Did you think that Quick Response (QR) codes were everywhere in 2011? If so, you should expect to see more of the same in 2012. They will continue to add a lot of value to printed products, including labels, packages, mailers, and more.
Yes, there are going to be other mobile technologies – such as NFC, perhaps? – that will push a bit further into the mainstream in the near future, but with QR codes, the momentum has reached a tipping point. Now is the time for companies to use them to make their printed materials interactive.
Of course, QR codes should not be incorporated only because they are popular. They should help a company to achieve business goals – and that starts with getting people to scan them. It goes without saying that QR codes need to be printed correctly so that they work effectively. If the code fails, the user becomes immediately disinterested.
Awareness of QR codes has increased dramatically over the past few months but there are still plenty of people that don't know what they are or how to use them. To assist them, provide instructions near the QR code on your printed materials.
This could be done by including text (i.e. ‘Scan the QR code with your smart phone’) or by incorporating an image that displays a smart phone pointing to the QR code, or an image showing how the QR code could point to a smart phone that is displaying a website.
want to scan this?’. Rather than just slapping a QR code on your printed materials, develop a reason why you should have one. Will it make it easier for your audience to access a map or directions? Will it make easier for people to contact your company or to make a purchase? Include that reason somewhere on your printed materials to let people know what benefits they'll receive by scanning the code.
QR codes exist primarily to make print interactive but you can use other media to increase awareness about them. Create blog posts on your website that talk about them. Produce a video that demonstrates how someone could successfully use their smart phone to scan them. Put one on your social media pages or in your email signature.
Talk about them in your eNewsletter. By taking those steps, you not only create curiosity, but increase the chances that your audience will know what to do with them when they see your QR code printed.
This one is very important. QR codes can hold a lot of data but the more data that you have in a QR code, the harder it may be for someone to scan it quickly. Be sure to use a service that shortens your URLs before generating the QR code.