QR Codes a Key Ingredient for Marketing Success

Use a free QR code or bar code reader to See the message on this QR

Earlier this year I talked about the benefits of developing a Mobile Marketing plan. If you’re still on the fence about mobile marketing then here’s a product that may provide you with that key ingredient you need to execute a successful mobile marketing plan.

QR (Quick Response) codes are a special two dimensional bar code similar to standard bar codes found on the side of everyday products with a difference in the size and shape. The size and shape of QR codes allow them to be scanned by smartphones to deliver a lot more data than the standard barcode.  QR codes have been around since 1994 and are now starting to find marketing success in the U.S.

How do they work?

QR codes  are used to transfer information through barcode readers that can be found on most mobile devices. Anyone with a camera phone (some may require a bar-code reader) can scan a QR code and one of several things will happen:

1. Your smartphone will redirect to the website listed in the QR code.

2. You will be sent a coupon or discount from the QR code owner

.3. The business’s contact information will be instantly stored on your phone.

4. There are several other options of what can happen once you scan the code – the choice is yours.

Actual capacity of the data stored on a QR code depends on the content type … they can incorporate numerical, alphanumerical, binary, or even Kanji/Kana Japanese letters as data. There are also 4 error correction levels (redundancy backup) and 40 symbol version settings which reduce the maximum capacity of final content. Typical usage is 300 characters or less.

QR codes provide mobile phone owners a faster way to get information and that is why they are becoming more popular with consumers. For marketers QR codes provide an excellent way to track the effectiveness of their mobile marketing campaigns. There are some successful campaigns that had engagement rates of up to 60%, which far exceeds normal direct-mail response rates.

If a consumer sees a special offer on a product label, they can immediately scan the QR code and be directed to the website for more information or have access to the the special promotion on their cell phone.

One of the most attractive features of QR codes, from a business standpoint, is that you can change the content delivered via your QR code pretty much on the fly. Today, you may want to offer a 20% off coupon to all consumers who scan your QR code. Tomorrow, you may want the code to provide consumers with a quick tutorial on how to use your product.

Why Implement Mobile Marketing?

Mobile marketing is now, it’s not a fad or a phase. The latest Pew Smartphone Adoption and Usage July 2011 reports that one third of American adults – 35% – own smartphones.  Some 87% of smartphone owners access the internet or email on their handheld, including two-thirds (68%) who do so on a typical day. We have additional stats on the current state of Mobile Marketing HERE.

So as you can see, QR codes provide a lot of options for businesses and almost any business can find a way to take advantage of them. Whether you are promoting a product or a special service, incorporating an interactive QR code will give you a new way to get the attention of your target audience.

Although these funny looking little codes may not seem like a lot, they may be the key ingredient to growing your business and increasing profits.

Here are a few sites that let you build the image code online and then download it.

• qrcode.kaywa.com (URL, text, phone #, or SMS; also size options)
• qrstuff.com (numerous data types; also color options)
• goqr.me (URL, text, phone #, or vCard; also variable size options)
• keremerkan.net (URL only; also color and transparency options)
• gaigalas.net (URL only; uses Google API)
• Mobile Barcoder (Firefox Plugin)
• QR Code Tag Extension (Firefox Plugin)

Here are a few sites that let you download a QR Code reader for your mobile device. Its best to use your mobile phone to go to these websites.

1. i-nigma.mobi
2. kaywa.com
3. neoreader.com