QR Codes: Why Your Business Needs Them

Take a look in any popular magazine, newspaper, or mail order catalog.

You’ll more than likely see a small, square-shaped, black and white two-dimensional matrix bar code. This bar code is called a Quick Response (QR) Code.

Denso Wave Inc., a Toyota subsidiary, created the QR Code in 1994.

These codes were created to keep track of vehicle parts in vehicle manufacturing. They can contain up to 4,296 alphanumeric characters, 7,089 numeric characters, 2,953 binary (8-bit) bytes, and 1,817 Japanese Kanji/Kana characters.

The code consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background. QR Codes were created to allow their contents to be decoded at high speed.

Today, a QR Code is a smartphone-readable code that is used like a Web page hyper-text link.

These codes can redirect smartphone users to a Web address, e-mail address, phone number, online form, video, text message, contact information, news article, discount coupon, product/service details, and more.

These codes can be used to enter a sweepstakes, make a purchase, download apps, and interact with social media Web sites.

In order to scan and read these codes, a smartphone must have a code reader software app installed. If your smartphone didn’t come with a code reader app pre-installed, you can find one on the Internet or at your phone’s app store or market.

Most code reader apps are free to download and they can be operational within seconds after downloading.

A smartphone user opens the code reader app, points the phone’s camera towards the code, then captures or “snaps” the code image. Next, the code reader app opens a browser window and deciphers the content encoded within the code.

The smartphone user is automatically redirected to that encoded address. It’s a quick and simple process.

By using the code reader app, there is no need for a smartphone user to manually type in a Web address or phone number to be redirected.

Code reader apps have the ability to read codes on business cards, billboards, window signs, t-shirts, postcards, computer monitor screens, and much more.

Why does your business need these codes? These codes are quick, easy to use, and an economical way to have your business information available 24/7 at your client and customer fingertips.

A QR Code can be used on virtually any surface for greater visibility. They can be displayed on walls, ceilings, floors, t-shirts, mugs, car doors, bumper stickers, and more.

These codes save advertising space and money. You don’t need to pay for more words or a bigger display ad.

You can create a code to redirect smartphone users to details for each product or service you offer, landing Web pages, brochures, contact phone numbers, business hours, directions, daily deals, sales events, etc. QR Codes can be used to redirect smartphone users to your videos.

Publishers and advertisers use these codes to automate responses and send targeted info within seconds to smartphone users. Magazine publishers use them to sell subscriptions.

These codes are used to connect people to businesses, to other people, and to multimedia marketing content without typing a single character on a keyboard.

Millions of smartphone users have the capability to read QR Codes. Put these codes on your desktop Web pages and all your print and advertising materials.

This is a great high-tech tool to help generate more leads and sales for your business.