Inbound Internet Marketing Blog

SEO, Blogging, Social Media, Landing Pages, Lead Generation and Analytics

SUBSCRIBE

The HubSpot Inbound Internet Marketing blog covers all of inbound marketing - SEO, blogging, social media, lead generation, email marketing, lead nurturing & management, and analytics. Join 53,183 others and subscribe now!

Subscribe to RSS feed Add us on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter

Get Free Marketing Info!

Get the world's best marketing resources right to your inbox! Join more than 817,000 inbound marketers!

Subscribe by email

Your email:

Listen to this blog!

HubSpot's Inbound Internet Marketing Blog

Current Articles | RSS Feed RSS Feed

7 Key Mobile Barcode Stats for Marketers [New Data]

 

.

One of the challenges for many marketers is bridging the gap between online and offline information. An emerging tool that some businesses are choosing to adopt is the mobile barcode, often called QR Codes or 2D Barcodes. These barcodes appear in offline materials such as product packaging, advertisements, magazines, and other materials to allow interested consumers to acquire additional information online.

People with smartphones have barcode readers that can scan a mobile barcode to perform an action. Typically, a mobile barcode will hold a small piece of information or an action. For example, a person could scan a barcode to watch a video, visit a website, get a text message, call a phone number, or perform other actions. As a marketer, it is easy to understand the value of connecting these actions with offline marketing efforts. But what are the best practices for their use?

Emarketer has compiled data on mobile barcode usage that can provide guidance for mobile barcode best practices.

7 Key Mobile Barcode Stats for Marketers

1. Microsoft Tag is the leading technology used for mobile barcodes.

Mobile Bar Code Types resized 600

2. U.S. tops growth in mobile barcode adoption.

Mobile Barcode Growth resized 600

3. Print materials lead the way for QR code placement.

mobile barcode locations resized 600

4. Andriod users have used mobile barcodes 9% more than iPhone users.

mobile barcode os resized 600

5. Deals and additional information are the top uses for mobile barcodes.

mobile barcode actions resized 600

6. Mobile barcodes are low on the list for ways consumers want to receive coupons.

Mobile Barcodes Coupon resized 600

7. 64% of mobile barcode users are women.

Mobile Barcode Demographics resized 600

Which of these data points helped you better understand mobile barcode best practices?

Mobile Webinar CTA

Posted by Kipp Bodnar on Wed, May 04, 2011 @ 11:47 AM

COMMENTS

I am with you on every stat except for
1. Microsoft Tag is the leading technology used for mobile barcodes.
Refer to the chart "Used by top 100 US Magazines".
Is number three (3) referencing QR codes only? Not including Microsoft Tags?
In store product placement will be the catalyst for QR codes. More info, instant discounts etc. 
 
 
 

posted on Wednesday, May 04, 2011 at 12:04 PM by Phil Crampe


The first infographic is very questionable. We've taken on countless hours of research regarding QR Codes and the data stating that the Microsoft Tag holding 81.6% of the magazine market is laughable. Perhaps we're not reading any of the top 100 publications? 
 
While it's certainly tough to ascertain the exact market share of either 2D Barcode, I can't think of any compelling reason that anyone would want to use the Microsoft code given the few devices that can scan them.

posted on Wednesday, May 04, 2011 at 12:07 PM by Joe M


Joe, Phil- I agree, it's likely that Mirosoft Tag adoption by consumers doesn't nearly match the magazine usage rate. I just reviewed the Nellymoser study that was referenced in the graphic. They got their data by looking at the top 100 magazines by circulation in the US for the months of September, October and November 2010. It's worth noting that to get numbers like that it'd probably just take one P&G-like or similar entity probably integrated Microsoft Tag across all their ad buys during part of that time period. Who knows what happened, but I bet they didn't get too many scans compared to ads with QR Codes :)

posted on Wednesday, May 04, 2011 at 12:45 PM by Walter Elly


I'm new to QR marketing, and have a meeting in two days to discuss starting this at the college where I work. So should I be looking into QR codes, or Microsoft Tags? Help a newbie out!

posted on Wednesday, May 04, 2011 at 3:57 PM by Lola Rephann


Being a European I find these figures quite interesting but I wonder to which degree they are applicable to the European marketplace, which is quite different from the North American after all. However, I still see quite some value in the information to get a rough estimate of the situation. 
 
@Lola I would go for QR. It's known worldwide and it's open source, which means that the API required for software implementation is available for free. Don't know if you need that now but it's always recommended to consider scalability when you choose a basic framework.

posted on Wednesday, May 04, 2011 at 4:38 PM by Stephan de Paly


I wonder to which degree they are applicable to the European marketplace...I agree, it's likely that Mirosoft Tag adoption by consumers doesn't nearly match the magazine usage rate...........While it's certainly tough to ascertain the exact market share of either 2D Barcode..... 
 
 
 
 
 

posted on Thursday, May 05, 2011 at 1:31 AM by junaidraziq


These will be handy for business cards! I hate typing stuff in to my contacts.

posted on Thursday, May 05, 2011 at 2:08 AM by Ralph Vugts


Water Fountains Direct has a wide variety of indoor and outdoor decorative water fountains for you to choose from. The beauty of these fountains, along with the quiet soothing sound of running water, will transfigure your home, garden, patio or office into a relaxing environment. Whether you are looking for a traditional classic design or a modern contemporary look, we’ve got it. We strive to be the best online retailer of water fountains by providing a user friendly and easy to navigate website, free shipping, price matching, and excellent customer service. 
http://www.waterfountainsdirect.comwater fountain

posted on Thursday, May 05, 2011 at 7:52 PM by hitlor


Comments have been closed for this article.