QR Codes
A QR Code (it stands for “Quick Response”) is a mobile phone readable barcode that’s been big in Japan forever, broke into Europe a while back, and is now getting traction in USA.
In its simplest sense think “print based hypertext link” – simply encode a URL into the QR Code and then point a mobile phone (or other camera-enabled mobile) at it. If the device has had QR Code decoding software installed on it, it will fire up its browser and go straight to that URL.
But it doesn’t stop there – a QR Code can also contain a phone number, an SMS message, email address, contact details (VCARD), Envent (VCALENDAR), Google Maps Location, Paypal Buy Now Link, Social Media, or a YouTube Video.
It’s important to know that if you link your QR code to a web page, it MUST be a mobile web page so that the viewer can easily read the page without enlarging and scrolling around the page.
We feel that linking to a video has the most marketing impact. If you don’t already have a video, let us develop and produce one for you. The ROI will be fantastic.
We can print static QR codes or variable codes (much like a personalized URL). With variable codes (each postcard, flyer, etc. has a slightly different code but still points everyone to the same place) the response to the code can be tracked and analyzed.
A picture is worth a thousand words so here are some videos I found that explain QR codes.
For information about how to integrate QR Codes into your marketing collateral, check out the following articles:
US Postal Service Encourages Customers to Use QR Codes
10 Important Things to Know Before You Use a QR Code
Barcode Technology and Microsoft Tags
