Scan this!
Step 1Download any QR code reader application
Step 2Scan the QR Code
Step 3Get more information
A QR code (short for quick response code) is a 2-D
barcode that can be scanned using a smartphone
camera. It might:
• direct the user to a website
• compose an email message
• make a phone call
• generate other actions.
What are QR Codes
QR codes (2-D code) contain information in both vertical
and horizontal directions, whereas a barcode contains
data in one direction only. QR codes hold considerably
greater volume of information than a bar code.
What are QR Codes
Source: Denso-Wave.com
Who is using QR Codes
One in five of all Americans
with a mobile device (63.2
million) own a smartphone
and 35% of them access the
Internet from that device.
In June 2011, 14 million
mobile users in the U.S.,
representing 6.2 percent of
the total mobile audience,
scanned a QR or bar code on
their mobile device.
Demographic Profile of US Smartphone Users Who Have Used a QR Code: Feb 2011 (% of Respondents) Respondents who have used a QR Code 32% Gender Male 51% Female 49% Age 18-34 39% 35-54 48% 55+ 13% Household Income <$25K 6% $25K-$50K 23% $50K+ 71% Education Level High school or less 11% College/Associates 26% University+ 63% Source: MGH Survey conducted by Vision Critical http://mghus.com/qr-code-survey-results
Source: comScore
Why Use QR Codes
• Enhance the user’s experience in a way that helps you achieve your marketing goals
• Target audiences that are ‘on the go’
• Capture target audience information
• Free to use
• Novel in the U.S. market
• Easier for users (scan rather than type URL)
• Overcome space limitation on marketing materials
• Must have smartphone
• No standards
• Not share-able, must be in the vicinity
• Frequently misused where it does not enhance the user experience
Why Not to Use QR Codes
• Mobilize the landing page
• Keep the URL short
• Make the content valuable
• Depending on the location of the QR code, include instructions
• Test, test and retest
Basic Rules
• Number of times the code was scanned.
• Number of Click-throughs
• What actions were taken
• Why measure?
– It gives you insight as to who’s interested in your content and how they behave.
– It gives you more information for future marketing decisions.
– It helps you fine-tune your content to make it more effective.
Measuring Success
• RedLaser: www.redlaser.com/mobile
• MS Tag: http://tag.microsoft.com/consumer/index.aspx
• SparQ Code: http://www.sparqcode.com/
• Bit.ly: http://mashable.com/2010/10/13/bit-ly-qr-codes/
• Google shortener: http://goo.gl/
• Kaywa: http://qrcode.kaywa.com/
• QR Tag: http://www.qrtag.net/
• QRarts: http://qrarts.com/
Generators and Readers
WSDOT QR code takes users to download their mobile app (android and iphone) with traffic cameras, travel alerts, border wait times, etc.
WSDOT
Here are some links to help you make good decisions about QR code use:
• Examples of good uses of QR codes
• Examples of bad uses of QR codes
• QR code forum on Vimeo.
QR Code Resources