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Information at the click of a mouse, in the palm of your hand—and now by the scan of a code? That’s right. QR codes, short for quick response codes, are those small barcode look-a-like things that you may have seen in the corner of advertisements, magazines, or billboards that literally connect you to information when scanned. These two-dimensional codes are more than just funny looking black and white squares. When scanned by a smartphone’s QR reader, the code directs you to a landing page where you can view videos, promotional content, or other information.
While QR codes are just beginning to gain popularity in the U.S., they have actually been around since the 1990’s. Created in Japan by Toyota in 1994, QR codes were originally used to track automotive parts as they were distributed to various manufacturers across the world. Now, they have become mobile-friendly ways to instantly connect people to online resources. Fast-food restaurants place them on food and beverage containers to connect consumers to their product’s nutritional information. It’s a tool that businesses use to engage consumers with their brand by placing them on business cards or brochures to drive traffic to their website, social media platforms, and to coupons or discount codes.
Hospitals are also using QR codes in many ways: on their hospital directories to give people directions to various locations, introduce new services or facilities, and promote teen health education. QR codes are emerging on print campaigns to promote new physicians directing viewers to a YouTube interview with that physician or to promote a service line with a patient video testimonial. Caution must be used; however, because thought and creativity are essential when including a QR code in promotions. It's work to scan a barcode, so users have higher expectations as to what content they will find.
If you think QR codes are just a fad, consider this; now you no longer have to find the nearest computer, or spend time Google searching on your phone to access information because QR codes allow you to be directly connected no matter where you are, and with the rising number of smartphone users, QR code usage rates have steadily increased. Businesses, organizations, and marketers are also seeing the value because they can track user engagement by seeing the number of people who scanned their code, how much time they spent on their site, and what they are doing on their site. That data can be analyzed and used to make decisions about future marketing campaigns. In today’s world that relies heavily on hand held devices to access information, QR codes are definitely something to look out for.
Have you utilized QR Codes for your organization? Have you ever scanned a QR Code?
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Like in many other areas of business and mobile commerce, we can expect that scanning QR codes in the hospital environment will appeal mostly to folks under 35, who will then lead their parents and everyone else!
Posted by: Lisa Bowen | May 29, 2011 at 04:27 PM
I've also notice this and I think that it's really great.
Posted by: experiential marketing | December 19, 2011 at 11:20 PM
Once again a great job....Always very informative and well thought out. Look forward to the next one!Your advice is very useful. Thank you
Posted by: Routers | February 06, 2013 at 03:36 AM