2012: The Year of the QR Code

We're going to see an explosion of QR codes in print and ambient media as an obligatory inclusion. Here's why.

Kids are a great barometer of marketing effectiveness. Whether you’re advertising toys or toothbrushes, if kids find it engaging then it will probably work on your target market.

For about three months last year, my two kids aged eight and six would excitedly spot QR (quick response) codes in magazines and in the mall, and ask me to scan it, as if it would lead to some hidden interactive treasure. But more often than not, the digital experience turned out to be highly disappointing; sometimes the code didn’t work, but mostly the experience was just boring and a struggle to view on my phone.

So they stopped asking. There was no payoff.

(If you’ve never scanned a QR code before, you owe it to yourself to try it. If you have an iPhone, try this free app called “Scan” and get scanning!)

While recent studies suggest that only 6 percent of mobile users have ever scanned a QR code, in 2012 we’re going to see an explosion of them in print and ambient media as an obligatory inclusion.

There are three significant shifts that are driving QR code usage:

1. Smartphone penetration is on the rise. With more than 50 percent of new phones being sold in Asia being smartphones, the capability to scan QR codes will be in consumers’ hands.

2. Advances in optical recognition make it easier. Instead of starting a special app and framing the code in the viewfinder, phones with Windows Phone 7.5 automatically recognize QR codes in the viewer when using Bing Visual search and open the link.

3. Self-fulfilling prophecy. More visibility means more awareness, and more marketers including QR codes. Over time, consumers will learn that the black square patterns are actually useful.

So What’s the Big Deal?

QR codes can provide a simple “bridge” between the analogue world and the digital world, pulling the consumer deeper into your content on their mobile device.

It’s a direct response mechanism, which adds value to your print and ambient media spend. A highly motivated consumer sees a print ad in a magazine, and to get more information, a coupon, or see a demo, they can scan the QR code right there and then. The opportunity arises to capture additional details such as email or becoming a fan so that dialogue can begin.

QR Codes Are Great for Complex URLS

Nowadays, a URL such as coke.com is much faster to type in using an onscreen keyboard than activating a scanning app, framing the code and waiting for the recognition and link.

But not every link is short and easy to type in. For example, what if the destination page is several subfolders deep? E.g., mycampaign.com/eng/marketing/promo/ or the link is a YouTube video like this compared to scanning the following code (it’s the trailer for the “Avengers” movie launching in 2012):

In the case of Tesco Korea, QR codes on posters were used in the subway to allow waiting commuters to quickly add items to their online carts, where the URL would be otherwise arduous to type in.

In these cases with a complex URL, a QR code is ideal.

QR Code Pre-Flight Checklist

If you’re planning to start using QR codes, you need to make sure you’ve checked off the following five elements:

1. Test the code: Sounds obvious, but make sure the code works across various devices and scanning apps.

2. Mobile-optimized experience: The QR code is most likely to be scanned on a phone, so the landing experience needs to be tailored for the small screen size factor. Dropping a consumer onto a Flash-heavy corporate home page designed for a desktop is a complete waste.

3. The payoff: “Coupons” and “more information” were the top categories according to a report from E-marketer. The payoff needs to be either valuable or engaging, or you’re setting the consumer up for disappointment.

4. Is there a signal? If you’re going to use QR codes, ensure they are placed where there is a mobile Internet signal, whether 3G/4G or Wi-Fi. For example, many subways or event locations have limited Internet access.

5. Tracking: QR codes are a direct response mechanism, so you need to be tracking to the point of identifying which ad, location, or offer generated the best response. It’s digital marketing 101, but you’d be surprised how common many campaigns just dump the user on a home page without any campaign identifier.

Do these five things well, and you’ll be in the top 2 percent of QR code campaigns!

What About NFC?

NFC (near field communications) is a complementary technology that makes your phone a virtual passport and wallet. However, it needs to be used with a NFC reader on location, which you’re not going to find in any print media, the natural territory for QR codes. While there is a lot of marketing buzz around NFC, we won’t expect to see mainstream traction for 24 months. QR codes are for today.

The End of the Beginning

The use of QR codes has been well overrated till now, but the shift from niche to mainstream adoption is clearly in 2012. If you want to see measurable responses from your print campaigns, you can start using QR codes today and drive them to engaging branded mobile experiences so that your consumers – and my kids – have something worth spending time with!

Subscribe to get your daily business insights

Whitepapers

US Mobile Streaming Behavior
Whitepaper | Mobile

US Mobile Streaming Behavior

5y

US Mobile Streaming Behavior

Streaming has become a staple of US media-viewing habits. Streaming video, however, still comes with a variety of pesky frustrations that viewers are ...

View resource
Winning the Data Game: Digital Analytics Tactics for Media Groups
Whitepaper | Analyzing Customer Data

Winning the Data Game: Digital Analytics Tactics for Media Groups

5y

Winning the Data Game: Digital Analytics Tactics f...

Data is the lifeblood of so many companies today. You need more of it, all of which at higher quality, and all the meanwhile being compliant with data...

View resource
Learning to win the talent war: how digital marketing can develop its people
Whitepaper | Digital Marketing

Learning to win the talent war: how digital marketing can develop its peopl...

2y

Learning to win the talent war: how digital market...

This report documents the findings of a Fireside chat held by ClickZ in the first quarter of 2022. It provides expert insight on how companies can ret...

View resource
Engagement To Empowerment - Winning in Today's Experience Economy
Report | Digital Transformation

Engagement To Empowerment - Winning in Today's Experience Economy

1m

Engagement To Empowerment - Winning in Today's Exp...

Customers decide fast, influenced by only 2.5 touchpoints – globally! Make sure your brand shines in those critical moments. Read More...

View resource