There’s a seemingly obscure technology called QR that will be quickly making its way to the forefront.
QR: Bar codes, with a big difference.
QR codes are read by your mobile phone’s camera. Without needing to type in any information, they enable you to:
- easily visit a website, image or text.
- dial a telephone number.
- send a email or text message.
At present you’ll need an app for scanning though the functionality may soon become inherent in all mobile phones.
QR stands for quick response.
Originally developed in Japan for inventory control, QR has been deployed widely in other applications for the past ten years. It has been slow to catch on in the US and has recently been making its way through Europe.
Free QR scanner apps.
I’m using i-nigma but there are many others. It works on the iPhone and other supported devices. Try scanning the QR code in the diagram at the top of this post, which will take you to our website. If you’d like to create your own code, try the Kaywa QR code generator.
Facebook to implement QR codes.
Users will be able to view and generate QR codes linked to profiles (and likely fan pages). That will enable you to share your Facebook identity easily beyond the confines of Facebook simply by using the QR image. How about placing your Facebook QR code on a business card, or even a bumper sticker.
QR applications are virtually limitless:
At the most basic level, QR codes can be embedded to take a user to websites, images, music and more. Because the code images can be used on promotional products, business cards, accessories, or even jewelry, it’s a great way to advertise. It is even catching on in the fashion world. QR codes can be stored on your customers’ phone, they’ll have it quickly available for future reference.
Implemented on your business door or window, they can link to audio, visual, or textual information about your company and products.
Hospitality:
- A walking tour of Long Beach, CA now includes many QR coded locations.
- User generated content via QR. Enjoyed that restaurant meal or hotel stay? How about scanning the establishment’s QR comment code to enable you to directly comment on their service.
- Restaurants can place QR codes on menus to provide more information about ingredients, recipes, and nutrition for example. This can help with brand loyalty.
Retail:
- Purchases via QR codes. Movie theaters are experimenting with selling tickets via mobile phone and providing a QR code that is then scanned to enable you to walk into the theater. Completely paperless. In addition, movie times, locations, trailers, reviews and more can be listed.
- Codes on virtually any product or on the shelf can link to directions, recipes, ingredients, interactions, coupons, promotions, etc.
Real estate.
Sales can benefit by placing QR codes on for sale signs and brochures in order to take visitors directly to rich content and tours of a location.
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