Reading a recent ActiveRain post about how one should NOT use QR codes on their websites, I thought that I’d share how my take on QR codes is a bit different--far too long for just a comment! I found it interesting that QR codes came up in conversation twice for me today. The first time, being a discussion with a fellow ActiveRain member about this very topic–using QR codes on your website. This agent had been convinced to remove the QR code from his website. In retrospect, he has since replaced this valuable tool on his website.
We believe that many professionals are a bit short sighted when it comes to utilizing QR codes on their websites, arguing that the use of QR codes on a website is foolish. Think again–QR codes make perfect sense when used on your website and for a variety of reasons.
Here are some examples that a real estate professional could utilize QR codes directly on their websites:
- You’re sharing a downloadable item such as a mobile app to your website. The use of the QR code is so much simpler than typing in the link on your smartphone.
- You’re sharing your address or contact information to consumers to add to their address book. Easy peasy–They can scan that QR code and you’re in their phone as a contact!
- Create a tour utilizing maps and QR codes for your buyers to drive to see if they like the area. Your buyers can scan it from your email on their computer before they head out.
- You do want your site to be mobile-friendly, right? (Scroll down to the bottom of my home page on my website to view an example of how it can be discreetly displayed). QR codes make a good deal of sense for your mobile-friendly consumers. If you have a mobile-friendly site, why NOT utilize the QR code in a discreet place on the home page or search page of your website? Here are a few examples of how one may want to utilize your QR Code directly from your site:
Headed out to preview a listing? If you have a QR code on your individual home search results pages, you can scan the code and you’re instantly on the home search page. For me, it’s SO much easier than logging onto the browser on my smartphone, typing (with my large fingers on the small smartphone keyboard!) the url and possibly missing a letter and having to begin all over again!)- Before meeting you for evening showings, clients can scan the search page and easily pinpoint the listing and even map where they’re meeting you on their smartphone.
- If your relocation client wants to download your contact information to their phone without the risk of typing a wrong number in your phone contact, QR codes are the way to go!
QR codes instantly transition a consumer from a website to mobile device. Remember that your goal is to make the transition the online/web world to the mobile world as seamless as possible. QR codes are just the technology to do this. There are many free sites online to create your own QR codes and it takes less than 3 minutes to create one. And, using them on your website is savvy marketing!
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