What is a QR Code?
QR codes come to us from Japan, where they are very common and have been in use for about 10 years. QR is short for Quick Response (they can be read quickly by a cell phone). A QR code is a two dimensional barcode which is similar to a barcode, but the only difference is the amount of data a QR can store. The code consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background. Depending on the amount of information to store on the QR Code, the image will vary and be more condensed if storing a higher amount of information. They are used to take a piece of information from a transitory media and put it in to your cell phone. You may soon see QR Codes in a magazine adverting, on a billboard, a web page or even on someone's t-shirt. Once it is in your cell phone, it may give you details about that business (allowing users to search for nearby locations), or details about the person wearing the t-shirt, show you a URL which you can click to see a trailer for a movie, it may give you a coupon which you can use in a local outlet, or many other options with scanner application.
QR codes are more useful than standard barcodes because they can store (and digitally present) much more data, including URL links, geo coordinates, and text. The other key feature of QR Codes is that instead of requiring a chunky hand-held scanner to scan them, many modern cell phones can scan them.
How do you generate a code?
You can easily generate a QR code using sites like Kaywa.com or you can use the Open Source code to generate codes for you if you have a smart developer on hand. Google also has a tool - see our separate article about that: Close-Up With Google's New QR Code Generator
Will your customers use them?
The predication is that in 2015 all cellphone users will have a smart phone/iPhone. This makes this an ideal for small business to jump into and to start using the technology to for marketing. More and More opportunity, QR Codes are starting to become widely used. Consumers that do use QR codes have high tech know-how and may be more receptive to your presence on the web, your Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, YouTube etc.
How can E Print Solutions help you with QR codes?
Americans are only scratching the surface of how QR codes will be used. Placing a QR code on your business card, flyers, any advertising information is environmentally friendly and helps eliminate errors when entering in your contact information.
These are different links to direct the QR code
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Product details
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Contact details
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Offer details
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Event details
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Competition details
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A coupon
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Twitter, Facebook, MySpace IDs
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A link to your YouTube video
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Maps
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Websites
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Coupons
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The possibilities are endless..
Different Apps to download onto your phone
Blackberry
QR code scanner pro - free- 4.5 stars
Code muncher QR read - 1.99 4.5 stars
Android
QR droid - free 4.5 stars
Google goggles - free 5 stars
iphone
Neoreader- free
Scanlife - free
Quick mark - .99 rated the best!
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