You may have noticed a new, slightly strange-looking object appearing on ads, flyers, and even on the back of some business cards. It is normally square, frequently black-and-white and similar to bar codes. This is one of the emerging trends in information sharing – the QR Code.
What is a QR Code?
A QR Code is similar to a bar code which has been used on consumer goods for many years. Bar codes revolutionized point-of-sale management with its ability to represent data about the product on which it is attached. QR codes are very similar in that they can hold information, but the difference is that a bar code can only hold up to 20 numerical digits and a QR codes, being two dimensional, can hold thousands of alphanumeric characters of information. Further, bar codes of the past required a special reader to be able to get the information held. Not so with QR codes. Only a camera-enabled smartphone with a free QR code reader is needed. It is their ability to hold vast amounts of information and their ease of use that will help them revolutionize the way information is delivered.
How Can I Use QR Codes?
The application of QR codes is immense and the application for business owners is vast, but a few examples are below:
- Place a QR code on your business card so that the reader can put your contact information in their database.
- Place a QR code on a brochure to immediately link the reader to your website.
- Place a QR code on your website to activate the email program on the reader’s phone so that they can immediately contact you for more information.
- Place a QR code on a direct mail postcard or letter to insert your phone number so that the reader can call you to request an appointment.
As you can see, there are many ways to use QR codes in your business. The ability of QR codes to connect consumers with your business and your content opens a whole new world for you to deliver relevant information to your eagerly-awaiting audience!
