What is a Quick Response barcode?
It is a two dimensional matrix barcode that can store up to 7,089 characters of information. It acts as a physical hyperlink; it links offline content to online content, and print marketing to mobile marketing. QR codes can be placed on a business card, a catalog, direct mail, product labels and promotional items to link the marketing piece to the internet.
How can QR barcodes be used in marketing?
- Capturing responses on a direct mail campaign: A common use case of QR codes in marketing campaigns is storing a URL in a QR code and printing it on a direct mail piece as a response mechanism. When the recipients scan the barcode with the application on their mobile, they’ll connect to a landing page where they can find more information about the product or service being marketed, respond to the message, or simply sign up to receive the offer.
- QR codes on a product catalog or corporate brochure: Print brochures and catalogs with a QR code that links visitors to a web page containing product demonstrations, video testimonials, FAQs and more. You can engage customers and prospects at another level.
- QR codes on press ads: Not everyone is at their desk, or in front of a computer when reading a magazine or newspaper, but by placing a QR code on your press ad, readers can simply take a picture or scan the barcode to receive more information, a special offer or a coupon.
- QR codes on promotional items: Place a QR code on giveaways such as T-shirts and coffee mugs and bring them to life.
- QR codes on business cards: Place a QR code on your business card. Recipients can scan the code and automatically add you to their contact list on their smart phone.
Why are QR barcodes important?
Mobile marketing is quickly becoming an essential ingredient for success in marketing campaigns. According to the international association for the wireless telecommunications industry, CTIA, wireless penetration in the US is more than 90% of population. In addition, Smartphone market share in the US jumped from 7% in 2007 to 17% in 2009 and is expected to grow rapidly in 2010 and beyond.
With mobile marketing and Smartphone usage on the rise, using QR codes on printed material can help companies generate additional revenue and increase response rates to their marketing campaigns.
How do QR codes work?
- Smartphone owner’s download & install a QR barcode reader application on their phone.
- They open the application on their phone and scan the barcode.
- The application decodes the barcode and takes them to the website, white paper, coupon, testimonial, etc., adds the contact record to the phone’s Address Book or displays the text.
Where can you download a barcode reader application?
There are many QR barcode reader applications that are available for Smartphones. Some of them are free and some of them are not. In addition, the application developers submit frequent updates to them which changes and often improves the application’s functionality.
The three free applications that we install and use frequently can be found by visiting www.i-nigma.mobi or www.2dscan.com or http://get.beetagg.com from the browser on your Smartphone.
To test, please download & install one of the QR barcode reader applications, then scan the QR code above.
To request more information & see more examples of QR barcodes, please visit http://thinkstpress.com/qr.
Updated 11/29/2010