QR Codes – What Are They And Why Are They Cool?

If I were to ask you if you knew what a QR Code is would you know?

How about a 2-D Bar Code?

How about a Tag?

Would you know either one if you saw it?

To the left is a QR (Quick Response) Code and to the right Microsoft Tag. Both are 2-D bar codes which allow an end-user to quickly scan the code and be presented with information. This could be a URL, an SMS number, a Phone Number, Text, or utilized to share contact information. Because they are 2-D, these bar codes can hold quite a bit of information and the possibilities for marketing are endless.

The use of these bar codes is quite common overseas and is moving toward the mainstream here in the US. The majority of popular phones now have software to support reading and using 2-D bar codes. If you happen to be an iPhone user like I am, I’d recommend QuickMark as it offers automatic scanning which is a great feature!

Want to try out making your own QR Codes? Check out Kaywa.

Now how about the marketing possibilities I mentioned?

- Scan a QR Code on a product you see in a store and be brought to a special micro-site. Maybe even get a coupon.

- Scan a QR Code on a product and be connected to a special call center on the first ring with real product experts.

- Generate QR Codes via an API and place them variably on a direct mail piece and embed the end user’s Personalized PURL into the code.

There are more, and what is most exciting to me is that I am having more and more discussions with our clients about this technology.