QR Codes (Quick Response Codes) are the connection between online and offline marketing. With the advancement and acceleration of smart phones, consumers have the ability to scan and interpret this barcode with their mobile phone. Originally created by a subsidiary of Toyota, Denso-Wave, the QR Code technology has been around for over a decade.
Versatility is QR Code’s middle name.
The amount of data that a QR Code can hold is approximately 7089 Numeric characters or 4296 Alphanumeric characters as stated on Wikipedia.
This allows for the encoding of URLs, phone numbers, full contact information, SMS messages, links to launch YouTube videos, display static text… to name a few options offered by this revolutionary technology.
How Can Advertisers Use QR CODES in Printed Materials?
Believe it or not, your entire marketing piece can be designed around a QR code.
Want to inform your customers of a GRAND OPENING? Create a Google Places Page which provides you with a pre-made QR Code that contains a link to your Google Places Page, Your customers can scan the code and visit your Google Places Page on their mobile phone. Once there, your customer will find all there is to know about your business and directions to your location. Scan the QR Code above and see for yourself!
Do you have a product demonstration video? Include a QR Code in your postcard, brochure or even next to the product in your catalog that will direct the customer to view a product demonstration video on their mobile device. This also gives you the chance to direct the customer to a landing page on your website before or after the video is viewed, reinforcing the sale.
Want to make it easier for that potential customer to retain your contact information? Generate a QR Code that contains all of your contact information and include it on your business card. When a customer scans your QR Code with their mobile device, depending on the QR Code Reader they are using (see “QR Code Readers” below), your contact information will be displayed and saved to the “contacts” or phone book of the mobile device.
Depending on your product or service, QR Codes can serve a variety of customizable uses in your marketing scheme.
Where can Custom QR Codes be Generated?
We must be thankful (to Denso-Wave) for the use of QR Codes being free of any license. This has given developers the ability to create online QR Code generators…FREE TO USE! Of course you will find some out there that want to charge to use their generator or allow for Non-Commercial use only, but here is a list I compiled to help you get started generating QR Codes and better yet… more sales conversions!
beQRious – Extensive Options – Featured: QR Code with Embedded Image
ZXing Project – Extensive Options – Featured: Wi-fi Login Information
QRStuff – Extensive Options – Featured: Google Maps Directions
Here is another free qr code generator http://www.quikqr.com
Ben, thank you for sharing!
There are 4 members in the QR Code family: QR Code Model 1, QR Code Model 2, QR Code 2005 and Micro QR Code.