The Platform

What's a QR code

Posted 27 June 2011 in Useful stuff

This month's topical question; What’s a QR code?

We’ve seen an increase in the number of questions about using QR codes for marketing.

What are they?
How do we scan it?
What can we use one for?
Does it have to be in black and white?


What are they?
If you’ve not seen one before, there’s one just under this text. It looks a bit like a pixelated bar code, doesn’t it? It’s a two-dimensional matrix barcode that can hold a huge amount of information. QR codes aren’t new but they are becoming increasingly popular and not just here at Stop the Train!

QR code for Stop the Train

How do we scan it?
As it’s a type of barcode, you’ll need to be able to scan it. You need 2 things; a Smartphone (htc, iPhone etc) and a QR code reader (application). We use QR Droid for htc and QR Code Reader for iPhone. You might want to have a look at the Google one, zxing. 


What can we use one for?
Well, typically you’d have more than one and the good news is that you can use them in a variety of ways. The list of what you can do with it, such as ‘add a QR code to your business card’, is a subject for another blog, another day. This one is about some of the actual applications and should give you more ideas! The letters QR stand for Quick Response and that’s exactly what they’re used for.

To give extra information (text only)
To direct people to a website page
To show people your phone number (landline or mobile)
To show an email address
To view/save contact details (VCARD)
To send a text message or email
To show a location (Google maps)
To provide event details (VCALENDAR)
To give payment details (Paypal)


Does it have to be in black and white?
No, but do make sure there’s sufficient contrast between the two colours.

 
If you’re refreshing your marketing material or looking at your next campaign and wondering whether to include a QR code or not, ask our advice first.

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