Tweak Your Biz » Marketing » QR Codes: Will They Be Big In 2011?

QR Codes: Will They Be Big In 2011?

by beatricewhelan on January 5th, 2011
41 Comments



QR codes are not new, they have been around since 1994. The 2 dimensional (Quick Response) bar codes have had practical uses on airline boarding tickets and on product lables for stock tracking purposes. What is relatively new is the use of QR codes in marketing.

These collection of black and white dots can be scanned by a QR reader on your smart phone, decoded, and then interpreted to bring you to a website or any online resource such as a video or social media page. Alternatively on scanning, text can be displayed to the user, or a vCard can be added to the users smart phone.

Anyone who has made a recent trip to Japan will have seen lots of QR codes, where they are used in marketing and information campaigns by Disney and McDonalds. Advertisers are finding new ways to maintain interest in them and keep people scanning. This includes adding colour to QR codes and designing them so that they include a perceivable image or logo and animated codes are already been discussed by the big players in QR code design.

The use of the QR Code is free of any license. You can also generate your own QR code  for free by using one of the many QR code generating websites. The all you need to do is print the code on a poster, business card or your product packaging so it can be scanned by one of your customers. QR codes can also be printed in a magazine or newspaper advert so it has been hailed as the link between print and online marketing. Users can’t click your website address if they set it in print but they can scan a QR code.

In order for QR codes to become mainstream in marketing in Ireland, there needs to be:

1. Continued increase in the adoption of smart phones

2. Smart phones need to come out of the box with a QR code reader already installed, in the same way that Google maps comes pre installed on the iPhone, for example. Many  Android phones comes with the barcode scanner Zxing. The iPhone does not have any native QR scanner,  but many are available to download from the iTunes app store for free, just search for QR Scanner.

3. There needs to be an increase in the awareness of the smart phone user population about what QR codes are and how to use them.

4. Companies need to give people a good reason to scan their QR code such as an extra incentive or reward.

Custom QR codes have colour and background images so you can brand them with your company logo. I think Microsoft have confused things by calling QR codes Tags and their method of creating custom codes is long winded but is free.

Google also has a QR code generator as part of the Google Charts API.

To get started quickly with your own QR code, I found the QR code generator at Kaywa to be quick and easy to use. Here is one I made earlier:

What are your thoughts?



Category: Branding, online marketing, Sugartone

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The Author:

Social Media and Content Specialist at Sage Ireland. http://www.sage.ie

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  • http://twitter.com/fredchannel Fred

    Great post Beatrice. Welcome to Bloggertone!nQR codes started catching my attention in 2010′s second half. If you get creative you could actually do many things. Here in the UK you can see even many magazines using them.nI definitely try them out this year.

  • http://twitter.com/tweetiebirdies Geraldine Daly

    I have been following articles on QR codes and believe that already they are a minimum standard. It is a missed opportunity not to have them on every piece of collateral. Estate agents seem to get a great response by having them on billboards. They feel that it is an unobtrusive way for potential buyers to get information and get it fast.

  • http://www.btbtraining.com/blog Niall Devitt

    Hi Beatrice, Welcome to Bloggertone. I had heard of QR codes with out really knowing what they are until now of course. Thanks for the explanation, they sound like they could/should take off. Thanks for sharing, Niall

  • http://www.ivanwalsh.com Ivan Walsh

    Hi Beatrice, nnI think it’s your third point, ‘increase in the awareness of the smart phone user population about what QR codes are and how to use them’ that will make or break the uptake. nnYou’d be surprised (well, maybe not :) ) at how far behind companies are in this regards. For example, over XMAS I went into a shop to buy a new mobile phone. The sales person didn’t know how to get me on the web. Honest to God. He said he needed to get someone more ‘technical’.

  • http://www.encouragingexcellence.ie/ Mairu00e9ad Kelly

    Welcome to Bloggertone Beatrice. I’d heard of QR codes from someone who is promoting them on smart phones and has been doing so for the last few months. Like you said until the smart phones become more popular many people won’t understand what they are.

  • http://www.cgonlinemarketing.com/ Christina Giliberti

    Hello Beatrice and a warm welcome to Bloggertone!nnIt’s funny, only yesterday my partner and I were discussing the scanning function on his Android phone, but I never realised the potential in the marketing arena.nnThank you for the explanation and links. Definitely something i’ll be looking at in more depth.nnA great first blog..!nnTina

  • http://twitter.com/KevinKent Kevin Kent

    Like some of the comments here I have been following QR codes for a while. I have seen some people do it really well (Sherry Fitz used them nicely on press ads). However too many brands simply put them on packaging, materials, advertising etc and don’t explain to customers what they are or how to use them. At recent lectures out of 30 students, only 1 had heard of them and used them. Secondly it has to be worth my while scan and go to the link. In particular if your bring me to a website ensure it is a mobile website – I will be coming from a SmartPhone so the website should be easy to read and navigate on a 3.5inch screen. QR codes are very innovative but also very easy to fail at.

  • http://www.hal9000.ie/digital-marketing/qr-codes-and-mobile-marketing-strategy/ Jennie Molphy

    I think you’re right Beatrice, we are going to see alot more QR codes in the next year as smartphone use increases. It really connects the offline world eg. print to the online.nnIf you have the Google app on your phone you don’t need a reader, instead you can use Google Goggles to carry out an image search simply by using the camera icon on the search bar.nnI can see the QR code you have above is http://www.beatricewhelan.ie!

  • Facundo

    Welcome to Bloggertone Beatrice! I’ve only hear about them last year, can’t believe they’ve been around that long. I’m an Android user so will be paying attention to these more now.

  • Niamh Pedreschi

    Hi Beatrice, Nice to see you here on Bloggertone. Hope you had a nice Christmas. This is an interesting article and something I will be setting up on my new business card.

  • Anonymous

    Welcome to bloggertone Beatrice. I had no idea QR codes were around that long ! We were actually just discussing using these in our own marketing very recently. Great post, thanks!

  • http://twitter.com/beatricewhelan Beatrice Whelan

    Hi Kevin, nThat is a great point about bring the user to a mobile site. I think it is best to take the time to think about a whole QR code strategy for a marketing campaign rather than diving straight in.

  • http://twitter.com/beatricewhelan Beatrice Whelan

    Thanks everyone for the comments. There are some great videos on YouTube about QR codes and show them being used in a variety of context. I think the use of colorful codes with graphics in them will really help them get noticed as the standard back and white ones are often just ignored by people, who think they are just a bar code and not aimed at them. Perhaps if companies that use QR codes printed ‘scan me with your phone’ under the code it would help.

  • http://twitter.com/beatricewhelan Beatrice Whelan

    I should also say that OQ codes can also be scanned from the screen, so you can post one to your website or blog that users can from the screen with their phone, to bring them to a ‘hidden’ page with extra information or value for them. If you have a nice QR code or if you are using them in a innovative way, post a link to it here.

  • Lorcan Lynch

    Hello Beatrice I have not followed the history on QR codes but a friend of mine in the UK has launched a similar proposition called click2c have you or any of the bloggertone members come accross this product before. Ultimately it is all about a call to action but do you think the offline media industry in Ireland will engage with this channel? Regards Lorcan

  • http://blog.myprojecttracker.com Barney Austen

    Hi Beatrice. Welcome to Bloggertone. I’m not even going to pretend I knew what QR codes were :) . This was an eye opener for me – thanks. Will see what type off applications it could be used for in my own business.nCheers for sharing.

  • http://twitter.com/beatricewhelan Beatrice Whelan

    Hi Lorcan,nI had not heard of click2c before but just checked out the website there now. It is something similar to the QR codes. I think the offline media industry in Ireland will engage if they think people will use and respond to it. All it really needs is for one company to have a really successful campaign with it and then others are likely to follow. Again, there has to be a good reason for people to go to the bother of scanning the print ad with their phone, maybe a chance of winning a prize for every person that visits the online resource.

  • Rob Leslie

    Having lived in Japan between 1985 and 2003 QR codes were commonplace in magazine advertisements as a quick and easy way to transfer information at the touch of a button. I do think there is going to be a big increase in their usage. Our company is using them to transfer address and lat/long coordinates from a browser map on a PC screen to smartphones in a new product we have just launched called the Trusted Business Passport. Anyone interested can check out a demo on how we’ve used them at http://www.trustpassport.com Click on the thumbprint in the bottom right hand corner.

  • http://decodeforme.com TheMindofQ

    Hopefully we won’t have to wait on smart phones. I started using QR Codes a while back and figured Smart Phone Adoption shouldn’t slow QR Code Adoption. So I started to create decodeforme.com it’s a QR Processing app that can process emails/mms messages with Images of QR Codes so any phone can use it. You can go to the site to tech out the demo. It’s still buggy but the bugs are being worked through daily. If any one has any Ideas on how to monetize it please let me know. I would love to release it for Free but one of the features actually cost me money per processed message which is why it’s on lock down for now.

  • http://decodeforme.com TheMindofQ

    It’s all in the use really. I used QR Codes a month back as a tech demo for decodeforme.com. We staged a Scavenger Hunt. Gave everyone the first clue and left it to them to find the rest of the QR codes. Each one leading to the next clue. All done with plain text and no redirect. This could be used in a store to reward people with a discount if they find the final QR Code. Like when you find the stuffed animal at Trader Joes you get free candy. It’s like all things the sky is the limit and you should be creative.

  • Jeroen Steeman

    Looking at Google trends for the search term “QR code’ shows an increase in popularity, if that can be used as an indicator ;) We are trying to promote QR codes in Europe by providing on-line QR code creation services that support colour and can embed uploaded images or logo’s. There is also an online QR code decoder for those who not have a reader but want to know what is inside the 2D code.nnI guess how people use it will have a big impact on adoption, Considering that not all mobile phone camera’s and reader software is created alike and the fact that there are ‘open’ and ‘proprietary’ QR systems does not help in providing a framework where all QR codes always work for any scanner.nnYou can find our QR code stuff at: http://qr.odoa.eu

  • manu

    have a look to some designed qr code: http://www.qreacode.com/designed_qrea.html

  • Pingback: More Mobile Marketing Resources | Hampton Roads HSMAI

  • Verseability

    Game with generated QR CODE as the levels:nnhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiNUIP5Ivu4nnwww.verseability.com

  • http://twitter.com/johnbidder John Bidder

    Hi – I just launched http://www.qrcodemaker.co.uk with an education twist and design for non techies. Hope you pop by.

  • http://twitter.com/beatricewhelan Beatrice Whelan

    Hi John,nThanks for that, it seems like a very easy one to use.

  • Glenn Pearson

    Hi Beatrice,nnQR Codes will be a big – it will become something like a norm – like email/sms etc.nnGreat Article u2013 We at Pix QR in Ireland offer the user the ability to track thier QR Codes to see who opens them and where. Full analytics.nnHave a look and let me know what you think?nhttp://www.pixqr.comnnThanks Glenn

  • http://wearqr.com QR Code Marketing

    Hoping they’ll be huge in 2012. At this point it doesn’t seem like 2011 is going to be the year of the QR Code, but that’s ok because it gives the rest of the early adopters time to create businesses that profit off of this emerging technology.

  • Pingback: Why QR Codes Aren’t Being Used Correctly | The Social Robot

  • Jprintup

    How do you create an image within the QR code design?

  • http://tag.st Tag Street

    Great post! We have just launched a service at http://tag.st to help estate agents get started using QR codes to market their properties, letting them order stickers and instruction boards that they can place right outside a property.

  • http://twitter.com/beatricewhelan Beatrice Whelan

    I think there are a variety of methods but the easiest way is to use photoshop. QR codes allow for a 30% error or change in the code design so once the image you add does not change the code more than 30% it should still scan fine.

  • http://www.premierpixels.com Las Vegas Web Design

    u00a0Thank you for sharing.

  • Grant

    QR Code aint new as we know, but it is going to be massive in 2011. It needs massive promotion and reward for using. u00a0It would seem more and more global brands are staring to use and there for it will only be a matter of time before we all scanning away. u00a0The You tube movie link is by far the most attractive interactive way to promote your business or web etc. u00a0With some superb do it yourself video editing free apps available also it would seem that as long as the Smart phone trend increases then we will be littered with black and white dots all over our walls emails posters TV’s……..u00a0

  • http://qraffiticodes.com Idtorchdesign

    Here’s yet another QR Code Startup! QRAFFiTiCODES: http://qraffiticodes.com

  • http://twitter.com/Stoepplaatjes Stoeptegel

    Hi,
    We can print on concrete pavers. QR codes can be printed on pavers to create tours, comment on art works, inform about the location… To give you an idear we made a QR joke…

    http://goo.gl/mHARB.qr

  • http://www.unitedgraphics.com/Home/HeatSetWeb heat set printing

    QR
    codes will be around for a long time. They make the transition from print to
    the web so much easier for customers. I’d like to see the iPhone stock camera,
    as an example, automatically work as a QR reader instead of having to download
    an app. And with technologies like heat set printing driving costs down for
    print, we’ll see a lot of QR codes soon.

  • http://www.smart-poster.co.uk Near Field Communication

    QR Code aint new as we know, but it is going to be massive in 2011. It needs massive promotion and reward for using. It would seem more and more global brands are staring to use and there for it will only be a matter of time before we all scanning away. The You tube movie link is by far the most attractive interactive way to promote your business or web etc. With some superb do it yourself video editing free apps available also it would seem that as long as the Smart phone trend increases then we will be littered with black and white dots all over our walls emails posters Tv’s.

  • http://www.allaspectsuk.co.uk/location/staffordshire/lichfield/locksmiths.asp Boarding Up

    This is a
    nice content.This is the simplest way to spot scanning problems.I like this
    one.The written skill is so good.I am very impressed to this post.This is an
    amazing.Thanks to share this well informative blog with us.Keep sharing.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_TY4DECRDPELXEF6O76MBRBJVBY amay

    I hope it will as I always believe on this technology and its capability of prospect. It took almost 16 years  for QR code to become know in market. It’s use should not be limited to just controlling and to give an access to right information. The use can be expanded to office where we can use QR doe to locate and identify the QR code containing objects. Its easy way to pass an information to user easily and in most convince way  –

  • randyor

    QR codes have become more frequent in advertising and integrated campaigns in traditional and interactive. Media where QR codes are deployed are: posters, displays in stores, trade shows, business cards, print ads, contests, direct mail campaigns, websites,email marketing, and coupons.

    custom qr codes

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