What is a QR code and Why Should I Care?

by blogmistress on February 17, 2011

Wharton QR Code

This is a qr code - what does it say?

You may have seen funny little square codes like the one above popping up around the internet. They are called qr codes. QR stands for “quick response.”  The qr code is like a bar code except it can hold even more information.

With mobile marketing becoming more and more prevalent, qr codes can become an important part of your marketing. Smart phones have free apps that can read the qr code and download the information it contains to your phone.

You may be wondering how in the world this can be helpful to your business. I created the qr code above for Wharton Website Design & Marketing. The information it contains is:

Joe & Christi Wharton
TEL: 8704041985
URL: http://wharton-marketing.com
EMAIL:  [email protected]
NOTE:  We create sites that attract visitors and turn them into customers!

I can add the qr code to any of my printed material and people can upload the information from the code to their phone with the qr code reader app. They might lose my business card or brochure but I have given them an easy way to have the information uploaded to their phone that they probably keep with them all the time. How cool is that?

I have also added this code to my Facebook page. Just another way to spread the word! There are many qr reader apps available. There is even one that will check you in on Foursquare with a qr code. If you own a restaurant, I can see the possibility of putting a qr code on the menu so customers can read the code and get checked in to Foursquare and then also have other information like location and phone number automatically uploaded to their phone. They could then share that information on Facebook or email it to their friends right from the qr reader app.

I created the qr code above with zxing. There are many free qr code generators available. Just do a search for the term “qr code generator” and find the one that is best suited to you. There are also lots of qr code reader apps. Some are free and some have a small charge. Usually, the paid apps give you more functionality about what you can do with the information like export it to your phone contacts.

Just think of all the possibilities! Realtors could use qr codes for their properties. All kinds of businesses can use it to promote their websites or social media. Restaurants could use them to promote specials from their Facebook page.

Think people don’t use their phones to connect? Watch this:

Key Take-Aways:

  1. Mobile Marketing is where your customers are going so you should be there too.
  2. QR codes are an easy and inexpensive way to deliver information to your customers.
  3. QR are codes are fun – give them a try!

Next Steps

  1. Create your own qr code and download a qr code reader.
  2. Share this article with people you think could use qr codes for their business.

2 comments on “What is a QR code and Why Should I Care?

  1. Christi on said:

    Margie, that is a great idea! Thanks for sharing.

  2. Christi on said:

    Loretta, Would love to hear how you will use the qr code! Where is Play at the Bay located?

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