QR Codes

What is a QR CODE?

Although initially used for tracking parts in vehicle manufacturing, QR codes are now used in a much broader context, including both commercial tracking applications and convenience-oriented applications aimed at mobile phone users (known as mobile tagging). QR codes can be used to display text to the user, to add a vCard contact to the user’s device, to open a URI or to compose an email or text message. Users can also generate and print their own QR codes for others to scan and use by visiting one of several free QR code generating sites. Frank C. Hudetz, a US Marketing Services Professional, claims to have invented the idea of mapping bar codes to a URL.^[2][3]

QR codes storing addresses and URLs may appear in magazines, on signs, buses, business cards, or on just about any object about which users might need information. Users with a camera phone equipped with the correct reader application can scan the image of the QR Code to display text, contact information, connect to a wireless network, or open a web page in the phone’s browser. This act of linking from physical world objects is known as a hardlink or physical world hyperlinks.

Google’s mobile Android operating system supports QR codes by natively including the barcode scanner (ZXing) on some models, and the browser supports URI redirection, which allows QR Codes to send metadata to existing applications on the device. Nokia’s Symbian operating system is also provided with a barcode scanner, which is able to read QR codes,^[4] while mbarcode ^[5] is a QR code reader for the Maemo operating system. In the Apple iOS, a QR code reader is not natively included, but over 50 free Apps are available with reader and metadata browser URI redirection capability.

How Can We Use QR Codes?

Innovation is the key to a successful marketing campaign. When you are utilizing the latest developments in technology to promote your business, you can expect to generate a lot of excitement about your products or services with your clients. When you find “out-of-the-box” ways to engage your potential prospects, they are going to be more inclined to respond to your marketing efforts in a positive way, because they will be impressed with your ability to go above and beyond to connect with them. If you want your business to continually increase its client base, adapting new strategies to market your branding efforts is an absolute necessity. You need to make sure that your marketing tactics are staying ahead of the curve, so that you are constantly proving to your potential customer the value of your business if you want your company to meet its highest sales expectations.

The best way to keep your business in the forefront of your industry for sales is to give your potential customers easy accessibility to information about your products and services. That is why advertising with QR codes has become such a favored method of connecting consumers with the information they are looking for. QR codes can be used on virtually every type of marketing action and they can retrieve a variety of different results. They can lead users to your website through linking and they can provide users with specialized information about certain products.

The concept behind QR codes is simple. All you have to do is include a specialized bar code that will have a link encrypted in it. These bar codes can be included in the design of your print marketing tactics, they can be printed on the packaging of your products or they can even be scattered throughout your business’ physical locations. You can put them wherever your potential customers will see your advertising efforts.

When a potential prospect who has downloaded a QR code reader application to their mobile internet device (note: device must have a camera), and they scan over your QR code, they can be instantly directed to your website, via a link that is encrypted in it. If you want to get really specific, you can even include a link that will take your potential customers to specific pages of your site. This is the perfect move for businesses that are marketing specific products with specific methods. Let’s say for example you released a print marketing strategy that was targeted to sell your newest product. You could include a QR code on your ad that will either provide consumers with more information about the new product when they scan the QR code or you can have it take them directly to a section of your site where they can order the new product. The idea is that you are directing them to a place that will increase conversions for your site, so that you can make your business more profitable.

Creating a QR code for your advertising campaign is pretty simple. There are plenty of websites available that will allow you to turn your contact information and links into a fully functional QR code and best of all, they do it absolutely free. You can implement this highly developed technology into your standard marketing practices, draw in a larger market share, increase your potential sales through your website and give your prospects an easier and more enjoyable sales experience and it won’t cost you a penny.

Want to see this type of technology in action? Download any QR code reader to your phone (most of them are free) and scan the image in the top right corner of this blog post. This will link you to the contact page of our website. If you would like more information on how Prager Microsystems can help you implement QR code marketing tactics into your marketing strategy, complete our contact form and speak to one of our helpful representatives. We can help you fine tune your online marketing strategy so that your business can reach its fullest potential.