Thanks to smartphones, everyone can scan barcodes with ease, and QR codes have become the de facto standard of barcodes for mobile devices. The ease of use for both parties is just one of the many benefits of the QR code.
The obvious benefit to QR codes is that it provides a simple way for you to connect your digital and printed campaigns. A code on your business card allows someone to send you an email or text or add you to their contact list while a code in your flyer might bring up your website, produce a coupon or enable consumers to “Like” your brand on Facebook.
QR codes are simple to make, with many websites providing free services. You may pay if you want to customize your code with your company’s logo or colors — and this is always an option — but QR codes cost nothing to make, and there’s no limit as to how many codes you can make. Furthermore, it requires no technical ability for you to make a QR code. The generators do all the work for you. All you need to know is what kind of data you want to store in the QR code.
Unlike an app, which is restricted to the specific operating system — Windows Phone, iOS or Android are the big three, now — QR codes can be read by any device with a camera. In fact, users could upload an image of a QR code to a website that can decipher the barcode if they really wanted to. QR readers are readily available for free from the many app markets.
Using a QR code in your print marketing is especially beneficial because you don’t have to wait for someone to go home or to their office before they can send you an email or add you to their address book. As long as the potential client has a smartphone, they can connect with your business immediately. This decreases the number of leads lost to consumers simply forgetting what it is that they wanted to do (call, click or email).
QR codes also add mobility to your campaigns. You can put them on any relatively stationary surface — billboards, bus depots and posters all come to mind. However, a QR code might also be useful on the side of a bus or van in big cities where they will be constantly be seen in traffic as well as drop-off destinations.
