What is a QR Code?

Surely you’ve seen those little black and white squiggles out and about. Perhaps it was on a conference badge, boarding pass, or billboard.

People often pass by them and have no idea what they mean or even what to make of them. Today, ShePosts will finally break the suspense by telling you everything you need to know and more about those funny little squares called QR codes.

What is a QR code?

QR stands for “Quick Response”. A QR code is a 2-dimensional image which consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background. The information encoded within can be text, URLs, addresses, or just about any other data.

For minimal space, you can direct users to unlimited information on the web. However, there is a limit to the amount of data that can be stored in a QR code. After all, the more info you try to cram into that tiny square, the more bulky and complex it becomes. The more complex the code, the harder it is to read.

QR codes are an engaging, innovative, and interactive way to link the physical (print) world with the digital world. 

How do they work?

To access QR Codes, you need two things: 1. a smartphone and 2. a QR Code Reader installed on it. There are many QR code readers available and most seem comparable. Any should do. 

With your smartphone camera, you scan the QR Code.  From there, the code triggers some sort of action, usually online.  Each QR Code gives different data– a link to content on the web, makes a call,  sends an email, IM or SMS,  etc.

Are they popular?

While QR codes are still fairly novel in the Western World, they’ve been actively used for over a decade in Japan, where they were invented.  QR is a registered trademark of Denso Wave, a subsidiary of Toyota. They were initially used to identify auto parts on the assembly line. In Japan QR codes are found on everything from business cards to fresh lettuce. In the US, they are mostly seen in marketing initiatives.

QR codes owe much of their early adoption in the United States to airlines. Many people first encountered QR codes when airlines offered the option to check-in online and generate a digital boarding pass instead printing a paper one. 

Other companies have tried (and failed) to develop a 2-dimensional code similar to QR. Microsoft was one of the most notable with its MS Tags. Lacking the open-source and flexibility of QR codes, MS Tags can only be read by a Microsoft Tag Reader. This is probably the main reason MS Tags are not nearly as successful or wide-spread as QR codes, which can be read by any smartphone.

How can you use them?

Initially, QR codes in the West were gimmicky. Movie studios used them to direct people to a movie trailer online. Retailers used them to drive consumers to coupons or discounts, but QR codes are gaining ground and providing much more.

Starbucks is now using QR codes to process digital payments through a mobile app.

Best Buy has enhanced the shopping experience by added QR Codes to their price tags. The code not only gives detailed information about the product being considered, it also allows customers to read consumer reviews, do some comparison shopping, or e-mail details to a friend who might be giving advice.

Here is an extremely awesome way to use a QR code as shared on Mashable:

QR CODE – Content-rich Resume from Victor petit on Vimeo,

The possibilities are endless!

Paul Strack, president of the digital and print marketing firm CustomXM and QR expert, had this to say about about it:

Restaurants could use QR codes to link to nutritional info or wine pairings. In hospitals, they could assist medical personnel in immediate identification of a patient’s area of need. A code used for the higher-end retail industry gives immediate notification of a more hip, cooler experience than your average discount retailer

The key to making [QR codes] effective is to take users to a place of value- a discount, a coupon, a never before “behind the scenes” look. It take a lot of effort to access a QR code. You need to offer them something unique.

(You can read more about Paul and his company’s innovative approach to marketing on American Printer Magazine. They made this month’s cover.)

Can you track a QR Code?

In a word, Yes!

QR codes most commonly link to urls, so link shortening services bit.ly and goo.gl have expanded their services to automatically generate a QR code for sharing your shortened links and offers analytics.

MyQR.co and ScanLife are two other site that provides analytics, plus the ability to customize the look and color of your QR codes.

How do you make your own?

CustomXM offers a basic QR Code generator on their site, as does Kaywa, Delivr, and the sites mentioned above, bit.ly, goo.gl, MyQR.co and ScanLife.

There are ways to add a logo or other design elements to your QR code. You can even use colors beyond the black and white. Among certain circles, QR codes have been elevated to an art form, either in origami cranes or as seen on Flickr. 

{image credit: Likify.com}