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The Next War in Real Estate: QR Codes vs Snap Tags

By Chuck Ward Local Video Marketing

Services for Real Estate Pros with Florida Mobile Fusion Mobile, Marketing, Local SEO

November 13, 2010 10:12 PM

So once again, I find myself up early (415 AM Eastern). My own time to review, plan for the upcoming week (or day) without having to turn every two minutes to answer a question from my OCD four year.

This morning I was browsing a few AR featured posts and found a few in particular that interested me.

My favorite, other than trying to get back into someone's pants (an article written by Sarah Bennett), was an article written by Tanya Nouwens of Canada about the QR Code being here to stay. As I read the comments I was surprised that so many people do NOT use this kinda of technology

In this corner - QR Codes

Most QR code technology was developed in Japan around 1994 to solve problems of tracking inventory.
You can make a QR code do a variety of things

Call a phone number
Push to a web site (suggestion, make it a landing page)
Download Free Text
SMS Text Message (I am interested in that one, but I could not get it to work the way that I wanted it to)
Attach a VCard or VCalendar and download onto a phone (great for anyone - Could this be the next electronic business card?)
Google Maps Location (Long and Lat only right now, but you are smart, you can find that easily)
Social Media (Status Updates, Likes, Profiles - If you are on social media so much that you need a QR Code - I am sure that there is an SMA - Social Media Anonymous - near you)
Can be custom colorized
DISLIKES: Does not give a location of where to download
DISLIKES: Free, except for the advanced features, such as social media updating

In the other corner -- MS Snap Tag

Call a phone number
Push to a website URL
Download Free Text
Download a VCard
Online Video/Photos
Symbol can be customized
Can be made into 8, 4 or two color tags
LIKES: Analytics can be embedded (a need be for real estate industry professional)
LIKES: Microsoft Developed
DISLIKES: Lack of applications at this time - I would love to see the ability for my phone to send an SMS/Text message to a number of choice - That would be HUGE for me)

The most popular QR Code function I personally remember was internet postage (Stamps.com. Just recently I took a flight completely paperless as I had the QR Code sent to my phone in an email. Takes the place of the paper boarding pass. (Ok I admit, I had a paper pass as a backup!)

There are several types of QR Code Technology - One (called the Aztec Code) is being tested in the Polish car insurance industry

My favorite was the ShotCode. But after reading about it, I don't see it lasting

Then there is PDF417. This one seems to be catching on in the US. Developed in 1991, DHS plans to implement this technology onto / into the REALID Act (coming to a driver license near you)

Similar to the beer commercials of yesteryear - Everyone is going to have his or her own reason(s) for choosing either the QR Code or the SNAP TAG. I don't care what you use

JUST USE SOMETHING. Embed technology into your listing presentation, onto your yard sign, business card, etc. I have had three agents already pick up an extra listing by including it into the brochure for the property

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Debbie Gartner

The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY

The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Just starting to use QR codes (and I'm not even a realtor). Hadn't heard of these other options so thx for the education. I have a lot to learn. I suppose I would learn it faster if I actually had a smart phone. (but my biz is a bit different). I'll get theres someday - maybe on next upgrade.

Nov 13, 2010 10:32 PM

TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.

Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN

Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

Good morning Chuck. (snap tags) DISLIKES, Microsoft developed. As a MAC person, I left Microsoft for good when they came out with Vista. Haven't been a huge fan of Microsoft ever since. It seems as if they do not do in-depth research before they dump their products out on the public.

QR codes have been out since the mid 90's. I guess time will tell...

Nov 13, 2010 10:46 PM

Phil Leng

Retired - Kirkland, WA

Phil Leng - Retired

Hi Chuck,

Your post was well researched and informative.

However the phrase "other than getting into someone's pant" stopped me cold.

I looked at the picture of you and your little boy...

Somehow that phrase was really disturbing tome.

Phil

Nov 13, 2010 10:55 PM

Mike Jaquish

Realty Arts - Cary, NC

919-880-2769 Cary, NC, Real Estate

Chuck,

I am under the impression that MSFT has turned off a lot of potential by going proprietary. The ability to feature color is a benefit to those who prefer it, but I foresee limited embrace of MSFT's solution.

A newly FEATURED post in AR Group QR Codes!

Nov 13, 2010 11:58 PM

Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573

MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME

Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

It's funny to see QR codes posted everywhere like burdocks when in the blog post, all the same contact information is crowded around it.

Nov 14, 2010 12:04 AM

Chuck Ward Local Video Marketing

Florida Mobile Fusion Mobile, Marketing, Local SEO - Tampa, FL

SMS Marketing, Google Plus Local Pages

Sorry guys - I wrote this blog at way too early in the morning, so please let me clarify before I go to church

1) I am not trying to get into someone elses pants

2) It was an article written by someone else that I forgot to link to

3) Such forgotten link has now been inserted (Thanks for Pointing that Out Phil Leng!!!!)

Nov 14, 2010 12:51 AM

Terkel Sørensen

Real Estate Places - Temecula, CA

Realtor, 951.805.0773 , Bank owned and Short Sales

Good points - I'm sort of going to side with Michael here - but for different reasons.

MSFT is actually on the second go with the TAG codes, they had a different system earlier on one of their services, that has since been dropped, and this is a far better system.

Benefits as I see it, tracking does not require coding on the receiving page - so when you scan a TAG, it shows on your management site.

At the same time, the original QR code was introduced in Japan in '92 and is a pre-requisite there for a phone...

I will say this, I think the judge is still out, we have TAG codes on our signs and use QR codes on the flyers, buisness cards and just about anything else we want to promote people to look at.

For me, the biggest factor is that MS has a proprietary app to scan with and interment access is required, where QR codes can be scanned with a slew of QR apps, and the data is stored in the code itself, so you can get contact info anywhere...

How do you use it?

Dec 27, 2010 05:16 PM

Drick Ward Property Management / Broker Assoc

NEPTUNE REALTY - Virginia Beach, VA

"RealtorDrick" - Experienced Representation

I predict QR will prevail. Microsoft needs to stick with enterprise software and recognize that they don't belong in the phones platform. Their TAG product is an attempt to make their phones relevant. QR is more established, better tested, and has higher error tolerance. It's gaining in popularity too. Microsoft thought they could influence the market with sweatheart deals from food manufacturers and others. It's not going to work out well in the long run, I'm afraid. Good post though, people should be aware they have choices. Thanks for sharing.

Apr 24, 2011 03:03 AM

The Next War in Real Estate: QR Codes vs Snap Tags

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