QR codes

Understanding QR codes and how it works can be quite confusing. However, such marketing tools are very essential in our times now when everything is technologically advanced.

To make the concept simpler, we’ll go through each step on how it works.

 

What are QR codes?

 

According to PC Mag Definition, QR code is defined as,

“A two-dimensional barcode widely used for many purposes. When scanned with a mobile tagging app in a smartphone, it can cause a Web page to download with information about a product, local event or just about anything. QR codes can capture business card data or send a text message (SMS) that generates a text response. They can also be used for mobile payments. Codes are found in newspapers, magazines, brochures and store shelves, and billboard-size codes can be scanned at a distance, because the QR app uses the phone’s camera.”

These QR codes can be seen on different products such as magazines, boxes of gadgets, and even grocery items such as shampoo, toothpaste, etc. Practically anything can get a QR code. Below is a sample of a QR code, photo credit from  PC Mag.

QR Code for ComputerLanguage.com URL

The scanner looks for four squares (arrows) and two alignment lines (yellow) that alternate black and white.

Ahh, now they look familiar, right? When you find these “small square pixel boxes”, they are QR codes. AND… they can carry a lot of information.

 

QR Codes can be comparable to a Barcode but in a more sophisticated manner since it can contain more information for a particular item, product or advertisement.

How do QR codes work?

 

As mentioned earlier, QR code is a more sophisticated version of a barcode. Obviously, we know how barcodes work. Barcodes are scanned with barcode readers or optical scanners to show an item’s name, price, or inventory on the POS (point of sale). A barcode can hold only a LIMITED number of information.

 

Now, QR codes can handle MORE INFORMATION than that. Once a QR code is scanned it can direct you to web links such as websites, schedules, résumés, or more products online. There is a need to be online when scanning the QR code. Why? Because a smartphone or a tablet is used to scan it, by taking a photo of the code.

 

For the code to be recognizable, you may need to download a QR code application for Apple or Android phones or tablets, so that the code may be translated when after taking a photo of it. These QR code scanners will translate the photo taken of the QR code based on the “squares and alignment lines” it has.

 

QR codes are essentially used as a marketing tool. It makes it accessible for companies to reach out to people, particularly those who are technologically up-to-date with the use of their devices (smartphones and tablets).

 

Splitter offers this marketing tool. It can definitely help in increasing the marketing ROI of a company. Splitter can generate clean short URLs and universal QR Codes. It can also detect and analyze the device you are using and direct you to the correct platform. Everything else can be customize to the needs of the client. Splitter makes targeting easy with its cloud base service.

 

Splitter can make a big difference in improving your marketing strategy.and increasing the conversion rates.

Originally posted 2015-02-13 15:00:04.

This is the final post in our QR code series. If you want to check previous posts on how to plan a QR code marketing campaign, build mobile landing pages, construct QR code ads and more, head here.

In this post I’m focusing on a tedious, but really important part of every professional QR code marketing campaign. I designed this post so you can use it as a 3 part checklist each time before publishing a QR code ad. Following this steps will make sure your QR code campaign gets out as it should and you can appropriately track its performance.

Continue reading

Originally posted 2013-07-26 18:16:59.

Have you read my previous posts in the QR code series? By now, we’ve covered the planning, creation of mobile landing pages and making of a QR code itself. Last time I promised that we’ll look more into what you have to be careful of when actually placing the QR code. Where does it make sense to put it? Avoid the ridiculous QR code placement mistakes that we all see everyday by following the tips below.

Continue reading

Originally posted 2013-07-25 18:14:08.

qr-code-ad-too-small-thumb2

You’ve decided to use a QR code in your marketing campaign. Great! Are you new to the Splitter QR code article series? Make sure to read through some of the recent blog posts in the series: how to build a perfect mobile optimized landing page, how to quickly generate a QR code and more. Today, I am focusing on some of the aspects of the advertising material itself. How to structure your QR code ad? What are they key elements for success? Let’s dive right in!

Continue reading

Originally posted 2013-06-11 12:01:31.

QR code comparison

In my previous post in this QR code series I focused on how to make an effective mobile optimized landing page for your QR code marketing campaign. Today, I would like to talk about what’s important to consider when you first set out to actually make a QR code. This is a pretty straightforward step, but marketers often skim over it too quickly and do sometimes fatal mistakes. Don’t be one of them! Avoid the obvious mistakes by following the advice below.

Continue reading

Originally posted 2013-06-03 10:44:46.

splitter-geotargeting-city

Are you running marketing for a big offline business spanning many cities and geographies?

Trying to figure out all the hype about the local marketing and how your business can benefit from it? If possible, without the involvement of your slow and lazy IT department?

Well – Splitter has a solution for you! Today we are adding one of our most requested features. We call it the City Split.

Continue reading

Originally posted 2013-05-23 10:13:08.

Great Landing Page Tool for QR codes

This is a follow-up post from my previous article on how to prepare and plan your QR Code Marketing Campaign. Building an effective mobile optimized landing page is one of the crucial parts of every serious QR code marketing campaign. Don’t know what I’m talking about? Follow the 3 steps below and optimize your campaign for mobile consumption today.

Continue reading

Originally posted 2013-05-16 08:57:53.

QR Code in the air

You’ve seen them all, haven’t you? QR codes on billboards beside highways. QR codes on posters close to the floor so no one can really scan them. QR codes linking to Flash videos that don’t play on mobile phones. QR codes on posters deep below the ground in metro stations. Well, it doesn’t need to be like that – your QR code marketing campaign can and should (!) be driving meaningful ROI!

Continue reading

Originally posted 2013-05-07 16:06:07.

Google Analytics and Adobe SiteCatalyst Integration

We are happy to announce the launch of statistics integration with Google Analytics and Adobe SiteCatalyst.

With this new feature you can easily collect usage data from your Splitter splits in your existing analytics tool in real-time. Just past in a few credentials in Splitter and we will push all end-user requests to your analytics system for an easy centralized view and analysis in the system you already use and know. All statistics will of course still be available through your Splitter account.

Continue reading

Originally posted 2013-04-02 12:07:52.

Gary Vaynerchuck - 5 hours straight one-one Q&A

An update from last weeks South by Southwest (SXSW 2013) interactive, or spring break for geeks, as Dennis Crowley, Co-founder of Foursquare described it in his Keynote:

SXSW is were you experience the future for a couple days, then you go home and live in the present.

For the Interative part of SXSW 2013, more than 25.000 marketers, entrepreneurs, engineers and content creators participate. And because startup darlings such as Twitter and Foursquare had their first mover traction because of the tech savvy audience, SXSW is for many startups the place of which tech startups push hard to get the attention of the crowd.

Continue reading

Originally posted 2013-03-19 13:53:53.