The QR Code Reality

A few days ago , B.L. Ochman wrote a piece about QR Code failure.

Basically she said the problem isn’t the QR code, it’s the failure of those who try and use them to get people to do something.

This is such a basic principle in marketing relationships.

We don’t live in a build it and they will come world.

QR codes are a neat little piece of technology that will live on and on and on because they don’t cost anything to create and if you use them properly, you look cool.

What is the proper use of a QR Code?

• Link to a webpage that is mobile friendly, since most of us will scan with our iPhones or Droids.
• Tell us why we should scan the QR Code.
• Track the results of the QR code scanning.  This is easy to do if you know how.
• Place the QR code in a place that makes sense for someone to scan.

That last one is a pet peeve of mine as I see QR codes popping up in really stupid places.

I’ve seen them on a full size billboard that I passed going 70 miles per hour.

I’ve seen them in TV commercials and promos that last 15 seconds or less.

I’ve seen them behind retail counters too far away for my phone to scan.

And I’ve been guilty of this one: I’ve put a QR code that links to my website, on the same website!

One last hint for QR code usage:

Include the actual URL that the QR Code points to so those who do not yet have a BarCode scanner on their phone can also participate.

The QR code connected to this post goes to http://scloho.tumblr.com/  (If you are viewing this on tumblr, you won’t see the QR code.)

More on this tomorrow.