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Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Technology Insight The Rising Trend of The QR Code as
a Marketing Tool
The QR Code,
abbreviation for the Quick Response Code, is a type of barcode defined by its
distinct square shape with smaller squares and monochromatic pixels. It was
invented in Japan by Toyota in 1994 to increase the efficiency of the
production of vehicles by scanning and tracking the vehicle components at high
speed during the manufacturing process. Today, these QR codes are gaining
increasing popularity as a marketing tool among companies
from a wide variety of industries. Most QR codes can be found on flyers,
brochures, newspapers, magazines, bus stop signs, posters, store windows,
product packaging and much more.
As QR codes are a
fairly recent trend, implementing them as part of your marketing
strategy will certainly spark the inquisition of customers. With the
rapid adoption of smartphones, many consumers may easily download the QR code
scanner application on their mobile devices for free. Providing incentives such as
exclusive coupons and offers via QR codes would certainly
entice consumers to do so.
Commercial
QR Codes are essentially hyperlinks. When scanned, the QR code will direct the
person who scanned it to a specific URL. Apart from coupons and offers,
consumers may also be provided with links about a product description, company information,
offer and contest details, event information, coupons, video(s), social media
pages and much more. QR codes allow consumers to interact with advertisements.
They are a fun way to immediately engage customers while allowing them to learn
more about your company and the services and/or products you offer.
This is a mobile
application targeted at post-secondary school students in Toronto. It
allows students to scan QR codes and receive exclusive discounts at participating stores which include a
wide variety of restaurants, cafes and clothing stores.
3) Starbucks
At
Starbucks, customers may scan QR codes as a form of micro-payment. Instead of an
actual gift card, virtual gift cards at Starbucks may also be
used via QR codes.
4)
McDonald's
In Japan,
McDonald's places QR codes on all their packaging to allow customers to
digitally view the nutritional information of each item purchased.
5) Virtual
store
In South
Korea, a grocery chain called Tesco Homeplus allows public transit commuters to
purchase groceries on the go at subway stations via multiple QR codes displayed
on billboards. Groceries purchased will be delivered to their doorsteps. In
August 2012, Tesco decided to internationally expand its virtual grocery store
by entering the UK market and establishing it at London's Gatwick
Airport.
Check out
this YouTube video about Tesco Homeplus' virtual store in S. Korea
While most
QR codes are paper-based hyperlinks, QR codes may also be placed on websites
and social media pages which direct visitors to exclusive discounts, product
and/or service information or even to purchase a product via their mobile
device.
For more
interesting articles on technologies, gadgets and social media or to gain business related tips, visit MYNYWEBDEVELOPER'
official site: http://www.mynywebdeveloper.com
D. Hodge and L. Nibbs are Marketing Executive for (mynywebdeveloper) and (syftkogtech), They are global B2B Web Developers
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