So you're looking to dive in with QR codes for real estate?
This article will tell you the steps to get started.
Step 1) Decide how you want to implement your QR codes.
There are many different places that you can put a QR code to achieve good results. The top 2 are on the back of your business card, and on your for sale sign. Putting a QR code on your listing's sign is a great way to instantly put information in a prospective buyers hand. The back of your business card is a clever way to put additional information into a prospective sellers hands and to show your high technological acumen to the industry and to your sellers.
A UPC Property Profile
When you go to your next listing appointment it is highly suggested that you bring in one of your real estate sign riders that has a QR code on it. Universal Property Code (http://upcqr.com) is a QR code company that makes it very easy to manage all your QR codes for real estate. Free QR codes are okay for a 1 time use, but services like UniversalPropertyCode.com allow you to reuse the QR code over and over again.
Take a QR code in to your appointment and scan it with your phone in front of the client. Show them a homes information and watch how impressed they are. Take it one more level and enter their house's information before you show up, you will knock their socks off.
Step 2) Make your first QR code
If you want to try making a free code online, that is perfectly fine. Be aware that once you create it, you usually can't change the destination URL. If you have it go to your web page, then it will always go to your web page. If you use a QR code service like UPC (which is $1 per code per month) then you can change the destination anytime you want. You can have it go to your website one minute, then a YouTube video the next minute.
Once you have your first code in your hand, scan it. Scan just as you would if you were a customer. See what happens.
If the Internet gods are kind to you and your free code was set up correctly, it should pop you to your website. If it doesn't get you to where you need to go then you need to create another new code. If you are using a service like UPC and it does not take you where you need to go, log in to the service, change the destination, and re-scan the same code to get a different result.
Step 3) Place AND test your code
Now that you have your working code(s) you need to get them out there to the public! Once you have put your code on your real estate sign or sign rider, you have to test it. Make sure it is visible from the street and see how your phones signal strength is. The potential buyer will not like if there is no cell service at the property and they can't get any information from the code! If you are in a remote location it might be best to skip the QR code.
Now your reusable QR code's are working to get your buyers the information they want right now!
Want to improve your real estate branding with QR codes for real estate?
Make sure that the company you get your QR codes from has an app associated with it. Apps are hot right now and you want a QR code company that has their own scanning app, that way your potential customers have the most state of the art, up to date, cutting edge technology on the market!
Apps offer functionality that is simply not available in the mobile phones web browser. When looking to use QR codes with your real estate signs, be sure to look at price & app.
You need to know if there are any hidden fee's and that the company has the ability to tend to your needs for a long time.
You've seen them around.
You've seen them at conventions.
You've downloaded a free QR code scanning app or two (If you haven't shame on you, download our free QR code scanning app by searching "Universal Property Code").
You've scanned a code at least once to see what they are all about. Now its time to get started using UPC's reusable qr codes for real estate!
Reusable QR codes by UPC, LLC
Here is a list of the things you will need to get started ±10 minutes (it is quick to get up and running) A Credit Card (The cost is $1 per code) Your properties information An Internet connection (which you have if you are reading this!)
If you run into any problems during your account creation just give us a call, we are here to help 480-626-4566.
Step 1 Registration:
Navigate to http://universalpropertycode.com and click register in the upper right corner.
You will be asked to enter in your name, company name, website etc. This information can always be changed later so here are the most important parts of the registration:
Enter in your cell phone number so that you can receive texts from potential customers
Include the http:// in your website so that users will be able to link to your site
You will be asked to upload your agent photo along with your company logo:
Upload square photos (same height and width) for best results
You are able to change these later so don't worry about skipping to the next step
Next you will be asked to agree with our terms of service (dang lawyers) and enter in a captcha code to ensure that you are not a computer.
When you click to continue, a message will pop up saying that you need to verify your email address. Open up your email inbox and find the email from registration@universalpropertycode.com. It comes instantly so if you do not see it, your firewall may be blocking it as bulk/spam.
Once you have verified your email address go to http://universalpropertycode.com and log in.
Step 2 Entering Property Information:
You begin by entering in information for one of your listings. If you just want to link to a URL skip the next three paragraphs.
You may enter in as much or as little information that you want. The required fields are Price and Address. You may enter in an MLS number for realtor reference but this will not import the data.
The description field has a maximum of 800 characters (MLS standard) so it is best to cut and paste this description from your MLS.
When you have entered in all the fields that you want to, select the "save and continue" button. This will take you to step 2 where you can email yourself the codes.
You can select to either send yourself the code art by itself, or on ready made rider art that includes some steps for the potential scanners. You can resend the codes to yourself at anytime by logging in, clicking on the "my properties" tab, selecting the link on the left that says send me my code. Like the verification email these codes will be sent to you immediately once you have an active paid account.
Select continue and you will be taken to the Activate and Pay page. This is the page where you enter in your credit card information. All payments are made securely with encryption and third party payment handling.
DONE
Now you are up and running with the latest and greatest QR code technology! Print your code on a durable material and let the public scan to their hearts content. You've done it, you've created a reusable QR code that you will never have to replace again.
So you are a real estate agent and you want to get started using http://universalpropertycode.com reusable QR codes? This article will walk you through the ways you can use UPC, and then the steps to get started!
Frequently Asked Questions How much does it really cost and how long am I locked in?
It costs $1 per code per month with a 5 code minimum. There are not any add-on pricing or upgrades from a basic package, you get the entire functionality for $1 per code per month. There is a 1 time setup fee of $19.95 when you register your account. There are no long term contracts. You pay month to month and can cancel at anytime
Do you send me a rider sign in the mail?
When you have finished setting up your account you send yourself an email with your codes in it. They are delivered instantly to your inbox as .png files and you can use them any way that you would like. We recommend forwarding that same email to your sign company and they will have your sign rider printed for you.
Do they need to use your app to scan the code?
They can use any app to scan the reusable UPC code but the property information will only display for someone that scans the code with the free UPC app. If you are linking a user directly to a URL then any app can be used to scan the UPC code.
Do I enter in the property information or import it?
You enter in the property information manually. There are a limited number of fields to enter and this process should not take more than 2-3 minutes per property. Be sure to cut and paste the description from MLS to speed up the process. You enter in similar information as you would if you were creating a flyer!
Have a question yourself? We are always here to help 480-626-4566
Ways to use UPC Reusable QR codes:
There are two different general ways that you can leverage http://universalpropertycode.com reusable QR codes for your real estate marketing needs.
Two different functionalities:
Displaying property information on our Universal Property Code app. This is next generation reusable QR code functionality!
UPC has developed a free application for the iPhone and Android platforms. This app is a free QR code scanning app. Users can download this app to have a free fully functioning QR code reader specifically for Real Estate. To download the app a user must either search for "Universal Property Code" in their iPhone App Store/Android Market, or scan the UPC code with an existing scanner on their phone. If they scan a UPC code with an existing scanner, they will be taken to a mobile download page and prompted to download the app.
By entering in property information for a specific individual house you will be fully leveraging the capability of your QR code. The potential customer that scans the code can:
View property information (price, sq ft. etc.)
Navigate to the Realtors website
e-mail the realtor
text the realtor
call the realtor
view up to 10 property photos
follow a URL link of the Realtors choice (virtual tour, lead capture page, etc.)
enter and save notes regarding the property
map the house precisely
all of the homes scanned are automatically saved in their phone
Linking the potential customer to a URL
UPC also has the capability to function as a typical QR code but with the caveat that UPC codes are 100% reusable and can be pointed to any URL at anytime. We don't just give the agent a 1 time use code. We give you a code that you can keep forever, and that can be reused forever.
With this functionality the user does not need to have downloaded the free UPC app. The user can scan the UPC with any scanner available on the market. You log in to the system and enter/change the URL that you want the customer to navigate to at anytime.
How to get started
Step 1 Registration:
Be sure to always remember that we are here to help, so if you need any assistance call us at 480-626-4566
Navigate to http://universalpropertycode.com and click register in the upper right corner.
You will be asked to enter in your name, company name, website etc. This information can always be changed later so here are the most important parts of the registration:
Enter in your cell phone number so that you can receive texts from potential customers
Include the http:// in your website so that users will be able to link to your site
You will be asked to upload your agent photo along with your company logo:
Upload square photos (same height and width) for best results
You are able to change these later so don't worry about skipping to the next step
Next you will be asked to agree with our terms of service (dang lawyers) and enter in a captcha code to ensure that you are not a computer.
When you click to continue, a message will pop up saying that you need to verify your email address. Open up your email inbox and find the email from registration@universalpropertycode.com. It comes instantly so if you do not see it, your firewall may be blocking it as bulk/spam.
Once you have verified your email address go to http://universalpropertycode.com and log in.
Step 2 Entering Property Information:
You begin by entering in information for one of your listings. If you just want to link to a URL skip the next three paragraphs.
You may enter in as much or as little information that you want. The required fields are Price and Address. You may enter in an MLS number for realtor reference but this will not import the data.
The description field has a maximum of 800 characters (MLS standard) so it is best to cut and paste this description from your MLS.
To upload a photo click the browse button (this button has different names depending on your browser). Choose your photo and select "add". You will now see the thumbnail of that photo on the screen. Be sure to select the "set as primary" button on the photo that you want as your primary photo.
If you just want to link to a URL you need to first enter in the required fields (address, price). We suggest you enter in the property address or a keyword in the street address that will help you remember which QR code goes to what URL. Enter in 11111 for the zip code field. Scroll down and on the left hand column there is an option all the way on the bottom that says "Want to make this UPC code ONLY link to a web page?" Check that box and enter in the desired URL. You can change this URL anytime!
When you have entered in all the fields that you want to, select the "save and continue" button. This will take you to step 2 where you can email yourself the codes.
You can select to either send yourself the code art by itself, or on ready made rider art that includes some steps for the potential scanners. You can resend the codes to yourself at anytime by logging in, clicking on the "my properties" tab, selecting view for the desired property, scrolling down and selecting the option to send yourself the code. Like the verification email these codes will be sent to you immediately once you have a active paid account.
Select continue and you will be taken to the Activate and Pay page. This is the page where you enter in your credit card information. All payments are made securely with encryption and third party payment handling.
This is where you choose your UPC subscription. Each code is $1 per month with a minimum of 5 codes. If you want 10 codes then select 10 codes for $10. There is a pull down menu that lets you select how many codes you desire. If you would like a larger amount of codes than shows on the pull down menu, simply enter in manually the number of codes you would like.
Our robust reusable QR code system allows you to easily handle and manage all of your QR codes for real estate.
Now that you have entered in your payment information your account is up and running!
Now send yourself your code and try scanning it! You can send the codes to yourself at anytime by logging in, clicking on the "my properties" tab, selecting view for the desired property, scrolling down and selecting the option to send yourself the code.
Remember that our QR codes for real estate are reusable!
Which is better? The Reusable QR Code or the Microsoft Tag
We always want to know that we are using the "best" technology. The kind of technology that will beat all of the others and be around for years. None of us want to pick the crappy technology that goes away in months. We want to pick the Xbox and not the Sega CD, the Airplane and not the Zeppelin.
So which bar code technology should we pick, the Microsoft Tag or the QR code?
Lets look at some of the pros and con's of each technology along with some key differences to decide which one is the champ and will survive the longest.
First off, the Microsoft TAG is colorful. Color is nice, but here are the different things that you can currently put in to a TAG.
-URL for a website -Phone Call -vCard (contact) -Text
Here are the things that you can put in to a QR code.
-URL for a website -Bookmark (Favorite) -Phone Call -SMS message -Email message -vCard (Contact) -Text -Encryption -Geographical Coordinates
-Jigsaw
TAG's are all the same size in relation to each other which provides for very fast scanning with a reader. QR codes can be read exceptionally fast (hence the QR Quick Response) but only if it is a decent size QR code with a good reader. Extremely large or small QR codes are very tough to scan.
TAG's can only be read with a Microsoft Tag reader (which is available for most phones). QR codes are open source and can be read by hundreds of online and offline devices.
The main difference between a TAG and a QR code is that a TAG is just an ID that fetches information corresponding to that ID. QR codes can be encoded with many different types of data that can do a myriad of things.
QR codes are a very mature technology that have been used for a long time in many countries. TAG is a reasonably young technology that has not yet been proven. TAG's also are accessed on a private server so if that server ever goes down all the tags out there will be SOL. QR codes can put all the information that you need right inside the code. You can make tags look very customized like in the example to the right.
Some QR codes have a Reed Solomon error correction up to 30% meaning that 30% of the surface area of the code can be ruined and the code will still function. This means that you can put a picture of yourself or your company logo smack dab on the code and it will still work. See the example to the right.
Both technologies are useful and can be used to implement great marketing. Microsoft tag has potential and I am taking a wait and see approach before I will fully endorse them. QR codes are proven and have ±60 million users in Japan which is pretty impressive. For now I would use the Reusable QR code (make sure it is reusable and that you can change where it points to at anytime http://upcqr.com) over the Microsoft Tag.
So you are thinking about getting started with QR codes on your real estate signs. Awesome, you are ahead of the curve. This post will talk about best practices when using QR codes for real estate.
First and foremost we need to decide where we want to put these QR codes. There are a few common places, and others that you may think of. Be creative and put them where you think they will benefit you the most.
Places to put your QR codes -On your RE sign in front of the house -On your business card -On your property flyer in front of a house -On your property flyer not in front of a house (at a different open house, at your office, etc.) -In a newspaper ad
For each of the possibilities above, and for others not listed, you need to put yourself in the shoes of a would be scanner to think of what you would want when you scan the code.
For this post we are going to focus on a QR code for your real estate sign.
Lets put ourselves in the shoes of someone that may scan our QR code on our real estate sign. They are already in front of the house. They already have a mild interest or they wouldn't be standing in front of your sign thinking about scanning your QR code. What do they need, and what do they want?
Should I put instructions on how to download an app to scan the QR code?
QR codes are becoming quite popular (especially in the RE industry), but they are still new. Many people have never seen one of these codes before. You may be as detailed or ambiguous in your instructions on how to scan the code.
Some agents do not put any instructions, just the code. Others put some steps to scan the code. We suggest, at this point (April 2011), to put some instructions and call to action on what to do. Tell them to scan the code and give them a few steps. Once the QR code market is very active then you will not need to put any instructions.
I want to have instructions, what should I put?
We have found that if you are going to put any instructions on your sign, then you need to be detailed and specific. Here are two examples of instructions, which do you like?
-Download a free scanner on your phone and scan the code!
-Search in your app store (iPhone) / market place (Android) for "Universal Property Code" and tap to download the free scanning app. Once installed open the application and it will open your camera on your phone. Aim your camera at the QR code and it will automatically scan the code and display this properties information!
If a potential buyer has actually taken the time to stop in front of your listing and download an app to scan your code, tell them what to look for. There is nothing more disappointing then having them search for "real estate code scanner" and not figuring out what to download. Pick your favorite free scanner and have them download it! Universal Property Code is a free scanning app that will automatically capture the code and link them to any website without them having to look at ads or click a bunch of buttons.
Yes, they scanned my code, what should I show them?
Your potential buyer has stopped in front of your sign...pulled out their phone...downloaded and opened their scanning app...scanned your code... and now you need to reward them.
What do they want? They don't want to go to a Realtors website & dig through to get more info. They don't want to only get a Realtors contact info. They don't want to have to sign up on a website to get more info. They don't want to call to get more info. They don't want to text to get more info. They don't want to see a tiny website that's not optimized for their mobile device.
They want more information about the house in front of them. They want the price. They want the bed/baths and square footage. They want to see pictures. They want to send info about the house to a friend/spouse. They want all this information, and they want it right away.
Give it to them. Give them what they want. Display the properties information on a mobile enabled web page or use a system like http://universalpropertycode.com that has all of the features built in. Above all else, make sure that if you were the one scanning the code, you would be satisfied with what you got when you scanned the code.
http://universalpropertycode.com has created an easy to use QR system for real estate. They will provide reusable QR codes (once you sell a house just move your sign to the next listing) for $1 per code per month. To waive the sign up fee and receive half off for 4 months enter the coupon code BLOGGER (all caps) at checkout.
It's survival of the fittest and Blackberry has not evolved or adapted. They continue to fail at every turn. For the last several years I had the mindset that they would get their stuff together and continue to be the largest mobile phone company out there. They have not, and are poised to fail spectacularly.
Yesterday I was at a real estate conference in Mesa Arizona focused on Real Estate technology. Our company offers a reusable qr code service for the real estate industry. As part of our service we created a free app for iPhone and Android. We have been debating for the last 6 months whether or not to create a Blackberry app. We had real estate agents of all ages coming to our booth to download our app and try scanning some QR codes.
Nearly half of the people visiting our booth had brand new Android phones (literally looked like they just came out of the box). I asked each one, "What phone did you switch from?". The answer for every single one was Blackberry. I asked if they had any regrets and they all said no. Some even laughed at how long it took them to switch over.
iPhone and Android phones dominated this real estate conference. The real estate industry has been holding on to their blackberries, refusing to switch, for years now. It seems that the holdout is over. Real estate agents are switching over to iPhone and Android at an incredible rate.
People have figured out that Blackberry is dying!
Even now, when Blackberry is sinking like a boat with no bottom, they continue to make blunders. They are launching a tablet to battle iPad that has no software development kit, no native mail, no messaging, and no contact management app.
They may as well stop all research and development, fire everyone not essential to keeping their current customers active, stockpile as much money as possible, and let their customers cancel their service one after another until they can finally shut down their service once and for all.
Okay the last paragraph is a bit overkill but you get the picture. They must change or they will not survive this ultra competitive marketplace. Only time will tell if they fail spectacularly.
We provide QR codes for real estate. Easy to use interface and code gets emailed to you instantly. http://Universalpropertycode.com Try us out, $1 per month
