My Take on QR Codes

I've seen several articles on QR codes and decided to give you my 2 cents worth.  QR stands for Quick Response which is a matrix or 2 dimensional barcode which can hold almost 4,300 alphanumeric characters as well as can embed links to websites, videos, maps, etc.  These got started in Japan by Toyota to help them track parts in manufacturing and their use is much broader there than in the U.S.  To be able to read QR codes you must have a bar code scanner OR mobile phone with camera and reader software which is becoming more available.  So what do they look like?  Below is a QR code I generated that links to my website:

How are they being used today?  The 3 most popular applications appear to be (1) Information targeted at mobile phone users, (2) Business cards, and, (3) As art.  Here are some examples:

• Exercise equipment to show proper use
• University classrooms or office conference rooms to show schedules/availability
• Electronic equipment to show model number, serial number, and a link to user instructions
• Restaurants to feature menus and links to an application that shows waiting time
• Details on small products like wine bottles
• Product details on trade show swag
• Artwork on the side of a building that points to the website or the latest event
• Appearance dates for performers, speakers, etc.
• Paypal payment on a tip jar
• Coupons or daily specials outside a retail location
• On any object to show history (think Antique Roadshow)
• Assembly instructions on each item
• Paypal contribution at a charitable event
• Paypal payment at an auction
• Petition signatures
• Giveaways or discounts on products
• Drive traffic to your social media applications or blog
• Drive traffic to a video
• Incorporate them as art on t-shirts, tote bags, etc.
• Highway billboards for directions
• Marketing materials for links to further information, testimonials, etc.
• A link for up-to-the-minute information
• Trail signs in national parks
• Sticker on fruit and vegatibles for origin and date
• Medicine bottles for interactions, contra-indicators, etc.
• Marketing teaser campaigns
• Name tags at conventions
• Articles and books to add video or footnote type information
• For sale signs for example real estate for details or video inside the home
• Luggage tags
• Hints or easter eggs for games
• Scavenger hunts
• Language translation
• Maps
• Grocery shopping cart for specials
• Taxi stand (to call a taxi)
• On uniforms to be able to provide feedback on good or bad service for that employee

Had enough?  Check out this blog for more examples and related links.  Finally, how about a few pictures:

       

 

Here's a video on how to use your cellphone to read QR codes:

Finally what's the real world opportunity?  If you have any situation where incremental information can help your business PLUS your customers will have cellphones, then that's where you can use this tool.  It's easy to create the codes, they will show you as leading edge, and they can also serve as artwork.  Best of all since this is a relatively new development a small or medium business can beat the big guys if you act quickly.  And if you have a cellphone, start looking for them and just try it...

 

Comments

[Coach Outlet]

Thanks writing! The reason for your article is always to document your lifetime and deliver your own personal thoughts. Some notion tend to be unique with me but really different. What you long for to offer to the modern society, I think I have already been known that. So long as most of us do well and believe that.

[uebernachtung guenstig in bad bibra buchen]

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[Michael]

Thanks for the comment Mike. Keep in mind that the users must have an equipped cellphone. So when you drive traffic to a landing page/website specific to a particular property, make sure those pages(content) are optimized for mobile devices.

[Mike Nastri]

Thanks for the info Michael. I had never heard of QR codes before now.