QR Codes: Don’t Be Surprised When You Start Seeing These Little Beauties!

You’ve probably seen or at least heard about Quick Response (QR) codes on print advertisements, billboards, and business cards. Using your smartphone to scan a QR print ad, you’re typically directed to a web page containing detailed information on the product. Some individuals place QR codes on their business cards – scan the code and you land at a LinkedIn profile, personal blog, or a contact page.

In the not-so-distant future, you’ll be able to stop by your local grocery store and scan information on nearly every product in the store.

For instance, if you’re curious about when and where a gallon of milk was processed, just scan a QR code on the carton to find out.

Is a coupon available for a particular brand of cereal? Are the tomatoes locally grown and harvested? The QR code will tell you.

QR codes are rapidly changing the method by which we receive and process information. Advertisers and manufacturers are quickly adopting this technology for everyday use.

In terms of wide acceptance, it’s still relatively early in the game. Greater usage of QR codes is contingent on cellphone users transitioning to smartphones. And smartphone users must grow accustomed to recognizing the codes on advertising and packaging.

Here at Kelsey Advertising & Design, we have started placing QRs on print advertisements where we anticipate our target audience having increased smartphone usage. As QR adoption rates increase, we intend to use them more often and in more creative fashion.

For those just learning about this technology, here are some quick bits on QR codes. Enjoy.

What exactly is a QR code?

It’s most similar to a barcode, except it stores a wider array of information. QR codes contain embedded information such as text or a web address (ex: www.kelseyads.com). The technology has been around since the 1990s, but adoption of QR codes has only increased with the advent of smartphones with bar scanning abilities.

How do I scan a QR on my phone?

If you own a smartphone (Droid, iPhone, Blackberry), you must install an app on your phone to scan QR images. There are dozens of apps available and most are free.

What’s the breakdown of QR code usage by smartphone?

Approximately *63% of individuals scanning a QR codes use an iPhone, while a quarter use an Android-powered phone.  Other devices like Blackberry and Windows-based phones comprise the remaining 12%.

Why should I consider using them?

By using QR codes, you can enhance the brand experience. Instead of your customer viewing an advertisement and then forgetting about you seconds later, you provide the chance to learn more about a product – and perhaps prompt them to make a purchase.

Another enormous advantage of QR codes is the ability to track the number of scans. For example, when linking to web address, use a URL-shortener service. You’re then able to precisely ascertain the number of scans (or page views). This can be incredibly useful information in determining ROI.

What does the future behold for QR codes?

The potential applications of QR codes are endlessly creative. For instance, a grocery store in South Korea has created virtual storefronts in subway stations where consumers can shop for products via QR codes while they wait for their train.

Some individuals have even had QR codes tattooed on their bodies! Use your imagination to guess where these codes direct “interested parties.”

*statistics via http://www.beqrious.com