Website Design, Hosting, Mobile Internet Marketing

About QR Codes

What is a QR Code?

A QR Code, or "Quick Reference Code," is a special kind of bar code uniquely suited to be read by smart phones or other mobile devices. They serve as shortcuts to certain actions. In other words, they make it easy for a smart phone user to access your Website, call a phone number, or take other actions you would like them to perform.

The user needs an "app" specifically designed to read these codes. The app can be downloaded from the phone's app store. Most of these apps are free. I use an app called "Barcode Scanner" for my Android phone.

What Do QR Codes Do?

There are several different actions that can be performed by reading a QR Code from a smartphone. If you have a smart phone with a QR app installed, you can scan the examples on this Web page right from the screen.

Go to URL

The most common type of QR Code contains an imbedded Web address. Scanning the code from a smart phone app will send the phone's Web browser to a URL programmed by the advertiser. The example above will send the phone user to: www.cyberpointmarketing.com/mobile/qrcodes.htm (this page).

For Speed Readers ... If you're inclined to stop reading here, DON'T.  
At least check out how a QR Code makes this magazine ad come alive!

Call a Phone Number

Another very useful QR Code will load a phone number in the user's phone and allow them to place the call by simply confirming the desire to do so. One or two clicks on the phone, and the user is connected to the line the advertiser wants them to call.

This QR Code calls Arizona information: (520) 555-1212 and is provided for illustration purposes only.

Display Text

This type of QR Code will dispay text (250 character limit) on the users phone. If the text includes a web address, it is shown as a clickable link. Just click it to go to a Website. In that sense, it's kind of like a URL-type code, except it displays a short message along with a clickable URL.

When scanned this text-type QR Code reads:

Cyberpoint Marketing - Combining the Power of the Internet with Common Sense Marketing for 16 years. This number is for illustration purposes only: 520-555-1212 http://www.cyberpointmarketing.com/mobile

Send SMS Text Message

A QR Code can be programmed with the advertisers mobile phone number (a phone that can receive SMS text messages). After reading this code, the phones text messaging features will be launched. If preprogrammed with the advertiser's mobile phone, you could allow someone to text you. I find this use of SMS QR Code pretty feeble (Is it just me?). But a possible better use of this type of QR Code is described below (How Can YOU Use QR Codes).

The above barcode is for illustration purposes only and does not provide a working number to receive text messages.

How Can YOU Use QR Codes?

A discussion on how to apply QR Code technology could probably go on indefinitely. I'll limit myself to a few that apply to marketing and advertising, just to get your juices stirring.

Print-to-Web Transition - Place QR Codes on your printed material to easily transition users to your mobile-friendly Website*. Place them on:

• Signs
• Brochures
• Mailers
• Postcards
• Even business cards

  Example: Real Estate Agent: Placing QR Codes on real estate "For Sale" signs is a natural application. A prospect that happens to drive by with their smart phone can easily be taken to the agent's mobile-friendly Website* or be connected directly to the agent's telephone. Drillling down even further, flyers on a particular home can include a URL-type QR Code that goes direct to a specific Web page for that specific home, with pictures, descriptions, info on school district, etc.

Provide Expanded Information - Wherever there is limited print space, provide a QR Code to reference additional information.on a Website.

• Signs
• Postcards

* Always direct phone users to a specifically designed mobile-friendly Web page that deals directly with the topic referenced on the printed material. DO NOT send to a Website home page. See Mobile-Friendly Websites for more information.

Turn Ad into High Impact Marketing- Display a QR Code that references a Youtube video or voice-over illustration.

• Real estate signs turn into a video tour
• Billboard turns into a full motion video
• Magazine ads come alive

  Example: Magazine Ad: If this doesn't get your marketing juices flowing, nothing will. There are several steps to experience this paradigm-shifting ad, but it's definitely worth your trouble.

  1. Download the Ad (It's large, 19MB. Go get a cup of coffee).
  2. Print out the full page
  3. Follow the instructions upper-right on the ad. They're kind of hard to read. It says: Scan QR code and place smartphone here.
  4. After scanning the code, place your phone in the outlined area of the ad.

  That's what I call high-impact marketing!

Enhance "Contact" Information - Make it easy for people to call you from smart phones. Place call-type QR codes on:

• Any type of printed material from brochures to billboards
• Sides of delivery vans and other business vehicles
• Website "Contact Us" pages

Product Support Materials - Place QR Code labels on products or product manuals, especially those that may be used or consumed in the field.

• Direct callers to product support telephone lines
• Refer to FAQ Web pages
• Access re-order page

Point of Sale Reference - Place QR Codes at point-of-sale to provide detailed product reference. Place codes on:

• Product shelves
• Product boxes

  Example: Brick-and-Mortar Store: To promote sales of a featured product, put QR Code on a sign at the end of an aisle or stack of product boxes to refer to manufacturer specifications on a Website.

Recommend/Refer Someone via Text Message - Rather than have a text message sent to yourself via an SMS QR Code, program the message and leave the user to add the phone number of a friend.

Example: QR Code in a Magazine Ad: Pre-program the text in the code, "I saw this advertisement on the latest laptop computer and I thought you might want to check it out at www.mycomputerstore.com." Instructions to the user: "Scan this code with your smart phone and enter the phone number of a friend who is looking for a new computer."

And Your Application Is? OK, if this got you thinking on how you can apply this technology, then I have achieved my goal.

Want to bat around some ideas?

Call Me Here
Yes, this really works.

or call (520) 844-8259
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