Is it time to incorporate QR codes into your business strategy? | BCS ProSoft

You may have noticed those strange looking, square bar codes that are starting to show up on magazine ads, newspaper ads, and even in emails. What the heck are they and what purpose could they possibly serve? In this article, I’ll explain the concept of QR Codes, how you can get value from them, and even how you might be able to adjust your marketing to take advantage of the capabilities of the QR code.

QR Codes 101

A Quick Response Code (QR Code) is a specific matrix barcode (two-dimensional code) that is readable by dedicated QR readers, smartphones, tablet devices, and computers with webcams. The code consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background. The information encoded may be text, URL (web page links), Personal Contact information, or other data. Bar codes are linear one-dimensional codes and can only hold up to 20 numerical digits, whereas QR Codes are 2-dimensional and can hold thousands of alphanumeric characters of information. Their ability to hold more information and their ease of use makes them practical for small businesses.

When you scan or read a QR Code with your iPhone, Android, or other camera-enabled device, you can link to digital content on the web; activate a number of phone functions including email, IM, and SMS; and connect the mobile device to a web browser. Any of these desired functions are easily achieved by properly creating your QR Code. It’s a simple process of entering the appropriate data into the QR Code generator, described below, and it all takes just a few minutes. The ability of QR Codes to connect people with each other and to multimedia digital content is very useful for businesses and consumers alike.

How QR Codes Work

QR Code Generators – There are a number of websites available for generating QR Codes and most are free. An internet search for QR Code Generator will offer many choices. I’ve played around with a number of them and they all seem to be pretty simple to use. My favorite is ZXing because their generator has a form that allows you to use a number of different data types, including URL, text message, email address, contact information, geo location, calendar event, and more. Once the code has been generated, you can save it as an image that can then be imbedded in an HTML document, or included in print copy. The QR Code above, for example, will take you to a special landing page on the BCS ProSoft web page which includes a special offer.

The most common method for scanning QR Codes is via a smartphone. There are a number of programs that can be installed on an iPhone, Android, or almost any other device that incudes a camera. I have a program called QR Master installed on my iPhone that I highly recommend, though a quick search on iTunes turns up more than 100 programs available for reading QR Codes and many are free.

Does this ever happen to you? You’re reading through a magazine and you see something that interests you, but you don’t have time to review it at that moment, so you think, “I need to remember to go back and look at that,” but 15 minutes later you’ve forgotten about it. If the advertiser or magazine editor provided a QR Code that linked back to that information, you could scan the code on your smartphone. The scan software would save the link and/or information included in the QR Code so that you can go back to it when you have the time. Brilliant!

How Can You Integrate QR Codes into your Business Strategy?

In some respects, QR Codes are perceived as a  fun way to use iPhones, however, the tide is turning and more companies are beginning to integrate QR Codes into their business strategies in interesting ways. Here are several great examples of ways you can successfully use QR Codes:

• Print Media – A QR Code included on a brochure or advertisement can provide a quick link to additional information on your web site related to the message of the marketing piece.
• Business Cards – Put a QR Code on your business card that includes your contact information. When read by a smartphone, the information would create a contact record with your information. In addition, you could include a link to a landing page on your website which provides additional details about your skills, products that you represent, etc.

It’s not just a marketing gimmick

You may be thinking, “This is another cute gimmick like Social Media, etc., that only the Computer Geeks will find useful.” On the contrary, QR Codes can be integrated into the operations of most businesses. Here are a couple of examples of how QR codes are streamlining operations and increasing revenue for businesses today:

• Job Site – Many job sites are required to make safety and other regulatory information immediately available to government representatives during site inspections. A conspicuously located “Job Tag” could include a QR Code which would link to a document management system that includes all of the information relative to that Job.
• Museums – A QR Code located next to a piece of art can provide a link to detailed information about the art, the artist, etc.
• Wine Bottles (and other consumer products) – How many times have you had a particularly good bottle of wine at a restaurant and wanted to buy a bottle (at non-restaurant prices) or wanted more information about the wine? A QR Code on the label can link a customer to all kinds of information about the specific wine, the winery, and even allow the consumer to order a bottle (or case?) on the spot.
• Invoices, Packing Lists, Sales Orders, Contracts, etc. – A QR code included on business documents could link the customer directly to additional information related to the specific products or services included on the document.
• Invoices and Statements – A QR Code could link a customer directly to a site that would allow them to pay the invoice(s).

Technology such as QR Codes allows us to add more value for our customers and partners while keeping overhead low, but like any new technology, you should put some thought into its use to insure that you are, in fact, adding value. On the other hand, there is an unique opportunity for early adapters to gain a significant advantage over the competition. Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box!

I would love to hear what your ideas are for using QR Codes in your business. Leave me a comment below with your thoughts, or if you would like to have a BCS ProSoft consultant contact you to discuss this with you directly, complete the form below.