There's been a buzz about QR (Quick Response) Codes recently. I don’t get all that overheated about technology per se, but when something neat comes along that might be useful to small businesses (my clients) I like to investigate.
My first thought was that a QR Code is just like a barcode - big deal. And QR Codes aren't even new. But there is a significant difference - QR Codes can be read and created by anyone with a compatible phone, for free.
So, if enough of your audience/customer base are likely to be people with smartphones, then QR Codes could help you get key information to people on the move.
How often have you seen something in the paper, on a leaflet or poster, and there's been a phone number or web address to contact? How often do you search for a pen to write it down, or stand and type it into your phone, or try to memorise it… or just do nothing?
Wouldn’t it be easier to point your phone at an image and immediately go to the website or have the phone number on your screen? That's what QR Codes can do.
Basically, a QR Code is a shortcut to some information you want to put out - perhaps a web address, contact details, a special offer, further information… there is a limit to how much data a QR Code can contain, we're not talking a micro-chip here. But the key to its beauty is in the title - it's quick, and it's a means of getting a response right there and then at the moment your message is seen.
To read a QR Code you need a compatible phone and code reader software. I have an iPhone so I downloaded NeoReader (free from the App Store). For other phones check with the manufacturer. Nokia has a useful list here of compatible models and code readers
Step 1 - Visit one of the code reader sites in order to create your own code - I did mine at i-nigma.com
Step 2 - save your QR Code
Step 3 - insert onto posters, flyers, business cards (be aware though that the optimum size for the QR Code is 2cm x 2cm), product labels….see this article from econsultancy on uses of QR Codes…
Step 4 - track the response rate with Google Analytics, or if you want to take it to the next stage there are mobile marketing companies who will manage whole campaigns for you.
I don't know whether QR codes (or something like them) will become more commonplace, but I do know that more and more of us are using smartphones and very soon mobile devices will overtake desktop computers as the primary method of accessing the internet. That has big implications for how promotional messages are sent and received.
