QR Codes are usually a two dimensional computer code that are scanned by a smartphone to immediately pull up info like URLs, phone number, video clips, photos, tunes, textual content etc QR stands for ‘Quick Response’ and they were originally produced in Japan by a organization named Denso-Wave in 1994.
In essence QR codes are 2 dimensional bar codes that can be read both vertically and horizontally. The codes consist of a grid of tiny squares. This allows for far more data to be encoded in a much smaller space than a conventional bar code. The codes are readable by smartphones and QR scanners.
Initially they were used to track car parts in Japan, where they are very popular, but now they have a much wider commercial use within the digital world. They can be added to a business card or an email to send someone with a reader directly to your website. So, whereas a bar code pretty much can only identify a product and needs a special device to be scanned, QR codes can embed much more information and trigger an action when read such as downloading a music file or launching a website directly on your phone. Imagine how easy this make it for someone to go to your website, without the bother of actually typing in the url, especially useful if you have a less than memorable or difficult to spell web address.
Some widespread uses of QR codes: Contact data – add all your contact data including phones numbers, business address, page as well as electronic mail Name tags: Add all your info to a person’s name tag at a conference and also colleagues can just scan it to download all a person’s details. Art: Street artist Banksy has a piece of work in a disused railway tunnel in London which consists of a coding system, when scanned this codification takes you directly to his Wikipedia web page. Shop Windows: In the US Google is distributing code decals to small businesses on Google Places, to be positioned in the store windows for passers-by to scan.
QR codes are still fairly alien to most people, so make it a little easier for them by adding something of value. Don’t just send them to your website when scanned, maybe send them to a special offer page, just for users of the codes, add something of value to encourage your users.
Whatever you decide to do enjoy using a person’s codes and start being creative as they are probably going to become extremely popular as more people surf the internet on their mobile phones.
Mark Boardman BSc dip.hyp is a leading author and SEO specialist offering Expert SEO services. For more information and to discover What Are QR Codes? check this site now.