QR Codes: One way to support offline marketing, promotions and PR by allowing people to take action immediately
These square bar codes are appearing everywhere these days, but what do they do? Here’s an example:
After my meal I scanned a QR code as I left the restaurant. It took me to a SMS opt-in landing page. After popping in my details I received a discount coupon for my next visit – by text. From that point on I was also able to book a table using a text-only number. Nice!
A QR code is a 2D code that can be read by a smart phone once a QR reader is downloaded. The black square modules on a white background contain a bar code. Using QR codes is easy: they can be scanned vertically or horizontally, as the data is stored in either direction.
They can incorporate text, phone numbers, email, SMS, hyperlinks and much more.
Growth in QR Code use in the UK estimated to be 1600% year on year. People love to scan them!
Your ‘one-click-link’ to the mobile web
If you need ideas and you have a smart phone, start scanning QR Codes when you see them in magazines or adverts.
Here are some examples of what a QR Code could link to:
- A Bing map featuring GPS directions and contact details to you company’s office locations. Direct mail, adverts, posters, t-shirts and street facing signs can all be good places to put them
- 50 expert insights on a landing page linked to your mobile website. Click-to-Call, Click-to-Social Media and links to your website help the landing page drive traffic to your mobile site
- A V-card allowing your essential details to be downloaded directly into your new contact’s phone
- Add a SMS Opt-In form to a customised landing page. By entering their phone number the user can receive their limited coupon to redeem in-store
- A mobile landing page. By entering their mobile number the user can receive a text only number that they can use to schedule a Skype conversation, appointment or booking
- A video that demonstrates your product, which is linked to a click-to-purchase button
- A priority business listing: Google Places, Facebook Business, Bing Business Portal or your Yahoo! Local page
- A interactive, media rich HTML 5 advert
Anything on the mobile web can be reached by scanning a QR Code: Social media profiles, Polls, webcams, audio content, downloadable documents, you-tube videos….
You can have QR Codes integrated into your marketing strategy when you work with us on your mobile ad campaigns, email marketing, local search optimisation, social media campaigns and call tracking.
Note: For people that don’t scan QR Codes, SMS campaigns are a great alternative.
