Social Media Tool of the Month – QR Codes: Opening an entire world of possibilities with a very small black box

Have you begun to see more and more of these images around? If you haven’t, take notice  — they are beginning to pop up everywhere. On the ad in your magazine, on the back of the business card you just received, on the T-shirt of the person walking in front of you. These are just a few places you can find these 2-D barcodes. So what are they? They are “quick response codes” or more commonly, QR codes, and they are beginning to revolutionize the way we distribute and receive information. By scanning a QR code, you can be taken to any website the QR code owner wishes, or perhaps the code can immediately place a phone call or send a text to a pre-determined number.

QR codes have been around for quite awhile (they were developed by Toyota in 1994), but have recently been adopted in the United States. They are simple to generate and even simpler to use. Websites such as Kaywa offer a free QR code generator. To use them, you simply download a QR reader on your smartphone and with the app open, hold your camera over the code and explore the possibilities!

The possibilities are truly endless; it has almost become a game among QR code developers to find the most creative way to share their code. Yes, QR codes are in all kinds of interesting places, but what can they do for you and your business?

For starters, they can generate more visitors to your website, which will boost SEO, and we all know how important your Google Page Rank has become in the business world. QR codes have begun to take over the “Like” or “Follow” links for Facebook and Twitter. By placing a QR code instead of a link, it can take you directly to the site from your mobile phone, whereas before you may had to take the time to look up the link on your phone or wait until you got home (and most likely forgot). QR codes provide yet another way to engage with your audience and in turn, spark a conversation.

Second, with QR codes, the challenge of not having enough space for your information is gone. One postage-stamp sized QR code can open a world of information for your audience. At the same time, you are able to broaden your content distribution and share information that may have otherwise been overlooked or misplaced. A great example of this is the placing of a QR code right on product packaging, and having it lead to more information and where or how to buy. With some creativity the possibilities of QR codes seem virtually endless.

Keep your eyes peeled for these codes throughout your day. Who knows, perhaps we will soon see QR codes used like this. And let us know: What are some of the most creative QR codes you have seen or have placed yourself?