QR Codes – What Are They?
QR simply means Quick Response. It’s a symbol that was originally used for scanning and tracking in large warehousing facilities and inventory control. Today, QR codes are the fastest route to websites and landing pages for mobile shoppers.

How to Read QR Codes
Just flash a smart phone with a QR code reader and internet connectivity over a QR code and be instantly directed to a website or landing page. Many newer smartphones come with QR reader apps pre-installed. Most QR code reader apps are very inexpensive or free and can be downloaded instantly from iTunes (for your iPhone) or Google Play (for your Android phone). Some popular QR code readers are: QR Droid, QR Reader for iPhone and RedLaser (for iPhone).

Do Consumers use QR codes?
Research from Comscore shows that approximately 20% of consumers scan QR codes when they are in a retail store (the most popular location for scanning is at home – 57% of scanners). It’s still the minority that scans QR codes in the store but these are very engaged consumers often right at the point of purchase.

How to Create QR codes to use in Your Marketing
Generating QR codes is super-simple. You simply go to one of the free QR code generator websites type in a URL to link to your QR code and download the QR code graphic to your computer. You then incorporate this QR code graphic into your printed materials. Some popular QR code generators are: Kaywa and QRStuff.

How to Use QR codes in Your Marketing
The simplest way to use QR codes in your marketing is to direct consumers to a landing page when they scan your QR code. Focus this landing page on one job only – typically getting the visitor to fill out enough information to become a lead.

Remember the visitor will be on their cell phone and so the landing page needs to be mobile optimized and the amount of information you ask for needs to minimal.

QR codes are simple to produce and simple to read. Local business owners interested in taking advantage of consumers’ growing use of smartphones in retail locations should take a look at QR codes as a possible part of their marketing strategy.