Probably,
most of you have already heard about QR codes. However, if you belong to those
who haven’t, then here is a blog entry for YOU.
In the last
couple of weeks, I bumped into these little (or not that little) signs
basically everywhere and I had no idea about their function. I saw them on the
last page of leaflets, on the bottom corner of posters/billboards on the
streets or in the underground stops. I even saw one - in extra large size - on the
side of a house. So, I became curious what they could be good for.
First of
all, let’s make this acronym clear for everybody. ‘QR Code’ is the short
version of Quick Response Code. These codes are similar to a simple barcode
that you can see on packages and labels of every single product in shops. The difference
between a QR code and a barcode – besides their appearance – is the capacity of
information they can hold and share. As for the exterior, a barcode is a linear
one-dimensional code and its capability goes up to 20 numerical digits, whereas
a QR code is two-dimensional matrix barcode that is able to store thousands of
alphanumeric characters of data.
They look like this:
QR code |
The code
was invented in Japan
in 1994. Originally, it was designed for automotive industry (for Toyota ’s subsidiary,
Denso Wave) but nowadays they are used worldwide in consumer advertising and
packaging.
Now, let’s have a closer
look how they work. To read a QR code, you need to have a camera-enabled
smartphone. If you’ve already had one, then you only need to download a QR code
reader that is able to scan a code like that. (You can download one from the website of i-nigma or kaywa). From this point, the
whole process is just a piece of cake. You enter your ‘camera function’, let
your QR reader scan the code and hop! you are on the advertiser’s website
immediately. Once, the code is on your phone, you can have the latest
information straight from the horse’s mouth. You can obtain relevant details
about the given business or get the direction to there. Or you can find an URL
link which you can click on to see a movie trailer. In other cases, you can get
a coupon which is consumable in shops. The list is endless.
A card
company, for instance, uses QR codes in business:
You can use
QR codes in a number of ways. Here is a video for brainstorming:
And now, probably you get
some ideas what for you would use a QR code. Then, this is the time, I guess,
to generate your own code. You can do
that using kaywa again or studying a bit closer Google’s tool here.
Ok, so now you can easily grow your own business! ;) Go ahead!!
Wow, very thorough and informative!
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