You’ve probably seen a QR Code before but never took notice of those innocuous square barcodes that appear on everything from product packaging to movie cutouts. While QR Codes are close cousins to traditional barcodes, they are far more versatile to marketers. While you may already know what QR codes are, you may not have realized some of the fascinating ways they can be used.
A QR (Quick Response) Code is a square, matrix barcode that can be read by QR Reader applications on any smartphone. These barcodes can be used to store data and access features on your mobile device such as a Web Browser, Phone, GPS, even individual apps.
How can a QR code be used as a tactic within a successful campaign? While the answer is always, “That depends on your business and marketing goals”, let’s explore some concepts and ideas that could be applied to many types of campaigns.
As always in digital media, the critical side of the equation is the delivery. Applications or pages that users link to must provide some unique value or service. Even more critical, the app or page should be relevant to the user’s
needs at the time and place where they scan your QR code. And, in all cases, pages must be optimized for mobile viewing. Nothing is more frustrating than going through the effort to scan a QR code to find a page that doesn’t work
on your phone.
Keeping those guidelines in mind, here are your ways you can apply QR codes for your business:
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When a QR Code lives on: |
You could offer:
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Print Advertising |
Mobile couponing for bricks and mortar, sign up for SMS messaging, special offers, links to mobile commerce, scan to call. |
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Retail Receipts, Branded Materials |
Mobile customer feedback forms, mobile coupons, promo codes for next visit, scan to call, scan for a survey
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Ability to move from the desktop to the mobile environment, i.e. link users phones directly to the app store to download your new iPhone app.
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Outdoor and Transit Advertising
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GPS directions to nearest location, geolocated couponing, even scavenger hunts (scan all the codes and get clues where to find the next one). |
Point of Purchase Displays Product information, nutritional information, check-in and share via social media, link to product information and promotional videos.
Tradeshow Booths Links to Whitepapers, Vcards for contact info, RSVP for events/breakout sessions, coupons for free drinks at sponsored Happy Hours!
Retail/Garment Tags Product information or specs, product videos, etc.
The possible combinations of QR code location and associated applications are limitless, and we’d like to hear your ideas as well. QR Codes are another great example of the intersection of Marketing and Technology. Trellist has the creative ideas, marketing savvy and technical horsepower to help you deliver on concepts like these.