What are they? They are a simple visual code, not unlike a barcode, which can be read by mobile phones. This one is for theloungegroup.com
In order to read the codes the mobiles need to have installed a piece of software, so to read the above go to http://reader.kaywa.com. At the moment not very many mobiles have the software on them and so the consumer is required to download it themselves. Not all that compelling.
So what is the benefit of QR codes? Well, once a mobile has “taken a picture” of the QR code, the QR will launch an internet or wap site. This then allows brands to give consumers more information about products or services. This information can take the form of data, video, music, web content or any combination of these. Because the QR code are as simple as barcodes they can be put on anything, from packaging to poster sites.
No doubt brands will want to put QR codes onto a large number of items as they make their marketing very accountable. It is possible to have a different QR code for each medium, or even for each product. In simple terms they are fundamentally not really that different to short codes, the difference is that they are cheaper to implement as there are far more combinations that you can generate.
So should you be sticking a QR code on everything? Well before you do you need to just stop and think, why would anyone want to see what I am showing them. As with any other medium content is king. Though no doubt consumers will "play" with the QR's at first once they become common you need to give them a real reason to bother.
Let's see how everyone gets on.
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