Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Dive in to Reusable QR Codes for Real Estate

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.

Go ahead and pat yourself on the back.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Getting Started with reusable QR codes from UPC

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!

Contact us at anytime 480-626-4566

About Me

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Scottsdale, Arizona, United States
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