Use QR Codes to market your product

They’re popping up everywhere – in magazines, newspaper ads, ad hoc signs and brochures. QR codes have become ubiquitous. These Quick Response squares that smartphone users can scan for real time access to pertinent information is almost like money.

QR codes are gaining in popularity for good reason. Consumers want immediate and easy access to what’s relevant and QR codes make that possible.

QR codes are similar to the barcodes used by retailers to track inventory and price products at the point of sale.

But bar codes are linear one-dimensional codes that only hold up to 20 numerical digits, while QR codes are two-dimensional and can hold considerably more information.

This makes them nifty marketing tools you can integrate into printed materials, like signage, event displays, print advertisements, business cards, brochures, posters, flyers and product labels.

With their wide range of applications, marketers are using them to lead consumers to websites, videos, advertisements, catalogues, contact information and product suggestions; provide directions using Google Maps; as well as allow automatic entry into a sweepstakes and links to discount coupons and special offers. Real estate agents now include QR codes on for sale signs that take people to video tours of various properties.

Although QR codes are great for boosting visibility, reach and customer engagement, they require a smartphone with a camera, a QR scanner and an Internet connection. The Jamaican market is well positioned to take advantage of this technology since the majority of smartphones in circulation here have simple point and shoot features to interact with QR codes.