Ways to Use QR Codes

QR codes may help your online business. And may even enhance your social and personal interactions.

There are many ways a person can use QR codes. But first, a short description of what they are.

What a QR Code Is

A QR code is an image composed of square dots. It includes a white border. The image can be read by special software and decoded to obtain the information contained within.

Here is an example: When scanned, it decodes to the willmaster.com URL.

For personal use, QR codes can be read by modern mobile phones and other multimedia devices. The code is viewed through the camera and software decodes it. If the decoded content is a URL, the browser generally opens the URL either automatically or with a tap.

However, the QR code's content doesn't need to be a URL. It can be a text message.

QR codes can hold a vast amount of data, generally up to 3KB of plain text. If the text is UTF-8 or another multi-byte encoding, the number of characters that can be encoded will be less. (More about QR codes can be found in the related Wikipedia article.)

Not all software will correctly decode all QR codes. The QR Code Quality Standards Test is a good place to test a mobile phone's QR code reading ability.

Note: The white margin around the QR code is part of the image and is an integral part of the code.

Many Ways to Use QR Codes

QR codes can make offline publications both interactive and mobile.

QR codes can be printed anywhere images can be printed — on billboards, in magazines, on product packaging, on web pages, and in offline advertisements.

QR codes can contain, as examples, URLs to automatically open a web page, email addresses to automatically open a pre-filled email window, geographic information to automatically generate a map, SMS messages to send, telephone numbers to dial, or plain text content for the user to read.

Idea Stimulators

This list of ideas for using QR codes should stimulate more of your own.

Business Cards

Up to two QR codes can fit on the back of a 3½x2-inch business card.

• Information for a vCard can be put into a QR code so contact information doesn't have to be entered manually into the address book.

• A QR code can open a map with directions to the business location.

• A web page listing the community events the business is sponsoring can be opened with a QR code.

The QR code can be printed on the front or back of the business card.

Coupons

There is lots of room for ideas related to coupons.

• A promotion campaign may promote a QR code-exclusive coupon code so only those bearing the QR code can redeem the coupon.

• A QR code on product packaging may provide a discount when the product is purchased immediately.

• A QR code on product packaging may lead to a web page of related products where a certain discount code can be used.

QR code coupons for a product or service related to mobile phones may be especially pertinent.

Events

Meetings, workshops, and festivals all need to get the word out.

• A QR code can send the browser to a web page with event details.

• A QR code can provide a plain text message with when, where, and other information.

• A map to the event can be provided with a QR code.

Flyers with a prominent QR code can be handed out or posted on community message boards.

Any URL

Any URL can be represented in a QR code, printed anywhere a mobile phone camera can find it.

• A product page may be presented.

• A social media link may be opened.

• A payment page may be opened, ready for payment details.

Probably your mind is already imagining ways to use the QR code.

Open Apps

Any URL can be represented in a QR code, printed anywhere a mobile phone camera can find it.

• A QR code can dial a phone number.

• A QR code can open a pre-addressed email.

• A QR code can provide a geolocation to open a map.

A QR code can be useful in so many ways, especially when it eliminates the need to type things.

Product Packaging

There are lots of opportunities here.

• A QR code may lead to an instruction manual or video.

• A QR code may open the product registration form.

• A page of recipes or nutrition information may be loaded with a QR code.

A QR code requires only a relatively small space and can lead to a huge amount of information.

Downloadable Items

Music, apps, videos, and other downloadable products can benefit from offline printed QR codes.

• A QR code can cause a sample song to download and play.

• A printed product can include a QR code to download a related freebie.

• A QR code can lead to a downloadable document of specifications.

Free downloads can be presented with a QR code to the downloadable item's location.

Books

The cover, copyright page, title page, and appendices can all contain QR codes.

• A web page with an author biography and/or research notes may be opened with a QR code.

• A QR code may lead to an addendum or errata information page that the author can update from time to time, whenever there is reason to do so.

• The reader's email software may open an email ready for sending with a QR code.

The Vern Harrison books contain QR codes to the author's home page. (Vern Harrison is one of my pen names.)

These are generally personal, which provides lots of opportunity for innovative QR codes.

• A QR code can lead to a gift pickup URL.

• Scanning a QR code can reveal a love poem.

• A personal video can be loaded with a QR code.

Pleasant fun can be had with printed QR codes inserted into birthday cards.

Wedding Invitations

Weddings often want to be traditional, and QR codes may be a bit more innovative than the bride and groom feel comfortable with. For those who embrace the idea, QR codes can be used to make the wedding more memorable for those in attendance, or at least for those receiving wedding invitations.

• A QR code may lead to a web page with short biographies of family members and longer biographies of the bride and groom.

• A map with route marked from ceremony to reception may be loaded with a QR code.

• A QR code may provide gift suggestions and delivery location.

Best wishes to the couple!

A QR Code Generator

A QR code generator creates images that can be used to print QR codes. Our QR Code Generator is online and available for your use.

QR codes can make offline publications both interactive and mobile. Depending on your business, QR codes can be utilized to help it grow. Some of the above ideas may be used to enhance your social or personal interactions.

(This content first appeared in Possibilities newsletter.)

Will Bontrager