What's a QR Code?
QR stands for Speedy Response, fundamentally a new form of barcode that is definitely scanned by your camera software installed on your smart phone. You will discover a number of effortless techniques QR Codes can embed details which, as soon as scanned, will display and store on your phone instantly. Building your own QR Codes is free and truly simple for most people using a smart phone. Just Google the information, it's all on the market and effortless to discover. Get a lot more information about qr code
Invented in the 1990s by Denson-Wave in Japan, QR codes have taken off in the Far East, however the benefits are making a slower effect within the USA & Europe. However, when again the US is forging ahead of Europe in its take up of Rapid Response technology. Many large companies inside the US are using the benefits of QR technology to add value to their business, and it is only time before the smaller business community recognise the benefits of the Speedy Response code as a business application that can enhance sales, with the bonus of print and marketing costs kept to a minimum.
The smart phone has seen a recent massive surge in popularity and now most people have the data and the technology to scan a Rapid Response code. The smart phone owner simply needs to visit their online apps retailer to download the QR scanning software, which then enables them to instantaneously get scanning. The uses of this scanning technology are endless, and we're starting to see Swift Response codes in print on aircraft liveries, huge billboards, magazine covers in fact, anywhere someone can point a phone to scan something, a QR code will probably soon appear. As people begin to recognise the QR symbol with its rise in popularity, many additional will let curiosity take the better of them and start scanning especially as it's cost free.
Some uses of the QR technology
A simple application would be to have a QR code that's hyperlinked to a page on a website. This saves people having to locate the page using regular methods online. The QR code could be used to highlight a specific offer on the seller's website and entice the reader to visit the online retailer. I would predict that getting the end user to scan your Quick Response code is going to be a tough challenge unless you put some serious thought into how you instantly get people to scan for your information and facts. Manufacturers and resellers are going to locate the technology useful for such things as adding extra product data to packaging and I'm sure a number of other uses.
A QR code that links to a YouTube video, that might be featuring product information, or maybe a 'how to' etc., would be extremely helpful to the seller and would be a creative use of the technology, even additional so as QR codes are free to generate. Printed matter such as business cards, product brochures, letterheads, labels, envelopes - can all enjoy the benefits from QR codes technology with links back to the sender's website.
You can even get a QR code to instantaneously dial a telephone number on your behalf, I haven't seen this myself but have read about it on a marketing website. I suppose it really is all well and good if you're a business owner taking advantage of Swift Response technology, but what about the average guy in the street, how will it help him? Well one way would be to offer Joe Bloggs a freebie of some sort, a promotional voucher perhaps that can be used to save money. As the QR scanned promotional voucher is downloaded to the phone, then it really is easily retrieved when the need to 'cash in' arises and the user then just follows the link to the online website.
With the rising popularity of Quick Response codes another area I can see strides being taken towards implementing QR technology is on social bookmarking sites such as Facebook, et al. Gone are the days when your barcode has to be printed in black ink. QR codes can be printed, or simply viewed on a website, in a variety of colours however, care needs to be taken as certain colours don't scan well so the user should check out the facts first, with maybe a phone call to your print shop to instantaneously obtain out how your code will be printed.
It would be no surprise to see Google involve itself with Speedy Response codes and there has been talk of Google exploring payment gateways using the QR technology, so I'm sure you will find many people waiting to see what transpires with the online discussions.
QR technology - costs little to implement
I think when the marketing community latch on to how straightforward sales can be created with the number of uses available for Rapid Response codes, then it is only a matter of time before we come across the QR code become as familiar as the humble barcode. The average business likes to stay in tune with technological advances, so I'm sure Fast Response codes are going to make much more of an impact some time soon.
Another huge benefit, often overlooked when considering the use of QR codes in your marketing, is the fact that from a print point of view, there should be no extra costs involved with having your free QR Codes printed, as it really is basically just a 1 colour logo which adding to artwork is very quick. If your local print shop wants to charge you for adding the code to your stationery, then consider taking your business elsewhere.
