What Is A QR Code And Why Do You Need One?-gctid70523

[Ɔbenfo Ọbádélé]

What Is A QR Code And Why Do You Need One?              Oct 15, 2009 at 2:07pm ET by Marc Lyne
   
'"

n".self::process_list_items("'.str_replace('
', '', '

•       

inShare276

   

').'")."n[/list]"'
 
                                                We all know that one of the keys to great SEO is making sure you  keep your website updated, new and fresh. Whether you do this with a  blog, or you change your homepage with new offers, coupons or new  products, it serves to show Google that your site is "alive." For many  small businesses in particular, this is a real challenge.
 So you already have great, fresh content on your site—what's next? Do  you know what is coming that may benefit your small business?
 Have you heard of QR codes yet? Here is a quick introduction:
 What Are QR codes? They look like this:
 
 They come to us from Japan where they are very common. QR is short  for Quick Response (they can be read quickly by a cell phone). They are  used to take a piece of information from a transitory media and put it  in to your cell phone. You may soon see QR Codes in a magazine advert,  on a billboard, a web page or even on someone's t-shirt. Once it is in  your cell phone, it may give you details about that business (allowing  users to search for nearby locations), or details about the person  wearing the t-shirt, show you a URL which you can click to see a trailer  for a movie, or it may give you a coupon which you can use in a local  outlet.
 The reason why they are more useful than a standard barcode is that  they can store (and digitally present) much more data, including url  links, geo coordinates, and text. The other key feature of QR Codes is  that instead of requiring a chunky hand-held scanner to scan them, many  modern cell phones can scan them. The full Wikipedia description is here.
 How does the cell phone read the code? The cell phone needs a QR code reader, like this one from Kaywa. It takes literally 1 minute for someone with an iPhone or Android phone to find and install the reader.
 How do you generate a code? You can easily generate a QR code using a site like Kaywa.com  or you can use the Open Source code to generate codes for you if you  have a smart developer on hand. Google also has a tool — see our  separate article about that:Close-Up With Google's New QR Code Generator.
 How can you use QR codes to benefit search marketing? We are only just scratching the surface of how they will be used. We  have added one to every business listing in our directory. Here are a  few examples of how others are using them.
 A business card company showing how they are using them for businesses:
  In print that links the user straight to a web site:  Skip to half way in this video to see some examples:
 You can also watch this BBC Click interview on YouTube.
 How will Google see them? If you add them to your website, the search engines will see that  your pages have changed, and that you are updating pages. The search  engine will see a new image and index it accordingly. At some point  soon, the search engines will likely recognize QR codes and possibly  index the content in them.
 Will your customers use them? Today, few may use them, but those that do will certainly appreciate  your tech knowledge, and those that don't will certainly be inquisitive,  which may open the door for conversation and a potential sale. Those  that do use QR codes will definitely have a high tech know-how and may  be more receptive to your presence on the web, your Twitter presence,  Facebook, MySpace, YouTube etc.
 How could you use a QR code? Your business, no matter how small or large, could use QR codes in a  number of ways. You might auto generate one next to every product on  your web site containing all the product details, the number to call and  the URL link to the page so they can show their friends on their cell  phone. You could add one to your business card containing your contact  details so its easy for someone to add you to their contacts on their  cell phone.
 Add them to any print advertising, flyers, posters, invites, TV ads etc containing:
 
'"

n".self::process_list_items("'.str_replace('
', '', '

• Product details
• Contact details
• Offer details
• Event details
• Competition details
• A coupon
• Twitter, Facebook, MySpace IDs
• A link to your YouTube video

').'")."n[/list]"'
 Want to know more about QR codes? Check out these articles:
 
'"

n".self::process_list_items("'.str_replace('
', '', '

• QR Codes: Are You Ready For Paper-Based Hyperlinks?
  
• How To Use QR Codes In Social Media
  
• Microsoft Tags: A Compelling Alternative To QR Code Hyperlinks
  
• Close-Up With Google's New QR Code Generator
  ').'")."n

"'
                         Opinions expressed in the article are those of the guest author and not necessarily Search Engine Land.

[Ɔbenfo Ọbádélé]

How QR Codes Can Grow Your BusinessBy Jeff Korhan
Published February 7, 2011

What are QR codes and how can they help your business? Keep reading to find out.

Quick  Response codes (QR codes) and other two-dimensional codes are expected  to achieve widespread use this year – and for good reason. Consumers  want immediate access to what’s relevant and QR codes are being used to make that possible.
QR Codes 101If  you’re not yet familiar with QR codes, they’re similar to the barcodes  used by retailers to track inventory and price products at the point of  sale. The key difference between the two is the amount of data they can  hold or share.
QR code to the Social Media Examiner home page.

Bar  codes are linear one-dimensional codes and can only hold up to 20  numerical digits, whereas QR codes are two-dimensional (2D) matrix  barcodes that can hold thounited snakesnds of alphanumeric characters of  information. Their ability to hold more information and their ease of use makes them practical for small businesses.
When you scan or read a QR code with your iPhone, Android or other camera-enabled Smartphone, you can link  to digital content on the web; activate a number of phone functions  including email, IM and SMS; and connect the mobile device to a web  browser.
Any of these desired functions are easily  achieved by properly creating your QR code.  It’s a simple process of  entering the appropriate data into the QR code generator, described  below, and it all takes just a few minutes.
The ability of QR codes to connect people with each other and to multimedia digital content is very useful for businesses and consumers alike.
The Origins of QR CodesWhile QR codes are still considered a novelty here in the United  States, they’ve been actively used for over a decade in Japan where they were invented.  QR is a registered trademark of Denso Wave,  a subsidiary of Toyota.  Denso Wave has elected not to exercise their  patent rights of QR codes and that has encouraged their widespread use.
There  are other software companies that have created 2D codes that work much  like QR codes, with Microsoft being the most notable.  Microsoft  developed their own proprietary software to create codes known as MS  tags.  Unlike QR codes, which can be read by a number of different  readers, MS tags can only be read by the Microsoft Tag Reader.
MS tag to Microsoft Tag Reader app.

Choosing  to use QR codes or MS tags is a personal choice.  It seems that MS tags  presently allow for more possibilities for creative graphic designs,  such as incorporating images and logos into the tag.  Nevertheless,  those capabilities have to be weighed against the reach and ease of use  of open-source QR codes.
How QR Codes WorkQR code Generators  – There are a number of sites for generating QR codes and they’re all  free.  An Internet search for QR code generator will offer many choices.
One that has worked well for me is Kaywa, a site created by Datamatrix, which is another pioneer of 2D codes.  You can use it to create QR codes that link to a web page, text, phone numbers, or SMS.  Another with even greater capabilities, including customizing the color and format of your codes is Kerem Erkan.
QR code Readers – The QR code reader app that works well on my iPhone is i-nigma,  which claims to be the most widely used reader in the world.  It  accommodates virtually any type of camera phone. For the android, you  can also try Barcode Scanner. If you already own the popular price-checking app Red Laser, they’ve recently adapted their technology to accommodate QR code reading.
Applications for QR CodesSharing – There’s  no limit to how, or even how much, you can share with QR codes.  While a  video or landing page is easily shared, you could go further and share an entire eBook and even multiple pieces of content that share a common link.
QR code Like button to the author’s Facebook page.

Community – Sharing is how you build community, and one of the favorite arenas for doing this is Facebook.  You can use Likify to create a QR code that links your mobile device to a fully functioning LIKE button for your Facebook page.
This  greatly simplifies the process of merging your other communities with  your Facebook page – and it is all accomplished in one click.
Additionally, the accompanying signature “thumbs-up” clearly suggests the purpose of the code.
Calls to Action  – After building a community, the next logical step is to mobilize them  to take action.   What are you trying to accomplish?  You can alternate special offers by simply linking your QR codes to new landing pages, and you can combine then with email opt-ins to build your list.
The QR code above takes visitors to a Facebook page welcome tab where the calls to action are Liking the page and a list opt-in.

SEO and SMO – Earlier this month I wrote an article on social graphs  where I discuss how web objects such as images, music clips, and videos  add valuable content to your social graph.  QR codes enhance both your  search engine and social media optimization.  Now you can increase  traffic to those searchable objects to further optimize them by  encouraging more sharing.
Social Proof –  To help build a community offline, it can be helpful to use your  vibrant online communities as social proof of your influence and  expertise.  As one example, you can use QR codes to link to specific blog posts that have earned an abundance of activity.
Analytics- QR codes most commonly link to urls, which is why link shortening services bit.ly and goo.gl now automatically generate a QR code for sharing your shortened links.  Using goo.gl  as an example, you simply click on the “more” link after you create  your shortened link, where you are taken to a page that not only gives  you the QR code, but useful analytics.
MyQR.co is another site that provides analytics and the ability to customize the color of your QR codes
This  screenshot shows how bit.ly serves up analytics and a QR code for a  shortened link. Scan it to go to a list of recommended QR code readers.

Practical Uses of QR CodesHere  are some ways for using QR codes that are mostly in practice now, as  well as a few that I believe we will be seeing in the very near future.
Where
QR Codes could be used:

'"

n".self::process_list_items("'.str_replace('
', '', '

• The back (or front and back) of your business card.
• Your brochures and other marketing materials.
• The sides of trucks and trailers.
• Product tags and packaging
• Convention and event nametags
• Restaurant menus
• Event ticket stubs
• Point-of-sale receipts

').'")."n[/list]"'
QR Code at the Naperville, IL Public Library assists visitors with helpful advice.

What
QR Codes could link to:

'"

n".self::process_list_items("'.str_replace('
', '', '

• Installation instructions
• Sources for replacement parts and service
• Directions to your business
• The process for hiring your professional services
• Valuable coupons and special offers
• Recommendations for complementary products and services
• Free mp3 downloads
• Customer feedback forms

').'")."n[/list]"'
A QR code on a café in Seattle, WA links to Google Places and reviews on Yelp and around the web.

How you can you maximize your effectiveness with QR codes:

'"

n".self::process_list_items("'.str_replace('
', '', '

• Provide explanations about their use and benefits
• Encourage actions that support your marketing plan
• Assuage the fears of the technically challenged
• Give reasons to come back
• Experiment with the size, location, and color of your QR codes
• Study your analytics
• Make the process fun, such as a QR code scavenger hunt
• Experiment

').'")."n[/list]"'
Practical ExamplesUnited Airlines  – Many of the major airlines are now using 2D codes as digital boarding  passes.  I recently learned that by the end of 2011 all carriers will  be required to provide this service for international flights.
United Airlines 2D code boarding pass.

I  tried this myself and it works like a charm.  My only suggestion is to  not rely on the link, but rather to save a copy of the image on your  phone.   You don’t want to risk not being able to find a good signal  when you need it most!
Google Places – When you register your local business with Google Places,  you’ll receive a decal for your place of business that includes a QR  code to your company website. Be sure that QR code links to the most  relevant information that potential customers are interested in – such  as hours of operation and current specials and offers.
The Cure Starts Now Foundation  – This non-profit foundation is creatively using QR codes in  partnership with a local small business, and the results have been  favorable for both organizations.
The Cure Starts Now Foundation  was started in 2007 by Keith Desserich and his wife Brooke, in honor of  their six-year old daughter Elena, who died of brain cancer.  They  partnered with Graeter’s Ice Cream, based in Cincinnati, OH, who created  a special flavor of ice cream for the cause – Elena Blueberry Pie.
The  marketing campaign used a QR code linking to the Cones for a Cure  landing page, where your contact information is exchanged for a coupon  for a free scoop of Elena Blueberry Pie ice cream.
Cones for a Cure billboard with QR code.

The  campaign not only surpassed the fund-raising goals, but it also helped  to increase revenue and distribution for Graeter’s – who actively  participated in the fund-raising on a per scoop basis.  The campaign  will be rolled out again next year in twice as many cities.
The Future of QR Codes and TagsThe  potential for QR Codes is limitless.  What’s most exciting is how they  take what social media is doing well now, bringing people together with  technology, and extending it to enhance the experience.
The next  generation of barcodes will hold even more information – so much that an  Internet connection will not even be necessary.  The content will be  effectively embedded in the code.  Imagine scanning a digital code to  manifest physical reality?
It’s amazing to consider where this can go.
How about you?  How can you use QR codes to take advantage of this phenomenon? Leave your comments in the box below.
[h=6]Tags: analytics, barcode, barcode scanner, bitly, brand, data, denso wave, googl, inigma, jeff korhan, kaywa, kerem erkan, likify, microsoft tag reader, myqrco, qr code, qr code application, qr code generator, qr code reader, qr tag, quick response code, red laser, scan, social media tools, use qr code
[/size]

About the Author, Jeff Korhan
Jeff  Korhan is a professional speaker with over two decades of small  business ownership. He helps mainstream small businesses use social  media and Internet marketing to create exceptional customer experiences.  Other posts by Jeff Korhan »