Have you ever seen one of those strange black and white square symbols on ads, product packaging, or in a magazine? QR codes (short for Quick Response codes) are becoming an increasingly popular way to connect with customers and share information. They’re similar to barcodes, which you can also find on most products, but QR codes store more data and offer a number of advantages over conventional barcodes.
Though their popularity is relatively recent compared with traditional barcodes, they are becoming a vital part of the mobile marketing landscape. They can share information effectively and link users seamlessly to mobile websites and apps.
What is a QR Code?
A QR Code is a type of matrix barcode that can be read by smartphones and scanned with dedicated QR code readers. These codes allow users to quickly access text, contact information, website URLs, and more. QR Codes are used for various purposes, including marketing and advertising campaigns, product tracking, and more.
Brief History of QR Codes?
The history of QR codes can be traced back to 1994. A subsidiary of Toyota, the Denso Wave Incorporated (now called DENSO Corporation), invented a new type of two-dimensional code with high information density to replace the existing barcode system for tracking parts at automobile manufacturing plants.
Unfortunately, the QR code system has failed to gain popularity in its early days due to the lack of convenient mobile devices and reader applications necessary to scan and decode. It wasn’t until 18 years later, in 2012, when the mobile industry boomed, that companies slowly began adopting this technology for their marketing campaigns. Since then, it has become increasingly popular and is used almost everywhere we go.
How Do QR Codes Work?
QR Codes function similarly to barcodes. They consist of a pattern representing black modules represented in a square grid on a white background. QR Codes are scanned by smartphones just like barcodes are scanned by UPC readers.
The QR code scanner reads this data using the pattern’s orientation rather than its location within the frame. The information encoded in a QR Code is usually linked to a website or application. However, it can also be used in various ways such as sending SMS messages, saving contact information, sharing social media posts, and more.
Benefits of QR Codes for Your Business
QR codes offer multiple benefits to businesses such as:
- Increased Exposure
- Inexpensive Advertising
- Data Collection
- Add Value to Customer Experience
- Enhanced Brand Recognition
- Increased Customer Engagement
- Convenience to Customers
- Saves Time and Money for Consumers
Identification of Products, Services and Businesses with QR Codes
QR codes offer multiple benefits to businesses, such as increased exposure, inexpensive advertising, data collection, convenience to customers and enhanced brand recognition. QR codes can also save time and money for consumers by providing quick and easy access to information. These are also effective in identifying products, services and businesses.
This allows businesses to provide consumers with an in-depth look at their products and services. QR codes also make it easy for a business to provide a link between physical locations and online resources, expanding the confines of a brick-and-mortar establishment.
One of the best benefits QR codes offer is their ability to cut out the middle man by providing ready access to services and information. As a result, consumers don’t need to go through multiple steps just to learn about a product or service. Ultimately, QR codes are beneficial to consumers because they can quickly obtain information about any product or service by scanning it with their smartphones.
Common Uses of QR Codes
QR codes are everywhere we go, and they can be used for a number of purposes:
- On product packaging to provide information about the product or give access to coupons
- On business cards, posters and brochures to share contact details (website/social media/email)
- As a marketing tool for brands on their advertisements, campaigns and promotions; QR codes can be integrated into print media like billboards, magazines or leaflets
- For payment, QR codes are used for mobile banking and making payments with your phone (this is done by scanning the code displayed on the cashier’s screen)
- To provide temporary access to files or online content.
QR codes are a versatile tool that can be used for a variety of purposes. From product packaging to business cards, QR codes have been proven time and time again that they are an effective form of communication, especially in the mobile age.
Conclusion
QR codes remain a popular marketing tool and are also used to access information via smartphones. Essentially, QR codes offer multiple benefits to businesses, including increased exposure, inexpensive advertising, data collection, and many more. Additionally, QR codes provide consumers with an in-depth look at products and services.
If you aren’t utilising QR codes in your business right now, you could miss out on valuable opportunities to connect with consumers. Additionally, the versatility of QR codes makes them a powerful tool to have in your marketing arsenal.
For more information about QR codes scanners and barcode scanners, please visit the ASP website. Our team would be happy to discuss your needs and to help you build new, more efficient workflows that will support the best operation of your warehouse or store.
We have the right tools for companies of all sizes and will work to accommodate your business, supplying you with technologies that are tailored to suit your business to help improve your efficiency and accountability. We are the market leader when it comes to the development of customised and packaged solutions.
This includes Inventory Management, Portable Barcode Readers, Supply Chain Management, Time and Attendance and Asset Tracking to name but a few.
Please call us today on 03 9578 7600 or 1800 061 642 or contact us through our website.
