QR Codes - 30 Ways To Use Them

QR codes may help your online business. (And may even enhance your social and personal interactions.)

QR codes can make offline publications both interactive and mobile.

I'll provide idea stimulators.

QR codes can be printed anywhere images can be printed - on bilboards, in magazines, on product packaging, on web pages, in offline advertisements.

For the public, QR codes are easy to use. They simply point their phone's camera at it and take a picture.

Some will need an app to decode it. Other mobile phones have the functionality built in.

As QR codes become more popular in the United States, I expect more and more mobile phones sold to its populace to have built-in decoders. QR codes have been in use in Asian countries for about a decade and as of now are hugely popular in both Asia and Europe.

Not all QR code readers will correctly decode and act upon all QR codes. It depends on the software and the operating system it is running on. The QR Code Quality Standards Test is a good place to test a mobile phone's QR code reading ability.

A QR code is an image composed of black and white modules in a square pattern. It includes a margin of white all the way around. Here is an example.

If your mobile phone has the capability, the above QR code will create an email pre-addressed to me ready for sending.

QR codes can contain, as examples, links to automatically open a web page, email addresses to automatically open a pre-filled email window, geographic information to automatically generate a map, SMS messages to automatically send messages, telephone numbers to automatically dial a number, and any plain text content for the user to read.

Idea Stimulators

This list of ideas for using QR codes should stimulate more of your own.

Note: When printing, verify the printer is aware that the white border around the QR code is an integral part of the code.

Business Cards

Up to two QR codes can fit on the back of a 3½x2-inch sized business card.

• Information for a vCard can be put into a QR code (so contact information doesn't have to be thumbed into the address book).

• A QR code can present a map with directions to the business' location.

• A URL encoded in a QR code can open a web page listing the community events the business is sponsoring.

Coupons

There is lots of room for ideas related to coupons.

• A campaign promotes a QR code-exclusive coupon code.

• A QR code on product packaging provides a discount when product is purchased immediately.

• A QR code on product packaging leads to a web page of related products where a certain discount code can be used.

QR code coupons may be especially popular when it is for a product or service related to mobile phones and appealing to first adopters.

Events

Meetings, workshops, festivals, all need to get the word out.

• A QR code sends the browser to a web page with event details.

• A QR code can provide a plain text message with when, where, and other information.

• A map to the event can be provided with a QR code.

Any URL

Any web page URL can be represented in a QR code, printed anywhere a mobile phone camera can find it. A web page is opened at the URL.

• Link to a blog post.

• Link to a product page.
  
  (URL to a QR code generator.)

• Open a PayPal payment page.

Product Packaging

There are lots of opportunities here.

• A QR code leads to an instruction manual or video.

• A QR code opens the product registration form.

• A page of recipes or nutrition information can be loaded with a QR code.

Downloadable Products

Music, applications, videos, and other downloadable products can benefit from off-line printed QR codes.

• A QR code can cause a sample song to download and play.

• The purchase URL can be encoded into a QR code.

• A QR code leads to a specifications or sales page.

Books

The cover, copyright page, title page, and appendices can all contain QR codes.

• A web page with an author biography and/or research notes can be opened with a QR code.

• A QR code can lead to addendum or errata information.

• Study group meetings can be listed on a page opened with a QR code.

CDs and DVDs

QR codes can be printed on the package, on the disk and, if video is included, displayed on the video terminal for input by the mobile device.

• A QR code can lead to a tell-a-friend form, or an email opened ready for sending, to make it easy to recommend the product.

• Twitter, Facebook, and other social media sites can be opened with QR codes for the enthusiast to spread the word.

• A product page can be opened with a QR code where similar or advanced products can be purchased.

Birthday Cards

These are generally personal, which provides lots of opportunity for innovative QR codes.

• A QR code leads to a gift pickup URL.

• Scanning a QR code reveals a love poem.

• A personal video can be loaded with a QR code.

Wedding Invitations

Weddings often want to be traditional and QR codes may be a bit more innovative than the bride and groom feel comfortable with. For those who embrace the idea, QR codes can be used to make the wedding more memorable to those in attendance, or at least to those receiving wedding invitations.

• A QR code can lead to a web page with short biographies of family members, and larger biographies of the bride and groom.

• A map with route marked from ceremony to reception can be loaded with a QR code.

• A QR code can provide gift suggestions and delivery location.

A QR Code Generator

A QR code generator creates images that can be used to print QR codes. The Willmaster QR Code Generator is online and available for your use.

QR codes can make offline publications both interactive and mobile. Depending on your business, QR codes can help it grow. Some of the above ideas may be used to enhance your social or personal interactions.

Will Bontrager