QR Codes
Quite useful little things these QR codes (or 2D barcodes)! Scan them on your smart phone using an app such as RedLaser and they can take you to a specific webpage without needing to write the whole web address down - the one below takes you to my home page - give it a try!
QR codes work well on printed literature where you might not have space for a long web address, and they catch the eye of the reader.
How to Grow Your Business with QR Codes
I’m going to tell you about QR Codes (also known as 2D Barcodes) & Microsoft Tags, and show you how these strange symbols can help you to grow your business.
Assuming you have an internet connected camera phone and you have downloaded one of the free scanning Apps, you just pick up your phone, use the scanner and instantly see the information you’re after.
There are lots of free scanning Apps on the market for all smartphones: I-nigma, Barcode Scanner, Microsoft Tag or Red Laser are the most popular.
QR stand for Quick Response. In today’s marketplace, consumers want immediate access to what’s relevant to them and QR Codes make that possible.
Scanning a QR code can:
- Open a website, for example, giving your customers additional information about a product or service
- Instruct your phone to call a number, send a text message or an email
- Give your customers access to a special offer or voucher
- Show you a Social Media Profile
So how can they help you to grow your business?
- Well firstly, for small businesses, a QR code promotion is an inexpensive, simple and easy to measure marketing tool.
- Secondly, you can use them to share information. There’s no limit to how much you can share with QR Codes. While a video or web page is easily shared, you could go further and share an entire eBook.
- Most importantly, QR Codes are great for getting your customers and potential customers to take immediate action.
And it’s really simple to create and use a QR code, but if you want a bit of assistance, I can help you; from adding a QR code to your leaflets or postcards; to designing the web page or voucher the QR code links too.
So where can you use QR Codes?
There are lots of practical ways QR Codes can be used. They can be printed onto:
- Exhibition panels, banners and posters
- Adverts
- Stationery, Brochures, Flyers & other literature
- Product Tags and Packaging
- They’re even being used on TV adverts, however they don’t work so well on radio ads!
Real life examples of how QR Codes are being used include:
- A local business displays a Microsoft Tag on an advert with a link to customer reviews.
- A retail store displays a QR Code next to a product so you can view product demonstration videos.
- A restaurant puts a QR Code on a takeout menu, linking to their website for online reservations, orders, offers and directions.
- An exhibitor has a Tag on their display stand, so that attendees can conveniently scan and save the exhibitor’s information as they pass by.
As well as interactivity, what are the other advantages of using QR Codes?
- Convenience – One click and your potential clients have access to your information. There’s no need to type in, or remember a long web address.
- Environmentally-Friendly – QR Codes can save space and make more efficient use of printed materials.
- Versatility – QR Codes can be used on a wide range of marketing materials for just about any purpose. As a designer I can make them either eye-catching or discreet so that they suit your printed materials.
- Measurable - Actions triggered via QR Codes can be tracked with web analytics or other tools, so you can measure the success of your campaign.
- Simplicity – QR Codes are simple to produce and I can help you integrate them into your marketing materials for best effect.
- Competitive Differentiation – Because QR Codes are still relatively new in the UK there is still a novelty value and those who are among the first to employ them in their marketing campaigns will set themselves apart.
To summarise, you can think of a QR Code as a paper-based weblink that connects the physical world with the online world. QR Codes allow your advertisements, brochures, posters or even clothing, to direct users effortlessly to a call-to-action that contains much more information and interactivity than would fit on the printed page.
And by making it almost effortless for your customers to interact with you, you can increase the response to your marketing campaigns.
Just about any type of business can use QR Codes in their marketing materials. Even if you don’t own a Smartphone yourself, a portion of your target audiences probably do, so these Codes can be a great way to differentiate yourself and reach people in new ways.
Remember, every QR code or Tag is an invitation to try, discover, share, learn, save and do more.
If you want to find out more about QR Codes or how I can help you integrate them into your print and web promotions, please contact me about QR codes!