QR Codes For Small Business

What is a QR code?

A QR Code (it stands for "Quick Response") is a cell phone readable bar code that can store website URL's, plain text, phone numbers, email addresses and pretty much any other alphanumeric data.

Storing up to 4296 characters they are internationally standardized under ISO 18004, so a QR code is a QR code all over the world. They've been big in Japan forever, broke into Europe and the UK a few years back, and are now getting real traction in USA.

Think "print-based hypertext links" and you'll get the idea.

Types of QR Codes

There are many types of QR codes. Nowadays you can have a QR code developed to do almost anything. Here is the list of actions you can perform with a QR Code:

  • Website URL Directions
  • YouTube Video Playing
  • Google Maps Location
  • Twitter Follow Sign Up
  • Facebook Likes
  • LinkedIn Join
  • FourSquare
  • App Store Download
  • iTunes Link
  • Dropbox
  • Plain Text (General Information)
  • Telephone Number
  • Skype Call
  • SMS Message
  • Email Address
  • Email Message
  • Contact Details
  • Digital Business Card
  • Event (VCALENDAR)
  • Wifi Login (Android Only)
  • Paypal Buy Now Link

The most common QR code used today is the QR code that directs the mobile user to a website. It is highly recommended if you use a QR code - Website URL, if the site is either mobile or responsive, in order to ensure an optimal browsing experience for the mobile user. In addition, the mobile user typically only scans QR codes to perform a specific task on your website. Here are some examples:

  • Subscribe to newsletter
  • Buy a product
  • Learn more about a product or service
  • Obtain contact information
  • Submit contact information or inquiry
  • Join a group or membership
  • Register a product
  • Enter a contest
  • Obtain discount codes

What you need to know about QR Codes

It is important to know what you want to accomplish ahead of time before deploying QR codes into your printed materials. Many QR codes don't get scanned because most people fail to inform the mobile end user of the desired action or result. Your printed material must provide clear insight into the final result of the scan. Doing so will increase your scan conversions.

Tossing a QR code on a printed piece of material is only half the battle. Knowing who scanned the code, when and if they performed the desired action is something you must know. To obtain such information you must build a QR code that provides tracking codes. QR code tracking is almost always done using commercial services. Commercial based services that provide QR codes enable you to design QR codes using shortened links. These short links first capture the tracking information before directing the mobile end user to their final destination. Knowing the analytics behind your QR codes helps business owners and their marketing teams optimize future campaigns.

What's Next For QR Codes?

Get help. Brainstorm the possibilities with your sales team, marketing professionals, and web developers. When you use QR codes properly, the results are phenomenal. Talk with us about how to incorporate QR codes into your next print campaign.