WHAT IS IT?
QR Codes are two-dimensional bar codes that contain a great deal of information - from alphanumeric text, URLS, direct links to a phone number, or can open up your email program.
Decoding software (such as ScanLife) on camera phones can interpret these codes.
These codes can be found on product labels, billboards, buildings, or advertisements. They invite those who see them to pull out their phone to find and uncover the ‘encoded information’.
Small in size, the code pattern can be hidden or place into an esthetically attractive image.
WHO IS USING IT?
While QR Codes started out popular in Japan, their popularity is gaining increased momentum in Europe, the US an Canada as people increase their use of cell phones on 3G networks (ie. Blackberry Torch or iPhone). Large campaigns by the beer store, or the Liqueur Control Board of Ontario are the latest widespread uses. But small company’s are also using them to attract new customers.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Data is put into the QR code by any QR generator. The generator creates the code that can be displayed electronically or in print.
Decoding the information can be done with any mobile camera phone that has a QR reader and is freely available on most devices. Once the software is downloaded, a user can point the camera on the phone toward the code and scan it. The software then does the interpreting work, and will then open the appropriate program (either the phone application, the email program, the text viewer or the web browser).
WHY SHOULD I CARE?
While linking data to space is not new, QR codes make it easy. Simple in creation and simple in decoding - the mobility of these codes link information much easier.
QR codes can allow users to access advertising initiatives and information in their ‘own domain’ (on their phone) or in places they weren’t before. For instance, not many people were browsing the LCBO website while in the LCBO before, but now with the codes for drink recipes, people are consuming the information - and possibly purchasing more than they would have planned.
What are The Downsides?
Not everyone knows what a QR Code is yet. Therefore, not everyone who sees one will know to pull out a cell phone and take a picture.
Not everyone has a camera phone, and because the software isn’t included in the phone, a program must still be downloaded and tested.
Therefore, without some support and marketing to prepare users for it, the use may be lost on a lot of potential users. However, the limitations of it in some way make the users who can use it, feel like they are doing something ‘exclusive’.
HOW WILL GOOGLE SEE THEM?
If you add them to your website, the search engines will see that your pages have changed, and that you are updating pages. The search engine will see a new image and index it accordingly. At some point soon, the search engines will likely recognize QR codes and possibly index the content in them.
WILL YOUR CUSTOMER’S USE THEM?
Today, few may use them, but those that do will certainly appreciate your tech knowledge, and those that don’t will certainly be inquisitive, which may open the door for conversation and a potential sale. Those that do use QR codes will definitely have a high tech know-how and may be more receptive to your presence on the web, your Twitter presence, Facebook, MySpace, YouTube etc.
HOW COULD YOU USE THEM?
Your business, no matter how small or large, could use QR codes in a number of ways. You might auto generate one next to every product on your web site containing all the product details, the number to call and the URL link to the page so they can show their friends on their cell phone. You could add one to your business card containing your contact details so its easy for someone to add you to their contacts on their cell phone.
Add them to any print advertising, flyers, posters, invites, TV ads etc containing:
- Product details
- Contact details
- Direct Phone Call from them to you
- Direct email from them to you
- Submitting forms and surveys
- Offer details
- Event details
- Competition details
- A coupon
- Twitter, Facebook, MySpace IDs
- A link to your YouTube video
IS IT WORTH THE TIME OR IS IT JUST A FAD?
Maybe the codes are just a fad - but as they are free to generate and they aren’t much of a burden in terms of effort or work. As it is not likely that cell phone technology is going anywhere, even if QR codes become obsolete, the content they linked to will still be relevant. In other words, it may not last long, but it definitely is a sound investment.
