Posted on August 29, 2011

Roll Out Your Fall/Winter Campaign with QR Codes

Quick Response (QR) codes have become a powerful source of engagement in online and offline campaigns. As the number of smartphone users skyrockets, marketers should find creative ways to implement QR codes into their next big campaign.

What Are QR Codes

QR codes are two-dimensional barcodes that are read by smartphones. Similar to regular barcodes, they were first used to keep track of inventory. But due to their efficiency and capacity for information storage, the codes have emerged as an impactful marketing tactic.

There are a number of QR code generators. Once generated, the codes are strategically placed on diverse mediums and read by smartphone apps. This allows companies to share information and marketing initiatives with the public.

KIMBO Design’s QR code

Digital image of a normal QR code

How to use QR codes in your campaign

Marketers can implement QR codes in creative ways in order to engage their target audience.

Customization: Some QR code generators allow users to customize the format and colour of their codes. This option allows marketers to match their codes with their company or campaign branding.

Placement: QR codes can be placed pretty much anywhere. This makes it easy for campaigns to connect with their target audience.They have been placed on the following mediums for maximum engagement:

Mobile website
Product packaging
Window and outdoor signage
Television ads
Company vehicles
T-shirts
Company stationery

URLs: The codes are a call-to-action for your campaign. In addition to driving traffic to your campaign website, you can also link to the following destination URLs:

Facebook page
Blog post
Image, music clip or video
Sign up or feedback form

Examples of Creative QR Code Use

You can track your code scans via analytic websites such as QRStuff.com. Food decoration is another example of creative code use. These codes link to the bakery’s website:

Photo Credit: Fast Company

For more great ideas, consult this list of fun code ideas. And if you want to get really inspired, check out N Building’s QR code façade!

Usage and Statistics

Still not convinced? Let the statistics sway you.

This pie chart demonstrates the percentage of smartphones and devices around the world that were equipped with a QR code reader for the first half of 2011:

Pie chart of the different operating system QR codes are used in

Image Credit: YouScan.me
This bar graph shows the growth of QR code usage from Q4/2009 – Q1/2011:

Graph that shows the increase of uses of QR codes each year starting in 2009

Image Credit: 3GVision

Make it simple and easy to connect

With such a rapid increase in the use of smartphones and engagement with social media, this tool can put you well on your way to that ROI you’ve been aiming for.