Agents Need to Use Technology to Stay a Step Ahead

Agents Need to Use Technology to Stay a Step Ahead

12:22 PM, 25th November 2011, About 12 years ago 11

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One of the most important aspects of running a business is keeping one step ahead of the competition and providing a service over and above your competitors. There’s no better time to start this than now since with Smartphones in increasingly more pockets, the possibilities are endless. Every Letting or Estate Agent should look at investing in this technology to assist in the marketing of their properties and to make themselves more accessible.

One such technology is the QR Code. If you do not know what this is or you think you have never used one then read on. If you are fully aware of the power that this new technology offers then you already know the power that is just waiting to be unleashed!

QR stands for Quick Response. It is a square piece of what can only be described as a bunch of small black squares randomly arranged on a white background. To give you an idea of what it looks like take a look at this example:

I have created this QR Code to demonstrate how easy it is to get your message across using this new technology. When scanned, this “bunch of small black squares randomly arranged on a white background” will take you to property118.com on your Smartphone! If it can be used in this way just think how much more you can do with this revolutionary technology!

Of course this is not restricted to creating a QR Code for your website. You can get creative with and use them for:

  1. Sharing contact details via Smartphones
  2. Printing out your contact details on your letters
  3. Use the contact code for your company as your profile picture on social networking sites
  4. Or have property details printed out and placed on your letting boards, allowing your potential tenants to view as they walk!

Letting agents and landlords have traditionally taken the time and effort to attend the property for a viewing with a prospective tenant, but the prospective tenant often decides as soon as they walk in the door that the property is not for them. By letting them have the ability to view properties right from their smartphone can save you and them valuable time.

There are various smartphone apps available on the market- free and paid for ones- that allow you to create your own “bunch of small black squares randomly arranged on a white background” which can then be used in a variety of ways to promote your business and the properties that you are marketing.

By embracing technology as it evolves allows you to stay one step ahead of the competition. As a letting agent, you need to make your business and property as accessible as possible. You owe it to yourself, but more importantly you owe it to your landlords!


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Comments

Mary Latham

15:22 PM, 25th November 2011, About 12 years ago

Mark thank you for your very clear description of what a QR code is and is capable of doing. Even an old lady like me can understand it now. I love technology and this looks like a realy great way to save time and also to show that a landlord or agent is in the 21st century. In my opinion it gives a clear message to tenants that you are "forward" thinking and professional and in a world where landlords and agents are not respected it might just make the difference to a prospective tenant.

I am really busy at the moment but in the new year I will be stalking you to find out more and in particular to find out how using a QR code might help to carry my business forward.

The idea that a tenant can "view" a property from the code on a board, web site or ad. is fantastic but I can also see how this code would have many other uses. Thank you for taking the trouble to write this article and I really do wish you luck with your business - landlords who use your agency are very fortunate indeed.

16:21 PM, 25th November 2011, About 12 years ago

For anyone who is looking to read a QR code (for property marketing or any other reason) you'll need a reader. I use Google Goggles which I imagine is available for free from app stores for all mainstream smartphones.

The Pierce & Co guys also have some other ones linked on their website here:

When you know about QR codes you'll start noticing them everywhere, quite a lot of buinesses in all sorts of industries are using them now. The other day I was given a business card that was just a code like the ones above!!

Happy scanning all!

Mark Reynolds

16:43 PM, 25th November 2011, About 12 years ago

@Mary - Thank you for the kind comments - You are more than welcome to stalk me in the new year and I will be more than happy to assist you where I can - It seems I have got the message across in that we are a forward thinking agency making every effort to make the process as easy and as smooth as possible for both tenants and landlords

@Nigel - Thanks for the suggestion - I have never used goggles but I'll be sure to check it out 🙂

Ian Ringrose

17:30 PM, 25th November 2011, About 12 years ago

Don’t oversell QR codes; they are after all just a way to display a webpage on smart phone without user having to take in the URL (e.g. http://www.property118.com/index.php/2365332).

They are no better than the web page they point to, but they do save having to type a long URL in and I think people are more likely to look at your page if you make it easy. But do provide a URL as well, as not everyone has smart phones!

Why don’t all estate agents include the URL and QR code of a direct link to the properties details on all “For Rent” boards?
As to avoiding wasted viewings, given that most “for rent” listings still don’t even have floor plans; I don’t think the agents care.

Mary Latham

23:32 PM, 25th November 2011, About 12 years ago

Now there is an idea. I would be sooooooo 21st century if I had a business card like that!
Mark R can you help me to do that?

Mary Latham

23:33 PM, 25th November 2011, About 12 years ago

Quickly before Mark A does it first please

Mark Reynolds

9:19 AM, 26th November 2011, About 12 years ago

Yep no problem - Let me have the contact details you want included and I'll get one across to you today 🙂

Regards

Mark

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

9:25 AM, 26th November 2011, About 12 years ago

Oh the lengths some people go to to impress the ladies 😉 LOL Seriously though, well done Mark, you have a thumbs up from me.

Mark Reynolds

9:32 AM, 26th November 2011, About 12 years ago

Thanks Mark - I do try 😉

Mary Latham

13:02 PM, 26th November 2011, About 12 years ago

On you marks Mark!

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