QR Codes and How they can Benefit Marketers

While many people are still quite un-clear about what a Quick Response Code, i.e., QR Code is; major brands around the world such as Walmart and Starbucks are already implementing some pretty interesting advertising strategies by taking advantage of this tool.
QR Codes are basically black modules that are designed on a white background with black square patterns such that the content stored on them can be decoded at extremely high speeds. The fact that these codes are an open source, enhance its possibilities in the field of marketing and advertising. Additionally, marketers can easily and freely create themselves a Quick Response code on the one of the several websites that allows you to do so.
From the target audience perspectives, QR codes can be effectively scanned by anyone that owns a phone with a camera and bar code scanning capabilities; which is available in most smart phones today.

Marketers have the opportunity to engage with their target audiences by communicating these codes in any form may it on their own websites, direct marketing material or promotional standees at a shop display. Through these codes, marketers can connect with the audiences and provide them vital information such as contact details, new promotional offers or direct links to their websites or social network fan pages.

Not only does implementing these codes for communication help increase reach but also helps in substantial cost cutting due to lesser requirement of printing lots of information. A single brochure which would ideally be printed in thousands to be able to cater to as many member of the target audience can now simply be converted into content in a code format that can be shared with an unlimited number of people without having to worry about the cost of distribution.
Additionally, the exact same code can be re-used in case of change of information thus further saving hundreds of dollars in re-printing. For example, if you have recently moved your corporate office or changed your contact numbers, you simply have to edit the information on the code and start sharing with audiences as against reprinting all your physical marketing collateral.

The inclusion of this code on any print platform negates the requirement for marketers to incorporate information such as web addresses, customer service contact details and even user manuals on their packaging or delivery kits. QR codes allow marketers to communicate accurate information within the realms of limited space constraints.

Also, a major benefit of this system is the possibilities in driving traffic to your internet marketing communications on the web. These codes play a major role in your SEO and SEM initiatives.

This coding system offers an interesting link for marketers between the online and offline world. Today, QR codes are commonly found printed on billboards, business cards, in-store displays, event passes, print ads, menu cards, product packages, promotional coupons etc. The recent explosion in smart phone ownership makes the implementation of these codes for marketing communication an even more viable scheme. It is believed that 70% of the world's population is now connected via the mobile phone, making it a marketing medium that cannot be ignored.