You're trying to convince your boss to transition away from old school print media, but old habits die hard. What do you do to boost website traffic, convert more leads, and grow your social media presence using direct mail and flyers? Get a QR code on those print materials!
Although QR codes (quick response barcodes) are no longer brand spankin' new to the marketing scene, they have become more widely utilized, and the barrier to entry is lower than many marketers might think. Not only that, there's a multitude of creative uses for QR codes that help engage others with your brand and bridge the gap between outbound and inbound marketing. So here’s how you can get started with your first foray into creating QR codes that will bring your print media into an inbound marketing world.
4 Steps to Create a QR Code
1. Find a QR Code Generator
There are many out there, but the key is finding the right one for your needs. Some things to look for when choosing a QR code generator are whether you can track and analyze performance, if it allows you to design a code that is unique to your brand, and if it is compatible with common QR code readers. Although there are many other options out there, here are three to consider checking out.
Kaywa: With Kawya you can customize your design for free, and the paid version allows you to track performance. The codes can link to a web page, text, phone numbers, or SMS.
GOQR.me: Also free with an option for paid premium service, this generator allows you to “read” to text, URL, phone number, SMS, or vCard. Read on for an example of linking to a vCard, which allows people to save your contact information easily and immediately when “reading” the QR code.
Microsoft Tag: The cool thing about Microsoft Tag versus many other generators is the ability to have a color QR code rather than just black and white. It's also free for all services, including limited analysis of people viewing and going to the tagged item.
2. Create, Design, and Link It Up
The fun part of creating QR codes is customizing the design of the codes to your brand. Want your code to look like your logo? Go for it. Want it to reflect your website's design scheme? No problem.
But after that's said and done, the most important thing to consider is your end goal. What do you want to accomplish when someone actually uses your QR code? If you're at an event, for example, you might want to distribute business cards with a code on them that automatically links to your vCard so it's easy to save your contact information. On the other hand, you may be gunning for more leads, so perhaps you should link to a landing page on your website to download the awesome presentation you just gave. Keep your end goal in mind when creating QR codes, and just like any call-to-action, make it worthwhile for the scanner.
3. Test It
In all the excitement of creating your first QR code, don't forget to check to see if the QR code “reads” correctly, and be sure to try more than just one reader. A good place to start is the free tool Google Goggles, which takes a picture and then tells you what link or item it “reads to.” Another great free tool is QR Code Reader, which automatically takes you to whatever it “reads.” Both are easy to use and available for multiple smartphones.
4. Track and Analyze
Just like any marketing campaign, track and analyze how much traffic comes from each specific code. Are people scanning your code but not redeeming their offer once they get to your landing page? Or are they not even compelled enough to scan your QR code? Knowing this will help you troubleshoot and adjust your poorly performing QR codes to more closely mirror those that work well.
QR codes are a low cost way of engaging your audience across multiple mediums. If you didn't jump on the QR code bandwagon when they first hit the scene, that's okay! Start brainstorming creative ways to use this hip new tool to give (and gather) information, drive traffic to your website, get more leads, and potentially engage a whole new audience.
Have you used a QR code for your company? Share the creative ways you've used QR codes, and what results you've seen!
Image credit: ell brown
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Andrew Clinkman 5:47 PM on December 15, 2011
It's interesting how behind the ball our mobile marketing is. I'm obsessed with QR codes and I find myself scanning them for no reason at all. However, I find that the problem with them is that people are not aware of what they are/how to use them.
Yesterday, on my ketchup bottle, voila a QR code. I was able to show everyone at the table what that little code did.
Here's to hoping more people d/l QR Reader apps
Matt Jones 6:01 PM on December 15, 2011
Good article, but a few key players left out that are really making a difference with QR code marketing are QRlicious and QRstuff. QRlicious makes designed QR codes, and mobile landing pages, as QRstuff tracks and changes URL's.
JJ 6:07 PM on December 15, 2011
QR Codes are fantastic! I just started to use them for our country club, we are sending refrigerator magnets with a code so members can scan and get our weekly specials, weekly buffet menus and more. We are using them in our monthly newsletter so members can scan and see our monthly video golf and tennis tips, we use them for wedding ads to show photo albums, menus etc. However, I agree that the difficult part is getting people to scan, even after I knew what they were it took me awhile to start scanning them. It is important to put them in places where people have time to scan them and look at the link.
Lynley 7:38 PM on December 15, 2011
I love the idea of linking media - putting a hotlink into a printed page or card.
QRs are moving so fast though. Six months back people thought you were clever to use a standard QR code. Now it has to be in colour, composed of circles instead of squares and with a logo in the design, and tracked - to at least tell you how many hits there have been. Still all do-able and free - thank you Denso and friends.
Dave 10:22 PM on December 15, 2011
Couple other things to look for: the ability to show multiple images, and a video, on the QR code's landing page. Photos and videos look great on today's smartphones, and they tell a more compelling story than just text.
Akos Fintor 12:15 AM on December 16, 2011
Sweet,
Local small business owners LUV QR codes. They put them everywhere; cars, business cards, website, t-shirt....
They think it is a new concept but if I remember correctly it was created first by Mitsubishi waaaaaaaay back.
anyways
thanks for the share
Akos
Jon Freeman 12:40 AM on December 16, 2011
We have some very interesting ways of using QR codes that should be mentioned. Barcode4.com allows your business to create a mobile version of your existing site and track, analyze, generate unlimited QR codes directly to pages, etc.
Barcode4.me (bc4.me) is a free personal QR code site that consolidates your vCard, contact information and more behind a cloud based QR code site you can update at any time in the future.
Lots of great ideas and ways to use QR codes with more coming soon.
Follow us on Twitter - @Barcode4Mobi and @Barcode4Me
Lynley 12:53 AM on December 16, 2011
Origins: http://www.denso-wave.com/qrcode/index-e.html
Patent: http://www.denso-wave.com/qrcode/faqpatent-e.html
They sound like nice people:)
Jerrick @ Singapore Web Hosting 2:39 AM on December 16, 2011
Is that we only can track it with the url we generate or is there any software to track how the traffic from QR code?
Lee Kirkby 9:51 AM on December 16, 2011
I have used bit.ly to generate QR Codes and it give you the tracking ability as well. Another resource to try. Testing is critical however as positioning on your printed material affects the results of scanning.
PJ Naughton 10:45 AM on December 16, 2011
QR codes are a perfect fit for:
1. trade show product identification stands
2. Print advertisements
3. business cards
Heliodor 11:22 AM on December 16, 2011
For even more options and more types of QR codes, you should check out the QR code generator at http://coderqr.com.
Card Swapp 1:13 PM on December 19, 2011
I would like to inform you about a new iPhone and Android app that uses QR code as a business card. When you change your phone number or information, all of your contacts will receive the updated information on their phones instantly.
Card Swapp App (iPhone and Android)
http://cardswapp.com/
QR Code Generation 12:42 AM on December 21, 2011
Thanks for this timely post, Corey Eridon. Thanks to share these useful steps with us. I agree with you, QR codes helps us to engage with our brand and bridge the gap between outbound and inbound marketing.
Barcode Generation Componenet 1:41 AM on January 12, 2012
http://www.keepautomation.com/products/net_barcode/barcodes/qrcode.html19. This is really attention-grabbing, You’re a very professional blogger. I’ve joined your rss feed and stay up for searching for more of your fantastic post. Also, I’ve shared your web site in my social networks!
Sadie Lankford 10:04 AM on January 12, 2012
I just created a QR Code for http://sadielankford.com - I'm excited to put it on my business cards!