A full series on QR Codes wouldn't be complete without looking at the opposite side of the coin. I have to say this is tough for me because, well, let's face it, I firmly believe in the power of the QR Code. But in fairness, let me cover the different arguments against QR Codes.
I don't want people looking at my listing on their phone
If my web site wasn't formatted for smart phones, I probably wouldn't want them there either. In many cases when I see this comment, that is really the underlying problem. In this case, don't take them to your existing content but take the user to a virtual tour, a video or a vCard.
I don't want to have something that drains my users phone battery
This was a new one on me, but it is a legitimate gripe. When your customer bought the smart phone, that was the first day they started complaining about battery life. As an semi-active smart phone user, I have a USB charger to hook to my laptop, a cigarette lighter charger for my car, a wall charger for my house and if I sat still long enough, I would have a solar charger. The more power you give a phone without advancing battery technology, the more this will be an issue. That being said, as a user, I don't blame the web site, I blame the manufacturer of the phone, the cell service provider, that bunny that just ran across my path, etc. It is better to give good content than be concerned about your user's cell battery.
What if I scan a QR Code and it takes me to a not-so-nice web site?
Obviously this is a potential issue when you dial an 800 number, click on a link or scan a QR Code. If you know the source of the QR Code, you can be reasonably sure it will go to a good / safe location.
What if my competitor tears off my QR Code sticker or colors it in?
Is this really happening? Are other realtors stealing your signs, your property sheets or your business cards? If so, then yes, they are going to steal and deface your stickers. They've gone that far for other things that they won't stop just because technology is involved.
What if a bird poops on my QR Sticker?
Yes this was a real question and in fact is perfectly warranted. Birds poop in the most inconvenient locations. The great thing about QR Codes is that they can be damaged up to 30% and still scan properly.
What if the sun fades my QR Sticker?
Another downside to good weather here in Florida is that everything fades in the sun. Especially me on particularly hot afternoons. Again, the upside to QR codes is that they can fade and still be readible. You will probably want to replace your sign rider sticker simply for aesthetic reasons if it has faded to the point that the QR Code can't be read.
People don't know what to do with those things.
This is a very valid argument. QR Codes are new to US consumers. However, awareness of what they are and what they do is growing at a ridiculously fast rate. However to assist, I would have your sign rider say, Scan this Code for complete property information (or whatever you give them when they scan it). Below that in smaller print, I would put, "If you don't have a QR Code application on your phone, we like ....." This tells them where to find a QR Scanner.
What if I put the wrong QR Code on the property?
The marketing guy in me would say "Good Cross Selling". As my daughter's 2nd grade teacher always says, "double check your work before turning it in." Don't go by the "I cut it twice and it's still too short" method. A little extra time to make sure you are doing it right will help you out.
I tried it before and it didn't work. So I am done with them.
That is what I used to hear about web sites back in 1998. Guess what, just because new technology wasn't fabulous when it first came out doesn't mean that it will forever be that way. Stay on top of the technology and give it another try. Perhaps you were too soon to the party or just didn't have anything they wanted to see more about.
I tried the Microsoft Tags and nobody scanned them.
Yep, no argument there. There's another example of Microsoft jumping in and saying, "do it our way because we are Microsoft." Unfortunately the QR Scanners didn't set up their software to read Microsoft's tags so readibility of those tags are limited to the readers that were designed for it. Industry standards are with the QR Code layout right now.
I don't know if anybody used it or not. I have no tracking.
There are several ways to induce tracking. With our system, we added a vanity url shortener greatho.me and we can track click throughs as the page passes through our url shortener. Otherwise, we can hook up an analytics program like Google Analytics and place our tracking codes on our landing pages that way as well.
Bah. Change. Technology. Grumble Grumble. Bah.
No argument there. Really. You just muttered and groaned. I am not sure how to answer that one.
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