Are QR Codes Here to Stay?

Are QR Codes Here to Stay or are they a passing fad?

Last year (December 2010) I posted a podcast on Cinch.fm titled, "Are QR codes here to stay?"  I gave my personal thoughts about it and they included the following statements:

• QR codes have been around since 1994


• Japan has integrated QR codes into every day life, i.e. tickets, food, grocery stores


• They are being used in marketing and advertising in overseas countries

Click the play button to listen to the original podcast titled, "Are QR Codes Here to Stay?" recorded in December 2010.

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QR Codes in 2011

Now that it is December 2011, it seems that my predictions came true.

Here are some supporting facts about the use of QR codes, also known as Quick Response codes, over the past year (since 2011)

[caption id="attachment_821" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Scan this QR code to answer a poll question about QR codes. Results are displayed instantly."][/caption]

• Smartphones and data plans have become more affordable.  ATT and Verizon, for example, have lowered their monthly rates for data packages


• Smartphones have outsold desktop computers


• Big brands such as Beat Buy, Ralph Lauren, Frito Lay, Doritos and a host of other nationally and Internationally known brands are using QR codes

There are a number of industries using Quick response codes or mobile barcodes to market their businesses in very creative ways.

For example, Comtactics, a marketing technology firm from Dayton, Ohio, created and patented a customer loyalty platform that utilizes Quick response codes to drive interactive foot traffic to businesses. This same platform is currently being utilized by Montgomery County, Ohio and Cox Media Group Ohio.

Toys R Us, Target and other major brands are using quick response codes with print advertising as a way to engage with potential and existing customers.

National and local newspapers and magazines are seeing the value in using Quick response codes or "mobile barcodes" to interact with customers by providing videos, presentations, and podcasts to further interact with their audience.

Here are some additional stats provided by Comtactics that was done over a 30 day campaign with Montgomery County and Cox Media Group Ohio to support local businesses.

[caption id="attachment_808" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="QR code scans activity provided by Comtactics for Buy Local campaign"][/caption]

Marketing with QR Codes in 2012

[caption id="attachment_405" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Designer QR code by Comtactics - Gillette QR Code"][/caption]

Marketing with QR codes in 2012 is should be strongly considered in your marketing plans.  The rate of the use of mobile bar codes in increasing thanks to companies like Best Buy, Frito Lay, Ralph Lauren, and other major brands that have embraced the use of quick response and included them in their marketing, not to mention the positive user response to them.  With there being little to no investment in creating QR codes, and the great benefits of including them in your marketing, you, as a Marketing Professional, should strongly consider including them in your plans for 2012.

Companies will focus on branding their quick response codes to set themselves apart from other businesses that use traditional looking QR codes.  The quick response code in this picture was created by Comtactics and was featured on CNN for having one of the "23 Coolest QR codes."  It appears as if a Gillette razor is cutting through foam (shaving cream).  Comtactics provides designer/custom QR codes for business of just about any industry.  Visit their website at http://Comtactics.net to learn more about their designer codes and mobile website and marketing services.

Free QR Code Resources for 2012 and Beyond

Here are some resources that I have gathered for you to help you with your QR code marketing plan for 2012.  Click on a link to get started.

Learn how to scan QR codes - Great article to learn how to scan with Android, Blackberry, Windows, Nokia  and other smartphones

Learn how to create QR codes - Article that shows you how to create quick response codes as well as provide a little history and uses on them.

Create QR codes - Free tool that allows you to create your own mobile barcodes for marketing purposes.

WeAllScan.com - Free mobile web page and quick response codes for marketing professionals.  Awesome tool for recruiters, marketing agencies, and colleges and universities.

A little history about Quick Response Codes

Quick response codes are sometimes referred to barcodes, and mobile barcodes.  They are those funny looking squares or boxes that have been popping up on print advertising, products in stores and magazines.  You can can create them for free on our site, http://MobileSiteLinkExchange.com and print them on virtually any printable item.  Click here to learn more about these mobile bar codes.