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Using QR Codes With Your Real Estate Website

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with iHOUSEweb Inc.

First, if you don't know what a QR code is... in a nutshell, QR codes are a digital barcode that is used by a Scanner app to automatically connect with a website, MMS, email and other similar uses. If you have a smart phone like an iPhone, Blackberry, or Android phone there are apps like Red Laser, a popular QR Code scanner that you can download for free.


Before I even get into the practical applications of using QR codes with your website, I'd like to take a moment to debunk a few common misconceptions about them. It'll help solidify the fact that this is a relevant topic and not a passing fad.

  1. "My customers aren't going to scan a QR code." QR Code use is up by 1200% since last year. More and more people are using bar code scan apps to look for everything from food reviews to real estate and everything in between.
  2. "QR Codes are a fad!" So was Google, Facebook, and Four Square. Nobody knew what a Groupon was last year either for that matter. QR Codes have been around since 1994. They've been HUGE in Japan for the last 5 years and are all over advertising in nearly every major city.
  3. "QR Codes are expensive to implement." WRONG! They're practically free to implement. Read on and we'll explain how.

 

Do You Have a Smart Phone? Try Scanning The QR Code Below!

Real Estate QR Codes

 

So this idea was first brought up by Scott Moneybrake, Director of Sales at iHOUSEweb, makers of the ELITE Real Estate Website.

Try scanning the QR code in the graphic above. You'll be taken to a specific listing on an ELITE agent site. This demonstration illustrates how REALTORS(R) across the country are using QR Codes - on Listing Flyers, For Sale Signs, Business Cards, Bus Ads, and even BillBoards. In fact, Scott informed me of a free website that lets you generate these QR codes on the fly for FREE at Delivr.com

Try creating a saved search results page in your ELITE website or linking to a specific listing and using the free QR code you've generated in your next print ad. Add them to your flyers and business cards too! You'll get loads of questions from less savvy REALTORS(R) who will want to know what that funny little barcode is. Be prepared for comments from buyers and sellers too, they’ll be impressed at how forward thinking you are in comparison to other agents.

How To Use QR Codes With Real Estate Websites

Comments (5)

Leah Henderson
Asset Realty, Inc - Columbia, SC

I know about them and use them occasionally. But I think that they will take years before we are using them to access information. IT's like being at the book store and reading the book instead of buying it after taking it home. It's not practical and relatively unusual manner of doing research. We just don't look that deeply into matters when out and about shopping/driving/driving. But that is my two cents. Regards, Leah

Jun 16, 2011 01:15 AM
Mike Sackman
MAS Real Estate Advisors - Beaufort, SC
Realtor, Broker ABR, CRS. Closer!

Definatley going to implement in my marketing. It is so inexpensive, even if you don't use it, your clietns will be impressed. 75% of realtors didn't have a facebook page last year either......

Jun 17, 2011 04:17 PM
Tara Lewis
The Horn Company Real Estate Group - Hondo, TX
Medina County TX Real Estate

Thanks SO much for this post... I just downloaded a QR Reader app and it worked beautifully on the above code.  Now - to order codes and get them on my signs!!

Jul 13, 2011 05:14 AM
Chuck Mixon
The Keyes Company - Cutler Bay, FL
Cutler Bay Specialist, GRI, CDPE, BPOR

I not sure if I am missing something in the QR Codes when it comes to websites.  To me QR Codes are Hyper-kinks  between Paper Media and the Internet. When you scan the QR Code with a smart phone you are redirected to the website or other source. I see not need to use QR Code on a website since we have already a mean to redirect user with Hyper-Link that are small and take up less Real Estate, save the website area for other valuable  information, and use QR Code in Magazines and Ads.

Jan 25, 2012 02:07 PM
John Mosier
Realty ONE Group Mountain Desert - Prescott, AZ
Prescott's Patriot Agent 928 533-8142

I understand how QR codes work, but is there an application that converts my large format website into a size suitable for the smartphones?

Jun 11, 2012 07:06 PM