Welcome to the Kleber & Associates blog! Here’s the latest on High Speed Barcodes: Cracking QR Code Usage
Last week’s KBIS show seemed decked out in black and white, as many exhibiting brands strategically posted barcodes for instant access to online information. I’ve written about QR codes before, but feel the need to tackle the subject again, as their use is becoming much more widespread in our industry.
Imagine not having to manually key text in to your phone to get online.
Thanks to Quick Response, or QR, codes, users can connect to the internet much faster and without typing the text in.
QR codes are basically high speed barcodes. Unlike normal barcodes, they are black matrixes arranged in a square pattern on a white background.
QRs connect to the internet when scanned with a smartphone. The phone must be equipped with a camera and appropriate QR code reader application. The information encoded can be text, URL or other data.
These two-dimensional codes are great for making marketing campaigns unique. QR codes can be printed on any type of marketing material and make information online more accessible.
A recent American Printer article called “QR Codes 101” gave tips on how to properly execute QR codes in marketing plans.
Here are a few of those tips:
1. Test, test and test
You don’t want your customers to have a bad experience with QR codes on your material. Test codes with several mobile devices to make sure that they work.
2. Make it easy
Many consumers may not know what QR codes are or how to use them. Have descriptive instructions in your marketing, but keep them user-friendly.
3. Consider size
The more data encoded on the code, the higher the pixel count. Too much data means that the mobile reader can’t resolve the code. Keep your codes simple.
For more details about QR codes and more tips on how to crack their usage, definitely read “QR Codes 101”. Perhaps, one day all marketing campaigns will include these “2-D sensations.” For now, your business could be ahead of the game!
*Check back for our recap of this year’s Kitchen & Bath Industry Show
