A quick primer on the latest tool for the marketing professional.
QR stands for quick response code. It's the odd looking little box that slightly resembles an empty crossword puzzle.You might have seen them in product ads or magazines, or, if you travel to Europe or Japan, on signs, busses,or billboards. Or, like a lot of America maybe you've never seen one at all. Either way, for the marketing professional driving consumers through a printed piece to an interactive web experience,QR codes are the wave of the future.
So what is a QR code? A QR code is a scannable image with encoded information such as contact information, a short message such as a coupon or an invitation to something exclusive, or a link to a specific, relevant website.
The code itself was developed by Japanese auto parts manufacturer Denso-Wave for tracking parts in auto manufacturing. But it has quickly spread to mainstream society in Japan and to a lesser degree, in Europe as a method of guiding people to promotions, and product or company information.
Just think of the potential! Scan a code and lead customers online to instant, relevant shopping, travel, or dining reservations, or to more information about your clients' products or services. QR codes provide potential additional value to print campaigns, including increased response rates, additional sales, heightened brand awareness/loyalty, and increased engagement by consumers.
Now a word of warning. It's new in the U.S. and not that many people are familier with it. The ability to scan QR codes is limited to smartphone users with the appropriate code reading app. But the apps are free, or available for a small fee for the better ones. And the latest versions of Googles Android, and Nokias Symbian mobile operating systems now include QR code reading ability, which might be a sign of things to come. And remember, it has to start somewhere, and what better place than your next print campaign!
QR codes may be a new concept in the U.S., but with the rapid rise of smartphone use, and the increasing sophistication of smartphone software and hardware, (not to mention the users!), the target market is expanding. Call us to see how we can help integrate this into your next print project.