They are a 2 dimensional code that can be scanned by a smartphone to automatically pull up information such as URLs, phone number, videos, photographs, music, text etc. QR stands for ‘Quick Response’ and were first developed in Japan by a company called Denso-Wave in 1994.
In essence QR codes are 2 dimensional bar codes that are usually scanned both vertically and also horizontally. The codes consist of a control grid of tiny squares. This allows for far more information to be encoded in a much smaller area than a regular bar code. The codes are read by smartphones and also QR scanners.
Initially they were used to track car parts in Japan, where they are very popular, but now they have a much wider commercial use within the digital world. They can be added to a business card or an email to send someone with a reader directly to your website. So, whereas a bar code pretty much can only identify a product and needs a special device to be scanned, QR codes can embed much more information and trigger an action when read such as downloading a music file or launching a website directly on your phone. Imagine how easy this make it for someone to go to your website, without the bother of actually typing in the url, especially useful if you have a less than memorable or difficult to spell web address.
Some widespread uses of QR codes: Contact data – add all your contact data including phones numbers, business address, page as well as electronic mail Name tags: Add all your info to a person’s name tag at a conference and also colleagues can just scan it to download all a person’s details. Art: Street artist Banksy has a piece of work in a disused railway tunnel in London which consists of a coding system, when scanned this codification takes you directly to his Wikipedia web page. Shop Windows: In the US Google is distributing code decals to small businesses on Google Places, to be positioned in the store windows for passers-by to scan.
QR codes are still relatively alien to most individuals, so make it a little simpler for them by adding something of value. Don’t just send them to a person’s page when scanned, maybe deliver them to a particular offer web page, just for users of these codes, add something of value to inspire an internet user.
Whatever you decide to do enjoy using a person’s codes and start being creative as they are probably going to become extremely popular as more people surf the internet on their mobile phones.
Mark Boardman BSc dip.hyp is a leading author and SEO specialist offering Expert SEO services. For more information and to discover What Are QR Codes? check this site now.
