Learn How to Use QR Codes to Advertise Your Business
Have you ever heard of a QR code? It looks like a little box that has a maze is going on inside it. Similar to bar codes, these codes are also able to be scanned. Except, Quick Response codes are more powerful and can contain much more information than the traditional bar code. These codes started originally in the robotics industry and migrated over to the car manufacturing industry. The original bar code only holds information one way, whereas, QR codes hold information both vertically and horizontally. Today, smartphones are usually required to read these code symbols. Currently, less than 40% of people today own smartphones, and not everyone that owns a smartphone has a QR code reader application on their phone, even though they are free to download.
How to Generate a Quick Response Code?
Although it may look fairly complicated, it is actually quite easy to create your own QR code. Do you have a website or a social media account? If you answered yes, then these codes could be very beneficial to you or your business.
Step one: Go to your favorite search engine and type in QR Code Generator. You will see several links, click on one of these links. Now remember, these codes are free to create so you should not expect to have to pay anything to generate one.
Step two: The QR code generator will ask you to import a URL extension. A URL extension could be your entire web address to your homepage, or the web address to any page found within your website. Simply go to the page that you want to create a QR code for and highlight the entire text found within the browser box, click copy, and paste it into the box where it asks you to generate a Quick Response Code.
Step three: Click Generate Code and now you have your own code! Save the QR code to your computer documents or desktop for future use and easy accessibility. Note: Every time you enter the same URL it will always generate the same code. Basically, there is only one QR code generate per address.
Advertise Your Business!
You can print these codes on practically any form of marketing material. The code can be small or it can be large, however be careful when shrinking it too small or enlarging it too much due to pixel issues. QR codes are non-threatening, non-pressuring way to get your point across. Similar to billboards, these code symbols are a way to attract your audience without forcing your message on your audience. Your audience can then scan your code at their own leisure.
Business cards – typically contain graphics and text information. Adding a Quick Response code to your business card can be a great idea. You can only squeeze so much information on a business card. However, a code symbol the size of a finger-tip can provide thousands of times the information that a business card can.
Post Cards – are typically 4″x6″ or 3″x5″ in size. Post Cards are great because they can be mailed or handed out directly to your customers. With post cards, you can put a giant QR code symbol and just your web address underneath. This builds a huge level of intrigue and mystery! Since many people do not have smart phones, it is very important to make sure you include your web address. Most people do not like feeling left-out. If they cannot read your code, there is a good chance they will visit your web address.
T-Shirts – are cheap, and can be a great mobile advertisement for your company! T-shirts can be printed as low as $5 and can contain your company logo and information. Again, instead of saying too much, sometimes it is better to say little. Again this builds intrigue. Instead of placing your logo on your shirt, why not print a huge code with only your web address? It is very cost-efficient to use vinyl heat sealing and the images can be stretched and enlarged easily.
Billboards – Billboards are a great way to reach thousands or even hundreds of thousands of people. Traditionally, billboards contain several images and slogans. Billboard advertising can cost anywhere from $2,000 per month all the way up to $30,000 per month (O’Hare 190 w highway in Chicago). However, prices of billboards are fairly negotiable. Recently, a person rented a billboard in the Chicago area for 1 day. This same person printed a huge black and white banner with only a QR code and a web address. Within 24 hours this person had over 1 million hits on their website. Again, because most people could not scan the QR code (either because they do not have the application, or they did not have time to scan the billboard while driving) they decided to visit the website instead! This person tried something unorthodox and it worked out magnificently! Most billboards give people too much information and there is rarely a need to explore further. On the other hand, when information is lacking, people feel they need that closure and tend to investigate into that information even further. qr code