The Next War in Real Estate: QR Codes vs Snap Tags
So once again, I find myself up early (415 AM Eastern). My own time to review, plan for the upcoming week (or day) without having to turn every two minutes to answer a question from my OCD four year.
This morning I was browsing a few AR featured posts and found a few in particular that interested me.
My favorite, other than trying to get back into someone's pants (an article written by Sarah Bennett), was an article written by Tanya Nouwens of Canada about the QR Code being here to stay. As I read the comments I was surprised that so many people do NOT use this kinda of technology
In this corner - QR Codes
Most QR code technology was developed in Japan around 1994 to solve problems of tracking inventory.
You can make a QR code do a variety of things
- Call a phone number
- Push to a web site (suggestion, make it a landing page)
- Download Free Text
- SMS Text Message (I am interested in that one, but I could not get it to work the way that I wanted it to)
- Attach a VCard or VCalendar and download onto a phone (great for anyone - Could this be the next electronic business card?)
- Google Maps Location (Long and Lat only right now, but you are smart, you can find that easily)
- Social Media (Status Updates, Likes, Profiles - If you are on social media so much that you need a QR Code - I am sure that there is an SMA - Social Media Anonymous - near you)
- Can be custom colorized
- DISLIKES: Does not give a location of where to download
- DISLIKES: Free, except for the advanced features, such as social media updating
In the other corner -- MS Snap Tag
- Call a phone number
- Push to a website URL
- Download Free Text
- Download a VCard
- Online Video/Photos
- Symbol can be customized
- Can be made into 8, 4 or two color tags
- LIKES: Analytics can be embedded (a need be for real estate industry professional)
- LIKES: Microsoft Developed
- DISLIKES: Lack of applications at this time - I would love to see the ability for my phone to send an SMS/Text message to a number of choice - That would be HUGE for me)
The most popular QR Code function I personally remember was internet postage (Stamps.com. Just recently I took a flight completely paperless as I had the QR Code sent to my phone in an email. Takes the place of the paper boarding pass. (Ok I admit, I had a paper pass as a backup!)
There are several types of QR Code Technology - One (called the Aztec Code) is being tested in the Polish car insurance industry
My favorite was the ShotCode. But after reading about it, I don't see it lasting
Then there is PDF417. This one seems to be catching on in the US. Developed in 1991, DHS plans to implement this technology onto / into the REALID Act (coming to a driver license near you)
Similar to the beer commercials of yesteryear - Everyone is going to have his or her own reason(s) for choosing either the QR Code or the SNAP TAG. I don't care what you use
JUST USE SOMETHING. Embed technology into your listing presentation, onto your yard sign, business card, etc. I have had three agents already pick up an extra listing by including it into the brochure for the property
WANNA KNOCK THE SOCKS OF YOUR NEXT LISTING PRESENTATION
(FREE HD VIRTUAL TOUR, FREE VIDEO AND A 10 SECOND CRAIGSLIST UPLOADER)
|
|
|
| View the Video about the Process | Sign Up Today |
|
Chuck Ward
Executive Director Florida Mobile Fusion |
Office: 813-388-9181
Email: chuck@floridamobilefusion.com Web Address: http://floridamobilefusion.com
|
House not selling? It's not your property, it is the marketing plan. Download the secret, ninja strategy that helped an agent get 13 of 15 expired listings in one week. Upload unlimited pictures, video, documents and get virtual tours on every single listing. For less than a cup of coffee from the dollar menu.
Text "MUSTC" to 79564 for a demo
Just starting to use QR codes (and I'm not even a realtor). Hadn't heard of these other options so thx for the education. I have a lot to learn. I suppose I would learn it faster if I actually had a smart phone. (but my biz is a bit different). I'll get theres someday - maybe on next upgrade.
Good morning Chuck. (snap tags) DISLIKES, Microsoft developed. As a MAC person, I left Microsoft for good when they came out with Vista. Haven't been a huge fan of Microsoft ever since. It seems as if they do not do in-depth research before they dump their products out on the public.
QR codes have been out since the mid 90's. I guess time will tell...
Hi Chuck,
Your post was well researched and informative.
However the phrase "other than getting into someone's pant" stopped me cold.
I looked at the picture of you and your little boy...
Somehow that phrase was really disturbing tome.
Phil
Chuck,
I am under the impression that MSFT has turned off a lot of potential by going proprietary. The ability to feature color is a benefit to those who prefer it, but I foresee limited embrace of MSFT's solution.
A newly FEATURED post in AR Group QR Codes!
It's funny to see QR codes posted everywhere like burdocks when in the blog post, all the same
contact information is crowded around it.
Sorry guys - I wrote this blog at way too early in the morning, so please let me clarify before I go to church
1) I am not trying to get into someone elses pants
2) It was an article written by someone else that I forgot to link to
3) Such forgotten link has now been inserted (Thanks for Pointing that Out Phil Leng!!!!)
Good points - I'm sort of going to side with Michael here - but for different reasons.
MSFT is actually on the second go with the TAG codes, they had a different system earlier on one of their services, that has since been dropped, and this is a far better system.
Benefits as I see it, tracking does not require coding on the receiving page - so when you scan a TAG, it shows on your management site.
At the same time, the original QR code was introduced in Japan in '92 and is a pre-requisite there for a phone...
I will say this, I think the judge is still out, we have TAG codes on our signs and use QR codes on the flyers, buisness cards and just about anything else we want to promote people to look at.
For me, the biggest factor is that MS has a proprietary app to scan with and interment access is required, where QR codes can be scanned with a slew of QR apps, and the data is stored in the code itself, so you can get contact info anywhere...
How do you use it?
I predict QR will prevail. Microsoft needs to stick with enterprise software and recognize that they don't belong in the phones platform. Their TAG product is an attempt to make their phones relevant. QR is more established, better tested, and has higher error tolerance. It's gaining in popularity too. Microsoft thought they could influence the market with sweatheart deals from food manufacturers and others. It's not going to work out well in the long run, I'm afraid. Good post though, people should be aware they have choices. Thanks for sharing.