Little black and white patterns have big ability to engage consumers.

Quick Response (QR) codes are starting to help small businesses in the United States by providing inexpensive access to potential clients. Basically, QR codes are barcodes that can be scanned by a smart phone to link to text, photos and videos.

 

A QR code is a type of two dimensional code, with black squares or rectangles arranged on a white background within an overall square design. The patterns are coded data that can include numbers and text. Unlike standard barcodes, QR codes can link to URLs and interactive phone, text and e-mail connections.

 

Yes, QR codes seem a little quirky and gimmicky, and most of you have probably not scanned one yet, but QR Codes are really taking off in United States. In fact, according to Mobile Commerce Daily, during the last quarter of 2010, the United States officially became the country with the greatest absolute number of mobile bar code scans.

 

Growing Presence

Originally an Asian phenomenon, QR codes have been widely used there for a long time. They were developed 16 years ago as a parts tracking technology for a Toyota subsidiary in Japan. QR codes have exploded on the scene thanks to smart phone technology. In Asia, they appear on most major outdoor advertisements and people are using them to engage with brands using their mobile devices.

 

Less than one year ago, QR codes here seemed like a curiosity at best and a fad at worst. But in the United States alone, there are more than 292 million wireless subscriber connections and smart phone users now make up more than a fourth of those users.

 

Newer smart phones are preloaded with the software that allows the ability to scan and read the codes. If you have an older phone, no worries, you can also download a free QR reader application at www.mobile-barcodes.com/qr-code-software. Just select the QR reader that is compatible to your phone. There also are many other free QR code readers on the Internet.

 

Engage Mobile Consumers

Small businesses can market to and connect with mobile consumers anywhere the QR Code can be used. Add a QR Code to a brochure, an advertisement or materials for a new campaign, and customers can directly connect to your website, view a video of your product or link to a mobile-friendly, interactive landing page. A static magazine ad now comes alive with links to special offers, coupons and other cross-marketing opportunities.

 

QR codes can be used on business cards to provide a fast and simple way to access the professional information printed on the card. It could connect you to a person's online resume or company website. The standard size business card contains a limited amount of information, but QR code technology can remove barriers of capacity that can restrict the amount of information on a business card. Viewers also can scan the code and with a click of a button save your contact information to their phone. It also is a fun and interesting way to educate new contacts about your business.

 

Many small businesses are placing the QR Code in their store windows to encourage customers to visit their website, post a review, follow them on Twitter or join their company Facebook page. A small business also can create a custom code for a coupon to encourage customers to visit the store or to shop online.

 

Part of the appeal of QR codes is that they are easy to create. There also is extensive tracking software that can send information back to your business in different ways. The demographic data can be linked to the mobile phone user or the actual mobile phone user can be documented and tracked once they connect with the QR code.

 

Ultimately, QR codes are just one more example of cross-media marketing solutions that help traffic go from print to electronic media, bringing new life to the printed page.

 

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