What are QR codes?
The role of QR codes for business owners: what they are and how to use them.
QR stands for Quick Response
Imagine placing a QR code on your product packaging or flier and once the customer scans the QR code with a mobile device, the code can link to anything from videos that explain how to use the product to your company’s promotional website.
Rapid, convenient, and simple
In practical terms, QR codes provide rapid and convenient communication of a variety of digital information with something as common and simple to use as a mobile phone with a camera and QR reader software (either installed or available free as an app). QR codes can be printed on paper, made available in emails and web pages, be seen on billboards, and even made into tattoos!
Details at Wikipedia
Wikipedia provides an excellent summary of QR code benefits and applications. According to Wikipedia, “Media where QR codes have been deployed include: guerrilla marketing campaigns, in-store displays, event ticketing and tracking, trade-show management, business cards, print ads, contests, direct mail campaigns, websites, email marketing, and couponing. QR codes are of particular interest to marketers, giving them the ability to measure response rates with a high degree of precision allowing for easier ROI (return on investment) calculation."
See also Heidi Cohen's post 7 Reasons to Add QR Codes to Content Marketing. It is important to note that the use of codes is still quite small and that viewing instructions may also be required for the first time user.
Mobile Marketing
QR Codes are part of the bigger picture of mobile marketing. To learn more, go to 10 Ways to Leverage Mobile Technology for Marketing written by Joe Marcallini at SteadyRain and posted on the Hubspot Blog by Kipp Bodnar.
HOW DO YOU PLAN TO USE QR CODES? Please share your ideas and success stories in the comment box, below.
UPDATE JUNE 14, 2011:
See this excellent summary article: Everything A Marketer Should Know QR Codes.
Outrun and outwit your competitors
QR codes and mobile marketing are just two factors in being faster and smarter than your competition. Learn about 10 ways to outrun and outwit your competitors. Download the articles from the link, below.
If your phone is QR ready, scan the code in this blog post. It should take you Wikipedia's featured article of the day. Good luck.
PS I use the "Scan" app on my iPhone.
Mission: To help small and mid-size businesses sell more.