21 QR Code Frequently Asked Questions

QR codes seem to be the latest craze these days among many marketers (and with good reason). The opportunity is increasing with more smartphones invading our society and Fortune 500 companies running QR code campaigns. Here's a FAQ with questions that should clear up any questions or misconceptions you have.

1. What are QR codes?

QR codes are like a barcode. The difference now is smartphones can now read the barcodes and perform certain functions, like allowing someone to add contact information or visit a website on their phone. Think of them as an alternative way to get text into the phone so someone doesn't have to manually type it out. They bridge the gap between the real world and the digital world. They allow consumers to interact and engage with your brand on a very personal device which they have with them at nearly all times.

2. Where did QR codes come from?

QR codes were created by a Toyota subsidiary, Denso-Wave, in 1994. They're mainstream in places like Japan. Although QR codes were initially used for tracking parts in vehicle manufacturers, they now have a much broader use.

3. Why are they important?

QR codes are important because they allow businesses to engage and interact with their customers in a fresh new way. They create convenience for the smartphone-equipped consumer and ultimately save time. Plus, there is a cool factor and something unique about scanning a barcode and having it deliver content to the most used electronic device: the phone. It's psychologically different than taking a flyer and walking out the door. It connects us to information that we can store in our pocket at all times.

4. How can they help my business?

QR code engagement could bring a unique experience that has the potential to create buzz, word-of-mouth marketing, and ultimately new leads. They can also create customer loyalty when you meet consumers where they are: on their smartphone. QR codes have breathed life into print. Think about the buzz that could be created and the story you can plant in the minds of your customers. Or maybe you want to tell your story through mobile video and QR codes and turn people into brand advocates because they realize the deeper meaning behind what you're doing. Mobile technology and QR codes make that possible

5. How do they work?

Once someone recognizes the QR code, they can scan the QR code with a QR code scanning app. Some of the Android phones today are coming pre-loaded with this type of app (specifically, Barcode Scanner). We do link to a mobile site we built with brief info on QR codes for someone who wants to learn more at http://QRme.in. This way, someone can go to this site on their mobile browser to learn a little bit more about QR codes and also have one touch access to download apps for Android, iPhone, and Blackberry devices. For Android we recommend Barcode Scanner. iPhone has i-Nigma and Blackberry has QR Code Scanner Pro in app world.

6. How much does it cost?

What if I told you a lot of this  you can create for free? You can. We're so used to paying for things... but disruptive business models and open source is changing the way we think about the tools. Facebook? Free. Twitter? Free. QR codes? Aha, free (unless you need custom work and/or want convenience/simplicity in QR code management). If you want custom work done, shoot us a message.

7. How do I create and track QR codes?

Due to the open nature of QR codes (the encoding and decoding code is publicly available), there are many online QR code generators around. If you're looking to link someone to a URL and want to track the number of scans, we recommend using bit.ly. If you want to create a QR code with contact info or the other things they support, you can use our own QR code generator.

Tracking is important, but I wouldn't obsess over it too much. Partly because you never know when that one early adopter who scans your code has influence to over thousands of people and is able to help spread a story. On that note, tracking is still a good idea. Here's an article on how to track with bit.ly and Google's URL shortener supports QR codes too.

8. Is it possible to customize a QR code?

Yes! You can custom brand a QR code with a brand logo, change some colors, and more. QR codes have 30% error correction so there is some wiggle room for adjustments (although not a lot). We're going to write a blog post on how exactly to customize QR codes in Photoshop and GIMP soon.

9. What types of data can QR codes contain?

QR codes support 9 data types: Contact information, calendar event, e-mail address, phone number, geo location, SMS, plain text (sentences), wifi network key, and a link to a URL. For specifics and further detail, learn more here.

10. What can QR codes be used for?

Anything and everything. You are limited by nothing but your creativity. Think business cards, flyers, billboards, comics, education, articles in magazine/newspaper, for sale signs, comment cards, presentations, clothing, television, books, outdoor games, direct mail, instruction manual, interactive menus, cereal boxes, products, Facebook, coupons, name tags, and more. If you want specifics on all of this, check out our blog post on the 27 ways to use QR codes.

11. What different things can I do with QR codes? I need some ideas!

If you're looking to get the creative juices going, I'd first recommend learning about what QR codes are capable of (answered above). Then, learn about the different uses (also answered) above. There are some more ideas on a post we wrote about QR code uses for restaurants. Some of this is applicable to other businesses too. Want more? Tweet us for a twitstorm (brainstorming session on Twitter). Yes, I made that up right now. ;)

12. QR codes sound great, but what's the disadvantages? What do I need to be aware of?

The disadvantages with QR codes are awareness and smartphone penetration. Companies like Calvin Klein, FOX, Google, PEPSI, JC Penny, Starbucks, GAP, bit.ly, AOL, Target, and several others are using QR codes. This builds consumer awareness and increases opportunity. Smartphones outsold PCs in the fourth quarter of last year. Nielsen predicts that there will be more smartphones than non-smartphones in the US by the end of this year. These facts, predictions, and the general progression of evolving technology points to a future filled with superphones and opportunity.

13. Are there any best practices I need to know about?

QR codes are fairly new and there isn't a common standard of best practices. We shared our 7 best practices on our blog recently. In short, they are:

- Keep QR code size large

- Implement Twitter/Facebook share icons

- Set-up tracking

- Have a call to action

- Link to something that stays around

- Make the landing page mobile-friendly

- Be creative

Check out the post for more info.

14. How many people know how to scan them?

I can link to fancy infographics like this. Or I can tell you nearly 1 in 3 Americans own a smartphone. I can mention that equates to 63 million people in the United States. I can mention the 20% of Fortune 500 companies implementing QR codes and mobile solutions. Smartphone penetration and awareness is on the rise.

Can I tell you exactly the number of people who are aware of what a QR code is? Nope. Keep in mind, mostly early adopters know of them. If you're targeting a social media savvy audience and heavily use Twitter and Facebook to engage with others, there may be an increased chance they'll know about them. If you execute a great QR code campaign, you can create a story for early adopters who may also have influence over others in networks like Twitter. Give them a message to spread.

15. I'm not sure how many people in my area know about QR codes. Should I use them?

The best way to figure this out is to try it and see. You can wait for estimated black and white statistics and numbers and try everything to justify it. Or, for free, in less than 10 minutes, you can create a QR code linking to your Facebook fan page and track it with bit.ly to gauge interaction. Post this on a flyer or in-store sign. Be sure and follow our 7 QR Code Best Practices.

16. How do I run the QR code promotional?

This is a great question - and we'll go into specifics on a blog post soon. In short, the problem with QR codes which you have control over is awareness. So, be sure to educate people. Write a blog post about it, tweet about it, and share on Facebook about it. We link to http://QRme.in on our stuff so people can go there on their mobile phone if interested. A compelling call to action will help with conversation rates as well.

17. Does my QR code have to be any certain size?

Somewhat. I've seen people say they can be from 1/3 square inches to 1 square inch. It really depends on the phones being used, so you have to consider lowest common denominator. Even then, I've tried scanning QR codes on old phones and they scan well. I'd error on the side of making them too large than too small just in case. For example, if on a business card, make them take up a full size (with padding around the sides). If in doubt and you want to experiment, be sure and scan with several phones.

18. What can I find out about people who scan my QR code?

You can find out about the type of phone that they have and their location if you use a mobile website (although, it prompts for location and can be considered an annoyance). Other than that, age, demographic, and other types of information cannot easily be determined. If you create personalized QR codes for each person individually (eg. on mailers) or different groups of people, you can gain some statistics this way. This would be done by including something special in the URL with each QR code for tracking purposes.

19. What about QR code security?

This is a very interesting question. It's something I hadn't pondered until someone brought it up when I was speaking on the subject of QR codes. I'd say you need to scan smart. Just like you need to surf the Internet smart and be smart about downloading apps on your phone. For example, download apps with lots of ratings and/or comments. Surf websites from trusted sources, etc. Smartphones are bringing about a whole new era of malware with completely new (scary) possibilities.

When you scan something, makes sure it's from a trusted source. If it's in a place that could be easily tampered, possibly run your hand over the QR code to make sure it wasn't replaced by a sticker that links to malware. Also, it'd be nice to look at the URL of where the QR code takes you before you go there. Some QR code readers do this. I don't suspect we'll see a lot of QR code security issues soon, but it's something to be aware of.

20. How does a QR code differ from Augmented Reality (AR) and Near Field Communication (NFC)?

Some people say that QR codes won't take off because augmented realtiy or NFC will replace them.

Augmented reality is when the real world is overlayed with digital data. Imagine holding up your camera phone and seeing through the camera with digital content overlayed on it. An app called Layar does this, and it allows you to, for instance, point your phone in different directions and see restaurants in that direction. This gets really interesting when you think about holding up your phone in front of the hood of your car and being able to learn how to change your fluids. Or maybe holding up the phone in a market and finding exactly where in the store that item is. There are many applications here.

NFC, or Near Field Communication, is a wireless technology that allows you to exchange data between two devices over a 10cm or 4in distance. Think about using them to open a hotel door or to pay for goods (instead of using a credit card). Or maybe you want to buy something from a vending machine. Check this out for specifics.

Augmented Reality overlays useful info on the world around you at that exact point-of-experience whereas QR codes link you to useful info (contact info/web/etc). Augmented Reality combines the real world with the digital world, whereas QR codes provide the bridge to digital world.

21. I'd like some more ideas or want to do something special. Where do I go?

We'd love to brainstorm with you. Reach out on our contact page or tweet us up @notixtech!

Did you have a question we didn't address? Let us know in the comments.