QR Codes (or Quick Response Codes) are two-dimensional barcodes. They have been around for a while, but it wasn’t until smart phones became commonplace that they have really taken off as a marketing tool.

If you want to find out about why people scan, how to get people scanning then read our Top 5 QR Code questions.

Top 5 Questions about QR Codes

1. What is the point of using QR codes?

More than 80% of people use their mobiles as their “second screen” to find information on the web. However entering URLs on a tiny keyboard is hard work and the longer your URL, the less likely people are to get it right. Offering a QR code directs people to precisely the right message, regardless of the length of the web address.

2. How popular are QR codes?

QR codes have been huge in the far east for years. They are now commonplace in the USA and Europe, particularly in the UK where in 2011 the number of people scanning QR codes skyrocketed and 2012 will “become the year of the QR code”.

3. Are QR Codes really catching on?

The use of QR Codes by both businesses and consumers exploded at the end of 2011. For instance, did you relaise that 70% of people are more likely to remember an advert with a QR Code then one without? This is because a consumer engages with the advert that has a QR Code on it – it becomes an interaction.

4. How many people scan QR Codes?

Some QR Code campaigns have had hundreds of thousands of interactions. This depends how widely the code has been shared, but the following will make a significant difference to your campaign:

• use clever Call to Actions! Make it clear that they will benefit in some way from scanning your code.
• Ensure that the messages people see when they scan changes often.
• Add clear CTA text to your printed QR code which quickly explains what a user will spot when scanning, or how often you want them to do it.

For more ideas about QR Code Marketing download this White PaperL

“6 Steps to Successful QR Code Marketing”.

5. What sort of Call to Action should I put next to my client’s Code?

You can entice someone to scan your code in many ways. The best way to get people interacting with Code is to describe what they need and how they do it. Remember, many people know how to scan codes today. However to ensure that they know what to do you could for example include text such as this:

“Scan me with a free QR Code App, find one in your app store”.
“Scan with a FREE App from www.2dgo.org”
“Download I–nigma from your App Store to scan this SQUARE:CODE.”

For more ideas and Q&As about QR Codes see SQUARE:CODE – QR Codes You Control.