Advertising: QR Codes Part 1: The Basics
In the last five days I’d estimate I’ve seen over fifteen QR codes throughout my day-to-day activities. I’ve seen them in magazines and on billboards and posters across industries like fashion, food and movies, among others. QR codes seem to be getting more and more creative as businesses, small and large, begin to integrate them into their media. I will cover QR codes in a three part blog series where I’ll first discuss the basics and of QR codes in relation to business marketing, the pros and drawbacks of QR codes and lastly, the growing creativity of the codes.
Definition
A QR Code is also known as a quick response code. It is a barcode that can be read by a QR reader that can be downloaded on a smart phone. After the QR reader reads the code, the user is given information.
Benefits
QR codes may look complicated but they are easy to create. Myqr.co is an online tool used to track the frequency with a QR code. This website tells how often a code is scanned, from which smart phone provider and the user’s location. QR codes benefit marketers because they provide a way to measure the effectiveness of an ad.
Demographics
The main users of QR codes are between 35-44 years old, accounting for 25% of the market. 22% of the market are 25-34 year olds. 64 % of females lead in scanning QR codes, while 87% of the scans are information based. From July to December of 2010, QR scanning grew 1200%. These stasticts show the rapid growth of QR codes along with the demographics.
Marketing
QR codes have been found on business cards, in addition with the URL, to direct offline users to a website in a quick and easy way. The QR codes I’ve noticed most are in windows of stores and on restaurants’ menus to offer a coupon for the next visit. Packaging and labels often showing QR codes to promote additional products of the brand line. There has been little done in online marketing with QR codes, but there have been cases where promotional codes will appear online along with an on location code; for example, in a branded video piece online.
These little squares have expanded to linking the real world to the online world. The possibilities are endless and have been expanding drastically since they have became popular. Used correctly, QR codes can boost engagement and sales. I look forward to seeing if this is a marketing break through or a fad, but only time will tell. Look out for part two of QR codes where I will discuss the pros and cons of these codes.
Marketing