Friday, May 6, 2011

QR Codes Are a Smart Marketing Choice

Marketing used to be much simpler in past decades. The choices for advertising and promotion were much more limited. Today, however, the choices are vast and constantly changing in regard to how to effectively market your wares or services. One of the most popular and well-received technologies for use in marketing is the creative integration ofQuick Response Codes, more commonly known as QR Codes, which are starting to dominate the marketing arena. Why is that? Today's world relies heavily on hand held devices that offer you the opportunity to talk on the telephone, access your Email, and quickly surf the Internet - all from your smartphone, iPad, or other personal, portable Internet capable device that is with you throughout most of your day. What better way to place an ad than in this creative, emerging marketplace that offers information in many different forms?

How is a QR Code Used?

Basically a QR Code condenses everything into a barcode type graphic that can hold up to 7000 characters in a compact space that somewhat resembles a typical bar code scanned at a supermarket or other retail store. This means you can convey vast amounts of information in a little space. Consequently, QR Codes are popping up everywhere - from magazines, to promotional items and even business cards. All you have to do is have a QR Reader app on your smartphone scan it and you can read the information contained in the QR Code. Often times the Quick Response Code may contain a special coupon, take a person to an interesting video or website. Many of the codes featured on business cards simply contain all of the contact information displayed on the card - it gets scanned and it's automatically saved in a person's address book on their smartphone.

Typical Uses for QR Codes

Used in Asia for some years, Quick Response Codes are now being used more in Europe, Australia, and the USA. A QR Code can quickly access the website of the advertiser instead of needing to type in a web address. It therefore makes it fast and easy for people to read, watch, or hear what you have to say about your products, make announcements, or provide nutritional information about food in a restaurant or a store. Quick Response Codes are also being used for electronic tickets for concerts and to register for an event or provide airline tickets.

QR Codes provide an excellent way to provide more information about your company on your business card. In a small space you can list your products or services and list other subsidiaries or information that is important to a potential customer. QR Codes are the marketing frontier of the future. As technology continues to advance and smartphones and other hand held devices refine their QR Reader apps, the features and benefits of QR codes will become the "Wild West of marketing."

Color Card Administrator is the parent company of PrintBusinessCards.com and several other innovative business card websites, we're eager to share with you what it is we do. Give us a call today at 858-522-9335 or email at Author@CardAdmin.com or follow us on Twitter @pBusinessCards. We look forward to discussing your comments, suggestions, or hearing any ideas for future article topics you may be interested in regarding Online business cardsdesign or business card management.

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