QR Codes
What is a QR Code?
QR codes, short for "quick response" codes, are a two dimensional, matrix style barcode. Developed in the mid-90's in Japan to track car parts in an assembly plant environment, they have become the dream marketing vehicle for businesses trying to bridge the print media world with online content and delivery. With a simple "scan" by your smartphone's camera, the mobile device automatically springs into action, bringing up a web page in the mobile browser, showing a video posted on YouTube, downloading a song, initiating SMS text messages, finding a location using geocoding and so much more!
Accuprint's Marketing Programs Can Track Your Scans!
The marketing possibilities are endless, limited only by the imagination. We at Accuprint like to think of QR Codes as printed hyperlinks. Much like you would point and click with your mouse on your desktop or laptop computer, these codes allow you to point and click with your mobile, taking you to the content you seek. While these codes are a powerful way to deliver content to your customers and prospects real-time at their convenience, the marketing leverage can be derived by tracking the scans.
Accuprint now has the ability to create codes, whether a single-purpose code or unique code for personalized use, and then track when the code is scanned, how often and how many times, where it was scanned (location), the device used, IP address and more! This means you can tag a direct mail piece with a code that is unique to that prospect alone, and know whether they scanned the code, where and when as well. Think of what this tracking capability can do for your marketing! Coupled with our other cross-media marketing solution sets, you now have a powerful arsenal of marketing options at your disposal.
Consider these uses:
Opt-In Marketing - For permission based marketing solutions, companies can offer a free download in exchange for a prospect's email address or cell number.
Marketing Collateral - learn more about a product or service, whether via a general website or dedicated webpage, or with the power of multi-media via a video presentation.
Retail Signage - show current sale events, promotional discounts, download mobile coupons to the mobile device and so much more.
Invitations / Event Announcements - gather further information or RSVP on your mobile device.
Real Estate - a quick scan of an MLS listing, or from a 'For Sale' sign, brings up an instant virtual tour of the property.
Business Card - transfer you contact information in the form of a vCard or meCard.
So much more!
Where do I get the software for my phone?
Readers are available for just about every phone make and model today. Manufacturers such as Sony Ericsson have begun to bundle readers into their hardware lines. The new Android OS includes Google's Barcode Reader, and certain Nokia models include their own software. If your phone doesn't come pre-loaded with barcode software, try one of these solutions.
i-nigma
A good all around reader, supports many mobile devices. For easiest download, simply visit http://www.i-nigma.mobi on your mobile browser and the software will automatically detect whether your phone is compatible and ask for confirmation of the download.
QuickMark
We use this on our iPhones, and is a great, stable reader. It is available through the Apps store, but supports more phone models than just the iPhone.
Kaywa Reader
Primarily covering Sony Ericsson, Motorola and Nokia. Again, visiting http://reader.kaywa.com on your mobile will allow you to download the software directly if compatible.
NeoReader
An all-purpose reader that supports a full list of devices. For immediate download to your mobile, visit get.neoreader.com on your mobile browser.
Each of these readers has its own unique strengths and weaknesses. Some allow instant action via toggle settings, while others require action after the scan such as clicking a link or permission before the action initiates. Some will allow you to automatically dump a contact scan into your phonebook, others will not. As well, codes can vary in their quality, making some scans easier and instantaneous, while others take a little bit of finessing by the user. Experiment and try different brands until you feel comfortable with your software and mobile model's compatibility.
Links to Our Favorite QR Sites
These sites contain volumes of information about QR Codes, their uses, generators to make your own codes, additional links, readers, blogs, history and so much more. A quick Google scan for QR Codes will yield enough information to stimulate thoughts about the creative applications of this ingenious little symbol. Once you have become comfortable with its purpose and uses, talk to us about incorporating these codes into your marketing processes and printed collateral. We are constantly pushing the envelope at Accuprint, blending online and offline content into unique marketing solutions for our clients. We'd be happy to discuss your needs today!
