I recently read a blog on Property Management Daily entitled “6 Property Management Companies Using the iPhone QR Code Feature” and it set my mind motion with a host of questions: Is the QR code technology going to be quickly surpassed with the next great reality integration marketing fad (going to way of the junk fax or automated cold calls)? What consumer demographic is most responsive to this type of consumer-initiated approach? Will prospective apartment residents ACTUALLY scan the QR code on the “For Rent” sign instead of calling the phone number?
In order to answer these questions, we need to make sure that the concept and creation of the QR code is understood. For those of us who as not familiar with the QR technology, here is a quick run down:
What is a QR Code?
Wikipedia defines it best as: “A QR Code is a specific matrix bar code (or two-dimensional code), readable by dedicated QR bar code readers and camera phones. The code consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background. The information encoded can be text, URL or other data.”
How do you create a QR Code?
It is very simple to create your own QR Code. To the left is First Light Property Management’s QR Code. It literally took me two minutes to create this code using http://www.beqrious.com. The beqrious website is easy and free to use.
How do you “read” the QR code?
You will need to download an app to your smart phone. There are several on the market for each type of phone and most of them are free. I use QR Scanner Code Pro for my Blackberry Torch and it works great.
Now that we understand it a little better, what shall we do with it? Do we reconfigure and recreate our signs, banner, business cards, etc to include one of these spiffy new codes to keep up with the trend? Or do we wait another 10 years and see the QR is still around? I would love to hear what other real estate companies or individuals are doing – is there a QR Code in your marketing plan’s future? Make it a great week. -Trevor