QR Codes: What's All the Fuss?

QR Codes: What are They and How to Use Them in Your Marketing

Mary’s Marketing Minute

Today I am talking about QR Codes. The original bar codes we grew used to in retail stores were only 1 dimensional, therefore information storage was limited. The QR code is two dimensional, and allows far more information to be stored. They were first created by a company in Japan in 1994 and used for tracking auto parts, and are now making their way through North America at a rapid pace. QR stands for “quick response," since they are just that. They allow a user to instantly access information by scanning the code with a bar code scanner type app on their SmartPhone.

Many of you may have noticed these funny looking “codes” around town, on restaurant menus, at Best Buy, even at Home Depot in their potted plants. If you don’t have a Smart Phone, you can’t appreciate the powerful marketing tool that it is. These funny looking codes can send smart phone users to websites, product or service information, video, coupon, signpost, contact info, points of interest -- it’s limited only to your imagination!

Some examples are:

Real Estate
  Yard signs - you can put your listing info or even a video tour link on a QR code.

Business Cards
  Your contact info could be printed on business cards and other marketing materials to direct customers directly to your website for more product info.

Coupons
  Restaurants and retail stores are cashing in on using the QR code for coupons to be redeemed through the SmartPhone.

Retail store
  If you own a retail business, you can post a QR code on your “Closed” sign to direct customers to your website and let people know they can still shop even after hours--think about what this could do to boost your revenue during the Christmas shopping season!

Social Media
- Promote your Twitter or Facebook page by directing people there with a QR Code.

Want to make your own QR Code? Go to http://www.QRstuff.com to make your own QR code for your website. You can post them here if you want to promote your business on my Facebook fan page!

http://www.Facebook.com/bigdogzmarketing

And they’re not just handy for marketing! On a side note, I recently purchased a product (Stevia) in a grocery store, when I noticed I was unusually overcharged for the item. This is a product I buy all the time so I knew it couldn’t be right. I decided to scan the bar code on the jar and found it to be $4 less than what I was charged! And I bought 2 of them. I went back to the store and they refunded me $21 and gave me a free bottle, since now it was on sale to boot! LOL