As millions of people join the smartphone revolution, real estate QR codes have increasingly become a great way for agents to instantly connect with prospective clients through creative marketing avenues.
What is a QR code?
QR codes, or Quick Response Codes, are two-dimensional bar codes that are arranged in a pattern of squares and used to encode product information. When scanned by a smartphone camera, the user can be directed to any web page you specify, such as your website’s home page, a specific listings profile page, your contact information, a page with a video offering more information about you, etc. The benefit of this new technology is the person can easily scan the code and be directed to where they want to go, no need to enter a website address. QR codes allow agents to track how many times someone has clicked on their different codes. QR codes have already been used in a number of ways, including on direct mail pieces, business cards, movie posters and even signposts to provide visitor information about a city.
Some have estimated that around 1 billion people will own a smartphone by 2013. The more people start to realize just how convenient these handy codes are, the more they will become mainstream.
Marketing Potential
Agents can use QR codes in real estate marketing as an innovative tool because potentially it can simplify and accelerate the process of promoting homes for sellers and attracting buyers to listings while connecting them to the agent’s website. The simple design and size make it easy to integrate QR codes into real-life marketing tools. The following are just a few ideas of where to add your QR codes.
1. Flyers. Put a QR code on your listing flyers and send potential buyers to a YouTube video featuring you and the home they are interested in, a slide show of the home, or listing page with additional photos.
2. Lawn Signs. Similar to Flyers, a QR code on lawn signs give buyers instant access to virtual tours, property specifications, community information, and mortgage options by leading them to your website.
3. Magazine Advertising, Business Cards & Stationary. Consider linking the QR code to a video that starts by mentioning where the barcode was scanned, (i.e. Thanks for reading REALTOR(R) Magazine, etc) and then moves on to the information you want to convey. It could also connect clients to a website, Facebook page, blog, or Twitter account.
4. Direct Mail Pieces. In a mail campaign, using QR codes is a great way to connect with potential sellers. Send the viewer to a video tour of of yourself talking about the wonderful neighborhood area that they live in and the great opportunities available to sell a home fast using innovative marketing tools (such as QR codes!).
5. Your Vehicle. Similar to using a business card technique, provide a video that starts off by thanking the client for scanning the QR code and reiterating the need to have an agent willing to use the most innovative and effective marketing tools available.
How To Create QR Codes for Real Estate Marketing
Creating your own QR codes is simple and FREE. Follow our steps on How To Create QR Codes for Real Estate Marketing using Google’s free online service.
Thoughts
When used effectively, QR codes for real estate are an excellent way to engage your target audience. They are simple and inexpensive, making them easy to integrate into any current marketing tools already being used. Best of all, they can help Agents stay a step ahead of their competition. Hopefully this article has introduced you to enough to get you experimenting with this great marketing tool. Let us know if you have been using them successfully or how you plan to use them in the future.
