What is a QR code or mobile phone barcode code?
QR Codes (Quick Response codes or 2D barcodes) are the apparently meaningless patterned squares you see on some print adverts in newspapers, magazines, flyers, etc . Using this square code (similar to a barcode), a business can provide contact details to potential customers who scan the code into their phone using the built-in camera and an ‘app’ (application) decodes the details.
Instead of having to write down, tap or type in business contact details such as name, website address or phone number and offer details a potential customer just takes a photo of the QR code. A QR code can be in any form suitable for photographing on a reasonably flat suface, whether it be an email, t-shirt, promotional offer, or a billboard. A potential customer can use their phone to scan the code and be taken immediately, or later, to the advertised website or call made.
QR Codes are an effective marketing tool because they are so time saving and convenient and tap into an increasing use of mobile phones, smartphones, iPads and other tablet PCs and similar devices.
Examples of how businesses have used QR Codes:
Insurance: Quotations by mobile or smart phone
Retailers: Download coupons, watch a video, access exclusive offers and discounts,
Pharmacies: fullfill prescriptions
Hotels: Take a virtual tour and make reservations
Most modern phones with a camera come eqipped with a QR Code reader and application built-in. If a phone does not have one it can be downloaded for free from your phone manufacturer’s or operating system provider’s website.
QR codes store alphanumeric data in up to 4296 characters. The international standard is ISO 18004, so a QR code should be readable all over the world, however, different countries, phone networks and manufacturers have embraced QR Codes to varying degrees and in different ways.
QR Code Smartphone Apps And Phone Software
While QR codes themselves should conform to an ISO standard, it also requires app developers to comply with standards. Some independent apps ahve been developed and distributed so quickly that they may not decode anything containing information more complex than a simple website URL. If you intend to implement a QR code for your business marketing it should be tested on a variety of handsets and operating systems to check performance.
A browse through the reviews for QR code scanning apps in the iTunes App Store, Android Market or Blackberry App World will indicate which have known issues.
Working with Desktop QR Code Software & Applications
QRreader – QR code reader software for your desktop computer that uses your webcam to do the scanning. Available for Windows, Mac and Linux but needs Adobe AIR installed.
Bar Capture – Capture and decode QR Codes from your computer screen
Leadtools Barcode – A fully featured SDK for Silverlight And Windows Phone developers
Wordpress QR Code Plug-In
Joomla QR Code Extension
Barcode Maker 2D Adobe InDesign CS3 QR code plug-in by Teacup Software
Mobile Barcoder – Firefox add-on for generating QR codes for a URL from your browser
QR-Code Tag – Google Chrome QR code plug-in for generating QR codes for a URL from your browser
ScanLife For IE – Internet Explorer QR code add-on for generating QR codes for a URL from your browser
QR Coder 2010 – QR code add-in for Outlook 2010.