody possibly typing a website in wrong. Question is then, does the QR code ever make a mistake?
Matt:
I like QR codes for adding contacts to my phone too. I have been trying to decide if using them on listings (just send them to our website or each listing have their own) so I have not implemented it yet. Are you using them?
@allstarmom3
QR codes should be used for a variety of purposes, not all pointing to the website. After reading this and seeing some of the comments here and elsewhere on AR, I think I'll write an article explaining why they are so powerful and how they should be properly used. Thanks for posting - it got me thinking.
Roger - That was a big part of my thinking. If I'm savvy enough to use QR Codes, I'm probably going to make sure that listing is plastered all over page one of Google. A friend made a good point though, something I hadn't considered...if you google 123 Main Street, you're going to get a lot of homes that don't apply.
Larry - I love technology and all the fun that goes with it, but that's my problem with this, I'm not seeing anything outside of the "cool" factor for it so far. Perhaps I'll change my mind, but for now, I just don't get it.
Trish - I'll continue to think about them and if I see a good opportunity for me and my clients, I'm there.
Jenny - I would stick with the QR Code on riders as well, but only so I could have different codes for different purposes. Having the same one that just leads back to the same place doesn't seem as useful to me. As for listings appearing on Google - I do make sure they appear, that's a key part of marketing, so that's why I see Google as just as easy.
Damon - I definitely can't wait to see where they wind up. I love to see where a technology will take us.
Lane - I can see where this would be easier, although in my case I'm used to typing, so it wouldn't be any faster than opening the app, taking the photo, and waiting for the app to take me to a site.
Russell - Did anyone mention how their returns were from the scanning? I think I would have to feed the QR Code to a trackable URL (such as budURL) in order to see if anyone was actually using it.
Roger - I think I'm faster typing than messing with the app, but that's me personally. Good question about the code making the mistake - I would assume it's possible that the code could be misread?
Lisa - I haven't really used them. I've toyed with them out of interest, but nothing actually in terms of utilizing them.
Drick - I think the "pointing to a website" idea is just the easiest way of giving an example to talk about.
Matt, you can use Goo.gl, which not only tracks it, but also gives you the unique QR code.
Roger, I have my scanner on the home page of my phone. Even though it uses the camera, it comes up faster than the camera... I don't know why. I just pulled up a page on my computer, and from the time I picked up my phone until I was on my way to the site in my browser was about 10 seconds. 3 of them were unlocking the phone and getting to the home page (I had AR on the browser).
For a site that has a quick and/or easy name, that is fine, you might beat me... but if I want to send someone to a specific post... Which is faster?
http://activerain.com/blogsview/1924885/puddin-and-the-foreclosure-crisis-
or
Of course, using the URL shortener works, too... as long as the target isn't too lazy to type it in. Personally, I'll provide both. I don't care HOW they get there. I just want them there.
;^ )
Lane - I forgot that Goo.gl also tracks, I remember reading that they were doing the QR Code. Personally, I'm a buURL fan, but mainly because I've been using it for so long.
Excellent point about the name - even with a URL shortener, you wind up with more complicated URLs than you might want (or that someone might be willing to remember and type in). So I see the use there.
I think my curiosity lies with home many people are actually saying, "oh look, a QR Code, let me use that." I had one person on Twitter tell me they had a showing thanks to a QR Code, but I'm still curious to see how it's working for people - are you seeing any significant "click-through" rate on those Goo.gl addresses? Do you think they are consumers or curious agents who read your blogs and want to see QR Codes in action? Have you spoken to a consumer who mentioned them specifically to you?
I'm not against them, just haven't found myself convinced yet.
I was musing on this as I was typing and one thing I did think might be useful (especially to the geek-set who is more likely to be using them) would be a Wordpress plugin that generated a code for each post. While reading, if you realized you had to rush off, you could quick grab the QR Code and away you go on your mobile device. Could be an interesting case to see if it helped retain or develop any new readership.
All of this prompted me to write "Real Estate Technology: Are You Using It?"
I actually saw these codes on some of the political signs around town and I was thinking...yep, I'm behind the times on yet another piece of technology....I guess I'll jump on if there's proof of the idea going more mainstream. I enjoyed your explanation
Move over Trish... I am going to sit on that bench with you and just wait and see.... I am already on Tech Overload!
I would think that having the code on a blog post wouldn't be as effective as having it on a sign or a flyer... Things that are in the field, rather than online might give the best bang. But I don't know.