What is this QR Code Thing?
Monday, December 15th, 2008 by Creative Search Media
Dan's Contact Details
The QR (quick response) Code was created in 1994 as a method for tracking auto parts by Denso-Wave, a member of the Toyota Group companies.
It’s similar to a barcode, but can hold a lot more information. It can be read and decoded with a mobile phone’s built-in camera and barcode reading application.
This means that anyone with a properly equipped cell phone can decode a QR Code wherever they see one on a: website, monitor/TV, billboard, business card, CD or DVD cover, t-shirt, or anywhere else it can be presented legibly and with sufficient contrast.
A QR Code can contain any kind of text information: a website address, text information, or contact info similar to a vCard. Quite a bit of information can be stored in a small space, and the built-in error correction makes it possible to brand QR Codes with images.
Mobile phones with the software to decode QR Codes automatically detect the type of content, and then specific actions are presented to the user, such as adding an entry to the address book.
How Can I Use QR Codes?
Website Address (URL)
Provide an embedded link to your homepage or a specific landing page that contains relevant information, an email newsletter subscription form, or the ability to make a purchase instantly.
A QR Code that contains a URL will present some or all of these actions to be taken:
- Open Browser
- Share via Email
- Share via SMS
Text
Embed complete messages in a QR Code such as product specifications, recipes, discount coupon codes, directions, and more. Keeping your message at 250 characters or less allows for a QR Code that is manageable in size.
A QR Code that contains text will present the text as it was embedded. You can break up information into digestible paragraphs and use ‘-‘ or other special characters to create bulleted lists.
Phone Number
Phone numbers embedded into QR Codes not only provide a quick way for contact, but also prevent misdialing.
A QR Code that contains a phone number will present one or both of these actions to be taken:
- Dial Number
- Add Contact
Text Message
QR Codes combined with automatic texting create an interaction between you and the user. You set up your text message to work with a standard mobile number. Or use a Short Code that kicks off a subscription to an SMS digest, enters users into a contest, and more.
A QR Code that contains a phone number will present one or both of these actions to be taken:
- Send SMS
- Send MMS
hCard (Contact Info)
An hCard is similar to a vCard, but its lightweight allows it to be useable within a QR Code (vCards are simply too dense with information). The obvious use for this is on a business card and could give new possibilities to writing on the bathroom wall.
A QR Code that contains an hCard will present some or all of these actions to be taken:
- Add Contact
- Dial Number
- Send Email
Generate Your Own QR Codes
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Tags: 2d barcode, 2dcode, dan s. robbins, matrix code, mobile, Mobile Marketing, mobile tagging, qr code
