What are the square barcode things?

Posted on December 8, 2011 at 7:57 pm by Blade Mages No Comment

You’ve undoubtedly seen these things around town, in magazine ads and newspapers, on TV ads and in other places – - but perhaps you haven’t quite figured out what they are.

QR codes. Simply put – they are bar-codes on steroids.

QR codes were originally used to track automotive parts. With these quick-response (QR) codes, vehicle manufacturers could have better oversight of the storage, retrieval, and inventory of the parts they were installing in vehicles.

Today, QR codes seem to be everywhere!

Most commonly, QR codes are used to send data in the form of a URL to a users smart-phone. Simple uses include advertisements that link to websites.

How can you use a QR code?

To use a QR code, you must have a smartphone with internet capability and a camera. Most Andriod and Blackberry devices can read QR codes without any help from a 3rd party application. The iPhone requires an app to make QR code scanning possible. There are a number of free apps (for all devices) that turn your cell phone into a QR code readin’ machine.

How can you use QR codes to promote your business?

Business Cards

A great way to use QR codes for your business is to place them on your business cards. Have them point to your website, Facebook page, or Google Maps directions!

Marketing Materials

Think of all the print materials you have for your business… Brochures, handouts, whitepapers, fliers… the list goes on. Why not add QR codes to direct customers to a video about a specif product or service, send them to a Facebook photo album, or send them to a mobile-friendly version of your website.

Storefront Windows

Encourage your customers to “check-in” to your business on Facebook with a QR code. This not only increases your customer’s loyalty to your brand but promotes your brand within that customer’s circle of friends.

Create your own QR code!

Creating a QR code of your own is super-easy and super-free thanks to some very handy websites. Kaywa is one of our favorites for creating QR codes. Simply enter the URL you wish to link to and click generate!

 

We understand the many hats that you as a business owner must wear. Sure, you would like to be trying new marketing ideas like those outlined above, but you just don’t know how or don’t have the time. Why not give us a try?