A few folks have asked about QR codes recently. Basically, all the questions have been asked: What are they? How are they used? How do you create them? How does someone ‘read’ them?
QR Codes – What are they?
A QR code is a graphical representation that looks like this:
A Quick Response (or QR)聽 code is a two-dimensional barcode much like the barcodes you see on all the聽 products in your local supermarket. Like your box of corn flakes, a scanner reads the bar code and can get information about the product. A QR code, however, is 2-dimenational; it has information going across as well as down!
QR codes are often used for adding web links to something printed. They are popping up more and more on advertisements. When you scan a QR code using either your cell phone (using an app) or even if you use the camera on your computer at home,聽 the QR reader application takes you to a webpage, a special offer, sends a text message, or even makes a phone call! Currently, the main use of these codes聽 is to send someone to a website without having to type a URL; you can see, however, there are many other options available.
How are QR Codes used?
As mentioned above, you can use them in print advertising. You can include it in your mailing to drive traffic to your site.
How do you create them?
QR coding is a technology created in 1994 by a Japanese company called Denso Wave (a Toyota subsidiary) for easier scanning of their tools and equipment. Since then, QR codes have indeed gone a long way. There are computer programs you can use to create them and you can visit websites to create them as well. I use the website Kaywa to generate the ones I need (and it was used to generate the code above). You can use your favorite search engine to search, “qr code generate” for sites to generate your QR codes.
How do you read a QR Code?
So, if you are not Toyota, how can you read a QR code? The easiest way is by using your smartphone or a webcam. There are a lot of apps to do this – I use ScanLife on my iPhone – it is free and easy to use. This is the first app I downloaded for reading QR codes and since I have been happy with it, I never looked for another one. Just search your app store for “QR Code Reader”.
To get you started on your journey with QR codes, I have created a page with a surprise on it – use your QR Reader to scan the code above to find it! Good Luck!
Hi Paul…Thanks for sharing this information on ‘QR Codes’ and ‘ScanLife’ …Hughie
Have you used them before, Hughie?
Nice concise treatment of QR codes. My kids and I attended the New York Auto Show, and they had a ball scanning and surfing through to the landing pages. I like your style!
Hi Paul! Love that you’re using QR codes! 馃槈
Please, where “There are a lot of apps” that reads QR Code using webcam?!?!
tks
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This is a very, to-the-point post about QR codes. I love them myself. I can’t tell you how I adore being able to grab information from a poster about an event!
I hope to see more of these being used! Thanks for shining a light on a great little tool Paul.
Thanks, Bonnie! I hope you are using QR codes for yourself and for your business!
Wow thank you for some history about where the QR code came from. That is a fun tidbit of info to know! Now to go find out what the QR code takes me to. Very fun blog thank you for sharing!
You are very welcome! Did you find out the secret locations, Kathie? 馃檪
I’ve seen them and kind of knew what they were used for, but haven’t found much use for them, personally. With one exception: The transit system where I live uses them. Many stops have a QR code posted on them and the app for the transit system has a built in QR reader that provides real time arrival and departure information for the different lines serving the stops. It’s pretty convenient.
I find them best to use on printed and offline material. It does not make sense to have a QR code *OLINE* since a regular link will do the same thing. Thanks for stopping by, Lillian!