QR Codes & Mobile: The Time is Now

Smart phones are everywhere and so are QR Codes! By now you have seen and may have scanned your share of QR Codes. If you haven’t they can be fun and lead to videos, pictures, mobile information and more that is unveiled with a simple scan.

Every day there are more and more QR codes for things such as:

Some smaller brands and companies have adopted QR codes fairly quickly and are having fun doing it. Larger brands and companies have until recently experimented with QR codes as an add-on to current campaigns, slipping them in the corner or at the bottom of printed materials. One major retailer has created a campaign with a QR code as it’s centerpiece and through their marketing efforts, they are educating more consumers about QR codes.

QR codes are the star of Macy’s current “Backstage Pass”. As part of the campaign, Macy’s is running TV commercials and full page newspaper ads starring QR codes front and center, above the fold thus sharing QR codes with the shopping masses. Macy’s has done some heavy lifting for the rest of us in showing how to scan their red QR Code which fits nicely into their familiar star.  They’ve even created a video with instructions.

Now that Macy’s, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, and other mainstream brands and retailers have embraced QR codes in their marketing, the time is right to look into using them for your business.

• Video:  Directions for putting together that build-it-yourself furniture or kids toys, shelf talkers, real estate home tours, video product demonstrations, music videos, and movie trailers.
• Maps, geo location: What better way to give directions to restaurants, stores, events, etc. Scan the code and the directions are in the phone and ready to go.
• Others: Phone numbers for recorded message or SMS opt-in.
• Email messages or addresses
• Paypal for instant purchasing and donations.
• Medical information. Calendar events that load right into your mobile calendar.
• Social media and location-based services check-ins.
• Extend brochure and packaging information with QR Codes.

Decrease or eliminate outdated marketing material by putting time-sensitive information into a QR code mobile landing page where it can easily be updated. Include a QR code and the brochure information remains relevant.

The most important aspect of implementation of QR Codes is that they really are a mobile gateway and should be treated as such. Your QR code is not just another way to get people to go to your website. They can open a new line of customer engagement, add a competitive advantage as well as showing innovation.

Now is the time to thoughtfully build your next campaign to include QR codes.

1. Consider the mobile aspect.
2. Create and prepare what your QR code offering shall be. Is it a video, opt-in for e-newsletters, opt-in of SMS texting, or special content that is only for a mobile landing page. Make sure that the landing component is complete before your QR code goes public.
3. Determine if you need a single QR code or a multi-QR code campaign.
4. Choose the right QR code generator – whether DIY or QR code service, analytics are a MUST. Here is a great list.
5. Generate your code. Add it as is to your marketing materials or style it with color or add some other design effects being careful not to compromise the integrity of the code.
6. TEST, TEST, TEST and test again before you print your code. Test on multiple mobile phones (Android, iPhone, BlackBerry, etc.) using multiple QR code scanners. Perhaps even a short, quick print proof to test the code in it’s final state.
7. Add a sentence or two of scanning directions and where to get a QR scanning app.

Plan QR code campaigns that will leave your customers delighted with the thrill of the hunt!