FP - Anyone play with QR codes?

**dario1977** · September 29th, 2011, 1:48 AM

QR codes have been heavily adapted in Japan, over 70% of people scan something every day.

Over the past few weeks I have started testing it in my some of my ad copies (driving people to wap pages). Has anyone else tested it? So far Facebook approved all ads with the code as the image!

For offline marketing lovers: I have been thinking about making some stickers with captions below a QR code and sticking them around town as a test. Like on gas pumps with a gas card submit. The goal would be to make it look like it is supposed to be there

http://websitemarketingconsultant.co...02/qr-code.jpg

But talking with a smart friend, one of the greatest ideas that came up (in our opinion, anyway) was putting QR codes for a dating site on bar coasters (with a good "call to action" text, of course).

Get a bunch of lonely guys sitting alone at the bar looking for a date to sign up.

The only cost would be:
1) buying the coasters
2) selling the bar on the idea of using your coasters (free to them).

What do yo think about these QR ideas ?

**Bryan** · September 29th, 2011, 3:33 AM

These ideas sound awesome!

My only concern - while QR codes are popular in Japan, what % of the US / Western European population actually reckognises them and knows what to do with them? Obviously, people like us do - but I highly doubt that the average American/European does and this would bring conversions down considerably.

Quite keen to hear other people's thoughts on this, though. Very interesting subject indeed!

**dario1977** · September 29th, 2011, 6:39 AM

Originally Posted by Bryan

My only concern - while QR codes are popular in Japan, what % of the US / Western European population actually reckognises them and knows what to do with them?

BIG brands are starting to use these codes in their ads, stirring people curiosity,

for example

http://www.pittsburghmarketing.net/w...lo-QR-code.gif

http://blog.tigglobal.com/wp-content...lobal-Blog.jpg

http://sull.tv/wp-content/uploads/20...er-qr-code.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_tnL9DSBPQ...iqr-792695.jpg

I think it's just matter of time before we use a QR code for micropayments too.

**Bryan** · September 29th, 2011, 7:01 AM

This just got more interesting

P.S. Absolutely love the Calvin Klein ad. Perfect job they've done!

**dario1977** · September 30th, 2011, 11:19 AM

Originally Posted by Bryan

This just got more interesting

Yes.

QR codes could also be a great way to transfer your potential "lead" from the desktop to the mobile platform.

Putting your QR code on a landing page with text like "Don't show mobile user's this" gets them scanning it for sure.

I also would try to use them to get people to like my facebook pages. The scan it and they've "liked" it.

QR codes are the "wanted" posters of the 21st century !!

**BrettM** · September 30th, 2011, 12:45 PM

I've been noticing them in malls, etc. in Canada. Even in the small town I live it, there's a big billboard along one of the main road with a national realtor (Remax) stating "Does your home need a QR code?".

An example of a similar ad:

http://randymatheson.com/wp-content/...ax_qrcode1.jpg

I'd say the big players are doing their best to get it out there. Whether it sticks... ?

**dario1977** · October 3rd, 2011, 7:06 AM

Originally Posted by BrettM

I'd say the big players are doing their best to get it out there. Whether it sticks... ?

Honestly i'm happy QR codes are not so popular yet, we are still in the phase were if someone with a decent phone see an intriguing adv. and a QR, tries to see what's hidden behind that code.
At least this is what i did in 1996 when i bought my first 28k modem

and i saw a www. address printed somewhere.

**Clinton** · August 13th, 2012, 11:08 AM

The technology that could kill QR codes (apparently).

Researchers in Korea have devised a cheap way of transmitting data from objects to mobile phones when swiped....Augmented reality platforms are also providing alternatives to QR codes

...

"The QR scanning process is inherently inconvenient for the user, compared to other technologies such as Near Field Communication (NFCs)," he said. "There is a risk of being replaced in the future by more accessible alternatives."

**Nidec** · August 13th, 2012, 3:26 PM

While QR codes offer some great marketing opportunities they also are highly susceptible to fraudulent use, as this article shows.
You can't preview a QR like you can with a lot of emails, nor can you identify the source. Okay, some applications request a confirmation before downloading the content onto your phone but its still a hell of a big risk to take bearing in mind how much information can now be accessed via our smartphones

**KenW3** · August 13th, 2012, 6:35 PM

Originally Posted by Nidec

While QR codes offer some great marketing opportunities they also are highly susceptible to fraudulent use

This is why I prefer seeing internally branded Quick Response Codes. At least those identify the company (and may provide some indication of what to expect) within the code itself.