QR codes

[slowtyper]

Do you use QR codes, if so, how? Personally I thought they were useless because I thought they can only send you to a URL. But I recently found out it can do stuff like add your contact information to the phone or bring you to "like" your facebook page <--not sure if this is just a link to your website facebook page...haven't tried it yet.

So I think its pretty interesting stuff but i'm also a bit concerned people will get annoyed by it pretty soon.

[jcon]

I use QR Codes in two situations - I find one in the newspaper for something I'm interested in or I'm online and I see one that I would like to pursue on my phone (usually for Apps). That's about it and not frequently.

EDIT: I can see businesses starting to use these for advertising or offering discounts - Here's a coupon that can be scanned by the cashier!

[goob3r]

There are many articles on why QR codes have failed in North America and hasn't picked up traction. Here's an article of one person's opinion: http://www.imediaconnection.com/arti....aspx?id=30267

I for one see them all over but will not scan a code just to see more info. The codes are gimmicky at best and generally visual pollution. No ad is ever interesting or important enough for me to do work right then and there to retrieve it. And who are the geniuses who puts the codes on subway and platform ads where there is no Internet access?

[MrKap]

They're great. I use them all the time. For instance when I am buying a candy bar, instead of reading the label, I just reach into my pocket, connect to the internet, scan the code, and I get a full multi-media brand experience.

I've become addicted to the point of envying those who happen to have a barcode scanner on them, when I have forgotten mine at home, or when my batteries are low. I now always carry an extra set of batteries, and an extra scanner just so I never miss a tasty piece of information. Sometimes I share my scanner with others. This I find creates a much deeper and meaningful experience.

Ask any good designer. Nobody should have access to your message unless they dig and work hard for it. It creates "Brand Appreciation".


Can't wait for version 2.0

I expect they will be switching over the international shipping container barcodes any time now.

[slowtyper]

I never use them but I think it would be neat to get a business card with the code. Just scan it and load the contact into my phone instead of manually entering it.

Another thing I'm thinking about is putting a QR code on a menu and scanning it brings up pictures of the food. I find putting pictures of the food on the menu or on a TV on the wall kind of tacky but this seems half good idea half tacky to me.

[theBeachBoy]

my father uses them, he looks at the Canadian Tire flyer, and then gets to videos of the tools by scanning the QR code with the phone... very easy to use.

but to answer OP's question, you can store anything in a QR code, we use them at work and we store multiple key-value pairs.. we put idProduct=12345|idPart=123

and when the user scans it on the production floor, the program reads and interprets the string.

[NEMESIS_2008]

I have a qr code on my business cards which leads people to testimonials for my company and a promo video on youtube.

Great idea but not sure if anyone will actually utilize its function.....

[sexyj]

QR code is only useful when your URL is very very long. Like a link to itunes for an app download

If it is a company site, it make more sense to just use the direct URL

[grant]

Great idea but not sure if anyone will actually utilize its function.....

Do you track it? Obviously you should, so you'll find out pretty quick how well it works.

I like the idea.

[vank.elena]

I also have a QR COde on my business card but I am not so sure if many people use it, not many phones have the barcode reading option available

[riz1]

I use QR codes for all Marketing material including to put it on open house and for sale signs.. People do use it as we track it....

[bty2047]

I deal with QR Codes on a fairly regular basis (internet marketer) and have had to come up with some pretty unique strategies to track them.
It doesn't matter, even with all my fancy 301 redirects and tagged URLS nobody scans them. For the individual using the QR Code for his business profile,
Go here: http://support.google.com/googleanal...n&answer=55578 generate a new url with the correct information and use that URL in the QR Code.
This will allow you to see web traffic in Analytic's which was sent via your QR Code.

Hope that helps.

[IceBlueShoes]

I've was told you have to trademark QR codes, however everything that I've read online suggests otherwise. This doesnt seem to make any sense to me, since it's essentially a UPC code and the technology itself is available for anyone to use.

Can anyone please confirm this?

Thanks!

[matdwyer]

I've was told you have to trademark QR codes, however everything that I've read online suggests otherwise. This doesnt seem to make any sense to me, since it's essentially a UPC code and the technology itself is available for anyone to use.

Can anyone please confirm this?

Thanks!

Absolutely not - a QR code is essentially a font. It's a way of displaying your characters in a method that is interpreted by the scanning device.

[utalking2me]

I use the i-nigma app on my iPhone to read QR codes and one can create QR codes for free at kaywa.com.