QR codes are everywhere. The number of people reading QR codes with smartphone devices is certainly increasing. As a consequence, companies and professionals are finding innovative way to incorporate QR codes into their marketing strategies.



Few years back, QR codes were used only in logistics. But in this new realm of digitization it is certainly being explored for payment, marketing and advertisement uses. After all ...Who prints a flight ticket nowadays when QR code technology is readily available? With QR codes, less is certainly more. The first thing I think of is less paper and access to more information!



In this article I will describe how easy it is to create and read QR codes as well as give few examples of how you can use QR code technology to benefit your personal life and business.



First things first: What is a QR code?



QR code (Quick response code) is an open source technology first designed in 1994. It is a readable two dimensional bar code that often points to a website, digital address or application.



So let's say you created a post card for your business and you wanted to include additional information and special details about an event. You can simply add a QR code to the flyer that links directly to the event web page and everyone will be able to scan and access your event web page using their smartphone.

Picture Credit: https://www.zazzle.com/store/asyrum Product Available



Another great placement for informational QR codes are business cards. Inserting a QR code, that leads to a professional online profile into your business card, is a plus. Online you can showcase you forte and offer a lot more information about yourself and your services to future clients. Payment QR codes can also be appropriately placed in the back of a business card to facilitate payment and donations when applicable.

www.moo.com QR codes business cards designing with a QR code generator

Companies have been using QR codes to give clients relevant information about their products and services. Over the years I am seeing use of QR codes increasing in marketing materials, advertisement, loyalty program, product boxes, flyers, check out stations, payment processing, ticket issuance, and in so many other applications. If you pay attention you will start seeing them everywhere!



How to read QR codes?



Reading a QR code using a smartphone is quite simple. Most smartphone devices already have a built in QR code scanner. To read it, select the picture app on the smartphones and point the phone towards the QR code as if you are taking a picture of it. Once the QR code gets read by the picture app a link pops up on the screen, leading to the content available on the QR code. You can easily check prices of a product, check into a plane or read the nutrition facts of Cheetos all using the same QR code simple technology. If you have not tried it and want to learn how, check out my 2 min QR code scanning demonstration below.





How to generate a QR code?



A QR code can be created using QR code generator sites such as www.qr-code-generator.com. The tool is FREE and very simple to use. First step is to access the main page of the site and pick the type of QR code you would like to create.

After picking the type fill in the details in the fields that appear. Once you are done filling the information click Generate.



Here is my example below demonstrating a QR-code I created recently, which leads to my site and was used to create the main image for this blog post.

In two simple steps the www.mammycrypto.com QR-code was generated. Without the need to log in nor sign up to the site. For members the site does offer a lot more features that can be inserted into the QR-codes. One of them for example is the inserting of the logo so the brand is easily recognizable.



So take advantage of this fun tool and start getting creative with QR-codes. Use it to promote yourself and your business. When used for marketing QR-codes are a cost effective and engaging way to express a lot to the end consumer. Overall this technology has many practical advantages for daily use. In addition it reduces the use of paper and it also facilitates digital financial transactions. In conclusion it should continue to spread and grow exponentially.

All my best,

Michelle Mafra

Mamãecrypto

www.mammycrypto.com

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