QR Codes – The Not-So-New Yet Amazing Trend That is Taking Off

Wonderfully cheap and effective, QR codes are a re-emerging trend taking over!

QR codes or Quick Response Codes are those odd-looking barcode-like squares that contain information. I am sure you have seen them on posters, leaflets, magazines etc. You have probably thought that those codes aren’t for you and your business, but guess what? They are!

In the following paragraphs I will show you why and how to make the most of them.

What are QR Codes?

Quick Response codes are 2 dimensional barcodes first introduced in Japan in 1994. Similar to the barcodes you see on products, you cannot read them but luckily your smart phones can!

Nowadays QR codes are optimized and more advanced than the QR codes circa-1994. They allow for users to obtain information with a single click. Usually they contain a link or a website or a document.

So far, so good. But how are QR codes relevant to your business?

QR Codes for Business

The way it works, a smartphone is used to scan the QR code which is then converted into something useful, a website URL, for example or a pdf document. The possibilities are endless.

Intrigued to see what’s behind this QR Code? Scan it and discover for yourself ;)

Marketers are on a never-ending quest of trying to find new and innovative ways to communicate with customers and with the huge number of people (you alike I’m sure) chronically attached to our smart phones, tablets and other digital devices, mobile has proved to be the next big marketing medium. So far we have email, Social and SMS marketing but they have found a new way to incorporate mobile into their marketing and sales strategies. And this new way is in the form of a square (literally)!

The reason why businesses like QR codes is because they are cheap to create (which makes them perfect for small businesses with limited resources), they are very popular (and their popularity is only growing), they are fun and interactive, and they can be placed almost anywhere!

There is a very real opportunity for people to see your QR code, scan it, view a product and purchase it there and then. No muss, no fuss, no coconuts. I am sure you don’t want to miss on that prospect!

I guess you are intrigued! But how can you make the most of QR codes for your business?

The use of QR codes has spread like wildfire and I think it’s time you caught up with the trend. The idea behind QR codes for marketing is that you offer something of value to the client. Nobody (or very few people) would scan a code just because it is there. As anything else, you will have to offer some kind of an incentive for people to scan the code. Is it a link to a free eBook, or a link to an online contest, maybe it takes you to the company Facebook page? As we said earlier the possibilities are endless! Here are a few suggestions of what your QR code may link to:

• Contest


• Sign-up form for you newsletter


• Facebook, Twitter or any other social media page


• Information page about the product


• A video


• How-to instructions


• White papers etc.

Fun and interactive, QR codes entice customers and potential clients to actively participate and interact with your business. They can obtain useful information with the click of a button!

In order to make sure that you get it right, here is some expert advice:

• Golden rule is that QR codes shouldn’t link to a desktop site, the content should be optimised


• Make sure you give people exactly what they expect, make your page laser focussed. If you are want them to fill in a sign-up form, make sure the link takes them to the sign-up page.


• Test it, track it. I have scanned QR codes only to come up empty-handed and being send to the wrong page. This would disappoint customers and wouldn’t make you look very professional. Always test the code once it has been printed on whatever surface or object you wanted it to be. Make sure it works before it’s too late! Also, to make sure you are getting some return on your QR investment, make the QR link trackable.

These are only some of the endless possibilities that come with using QR codes. You can find more information on how to incorporate QR codes into your marketing strategy here. Are you going to give them a go? Let me know.

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