What are QR codes?
Quick Response codes (QR codes) have achieved widespread use this year. Consumers want immediate access to information and QR codes are being used to make that possible.
If you’re not yet familiar with QR codes, they’re similar to the barcodes used by retailers to track inventory and price products at the point of sale. The key difference between the two is the amount of data they can hold or share. Bar codes are linear one-dimensional codes and can only hold up to 20 numerical digits, whereas QR codes are two-dimensional (2D) matrix barcodes that can hold thousands of alphanumeric characters of information. Their ability to hold more information and their ease of use makes them practical for small businesses.
How QR Codes Work
When you scan or read a QR code with your iPhone, Android, Blackberry or other camera-enabled Smartphone, you can link to digital content on the web; activate a number of phone functions including email and SMS, and connect the mobile device to a web browser. The ability of QR codes to connect people with each other and to multimedia digital content is very useful for businesses and consumers alike.
Most Smartphones come complete with an installed QR code reader. The QR code reader application that works well on iPhone is i-nigma, which accommodates virtually any type of camera phone. For the android, you can also try Neo-Reader or Barcode Scanner. If you already own the popular price-checking app Red Laser, they’ve adapted their technology to accommodate QR code reading.
Practical Uses of QR Codes
- Front and back of your business card.
- Brochures and other marketing materials.
- The sides of cars, trucks and trailers.
- Product tags and packaging
- Exhibition and event nametags
- Restaurant menus
- Event ticket stubs
- Point-of-sale receipts
The potential for QR Codes is limitless. What’s most exciting is how they take what social media is doing well now, bringing people together with technology, and extending it to enhance the experience.
Have a browse around QR Label’s product range or even try out our free business card, and if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us here.