Editor’s Note: I have absolutely no idea what QR codes are. If you’re like me, let’s use Julie’s post to open a dialog, so we’re not the only people looking at our computers and thinking, “What?” 
What Are Those Funny Looking Bar Codes?
QR codes are two dimensional images that look like blobs of black on a white background. They are similar to standard bar codes but have much more functionality. QR codes are encoded with information ranging from text, photos, and videos, to website addresses and are scanned by smart phones. They are used to send those who scan the codes to places online and are very effective marketing tools. “QR” stands for “quick response” which is in total alignment with the world today. Everyone wants everything NOW!
QR codes can be used in marketing to direct potential or current customers to any URL and add the ability to track and measure direct mail and email campaigns when used in conjunction with cross media marketing solutions.
Some Facts About QR Codes
Having originated in Japan and currently being used by only some companies in the US, QR codes are still in the infancy stages, so if you use them you’ll be seen as being ahead of the curve.
They are easily read by most mobile phones (unless you are like me and still have a cell phone from the dark ages).
QR codes are easy to generate. There are many places online where you can generate your own QR code based on your criteria for free. Try it out for yourself here.
Google likes them.
Adds interactivity and functionality to static print pieces.
Adds the ability to track and measure direct and email marketing campaigns – something that has been traditionally missing in marketing activities.
Used in conjunction with other cross media services such as variable data printing, QR codes help take your marketing efforts to the next level.
If you are reading this blog and do not live in prehistoric times like I do, please try scanning my QR code above into your phone and let me know what you see 
I have a booth at a fitness show this weekend and wanted to use these on my raffle sheet. Instead of doing a self filled entry you would typically see we are collecting email addresses for a blog contest. The Expo I am doing is very green and trying to cut back on paper waste which is why we are breaking away from tradition. I also wanted to use this block code for anyone who is “in the know” to use it with their reader. This article comes at a good time as I am in the process of writing the cover sheet now.
That is great – good to know you found this article useful. QR codes are definitely a great way to stay green and break away from tradition
I love QR Codes, I found them very useful and even implemented them on my website too.
Great article! Thanks for sharing
For wordpress, there’s a premium plugin called Smart QR Code which is awesome.
I didn’t know that – thanks so much for letting us know – will check it out now.
I love QR codes but it seems a shame that most of us are just putting a link to a website in these codes. The best use I have seen of them so far is a company adding a recipe in the code, I know it’s something simple but it makes things a little more interesting
Hi Neil,
You are right – they do have much more functionality than simply a URL. Many are getting very creative – some are using colors, logos, etc.
Nice post. Next time you create a QR Code, try http://www.socialqrcode.com which has been designed for businesses to promote their social media properties with QR Codes. Users can also create coupons that are sharable on Facebook and Twitter.
Hello social QR Code, That’s awesome – thanks for the info – will check it out now
Interesting article Julie, Had no idea what QR codes were before I read it. Still not one hundred percent sure. Will not get into the habit of using them however before it’s common practice to such codes on business cards and then just load the info into your cell phone! That will be wonderful!!:)
Hi Catarina,
I have a feeling that it become common practice in the not-too-distant future
The first time I saw these funny-looking squares, I thought I had to stare hard enough at it and a “secret” image would emerge… Seriously! That was about a year ago, and the emergence of QR codes (even in the AAA magazine, as Tia mentioned) looks like it’s going to become a mainstay for businesses. Not sure, though, if it is something that service-oriented businesses can benefit from these codes?
Thanks for the helpful insight, Julie.
Hi Donina,
That is funny. I have a blog post about such an optical illusion. I don’t think it matters if the company is service or product-oriented – the functionality is the same. If a service-oriented company is already doing direct mail campaigns, the QR code functionality will add tremendous value by allowing the company to track and measure these campaigns – that is HUGE. On a smaller scale, including them on business cards to make them easily added to your cell phone contact list also works
I do know what QR codes are but I just don’t get it. Why use this codes instead of just writing the url?
As far as I know, this blobs of signs can’t contain to much information so it should fit snugly on a business card, if you want to write a url or something.
One serious use would be for those link hard to remember urls, you can scan a QR code and save it on your phone or access it directly.
I know that I lack creativity, maybe that is why I can’t really find uses for QR codes that can’t be substituted by normal methods.
Hi Alex,
I don’t know enough about the technical side of actually coding the QR codes but the free site does allow for you to include all your contact information. For the business card application, from what I understand, it makes the addition of a contact to your address book easy with one click. But as I don’t have a smart phone, I haven’t actually been able to try it. In my opinion, the optimal uses for QR codes are when they are used in conjunction with cross media marketing solutions and as part of direct mail campaigns. I hear you when you say “I can’t really find uses for QR codes that can’t be substituted by normal methods.”
But we live in a society where technologies are advancing at an almost alarming rate, and applications are being developed and used to make things easier, faster, etc.
Funny – I just opened up my AAA direct mailing that they send from time to time and one of the ads has a QR code. It tells people what to do. I assume you have to have an iPhone or Android and no a Blackberry?
Hi Tia. QR codes work with any smart phone that has scanning functionality and I do believe most of them do. I really DO live in the dark ages when it comes to cell phones and right now, I am “smarter” than my phone. I do think that Blackberrys have the scanning functions.
Okay I will look for the QR scanning plugin thing.
I think it is called an app
Hi Julie – You noted that people are putting them on business cards and direct mail campaigns. How are they being scanned by smart phones? I am completely lost.
HI Tia,
When you put a QR code on a business card that has your business contact info coded into it, people you meet at networking events can scan your code and it can (if programmed that way) put your contact information right into their phone. With regards to direct mail campaigns, the playing field is wide open as to the different possibilites. Businesses can use a code on a postcard mailer for a new product that when scanned, will take the person online via their phone directly to whatever URL the code is set up for – perhaps the page on that business’ website that has more information about the new product. Does this make more sense?
Hi Julie,
Our Company QrArts LLC makes creative branded QR code campaigns. Check them out, I think you would love them. http://www.QArts.com
Hi Patrick. I checked out your site – love the videos. Do they belong to QrArts? If so, I would love to chat with you further
. Do you do business with a lot of larger companies with their direct mail campaigns? Your services would be awesome for that.
Hi Julie
I am a complete technophobe; computers not being in school when I was there lol My brother is the opposite. He is a true geek and got in at the beginning when you had to be able to read DOS and all that! I am sure this is something the geeks will all love.
So I will now go ask my techie friends to come read your post and tell me what I need to do with it. Thanks for keeping us up to date. Always good to be ahead of the pack and the geeks among us will be really enjoying the information.
Patricia Perth Australia
Hi Patricia,
I am too – we must have gone to school around the same time
I took typing because my mother suggested I take it – do you remember the typewriter? LOL. It is so easy to get a QR code – you can use the link provided in the post and fill in the answers – poof you will have your own QR code. Now what you can do with it is another story. Many people are putting them on their business cards. I would definitely put them on any direct mail campaigns you might do too.
Patricia, Julie,
I took typing and I still remember enough DOS code to get out of trouble if my operating system fails me. I count myself as a Geek with the exception that I still have a “stupid” phone.
This does sound like there’s an amazing potential for the use of OR codes. Can you imagine if I finally break down and buy a smart phone so that I can scan these?
Sherryl, You first. LOL You get the smart phone and then you can explain it to me!
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