Quick Response (QR) codes have become almost ubiquitous; you can see them on the packaging of your devices, on business cards, on marketing media such as flyers and TVs, and even on buildings as painted images.

Both customers and businesses use them to disseminate and store different types of details so that they are readily accessible to anyone who uses a smartphone. Don't be surprised if you see a business cards with qr code or QR code on a billboard, T-shirt or web page.

Why QR Codes?

QR codes are too simple to create and instant to use. They are a suitable way to store all kinds of information in a small space. If the details to be encoded within a QR code are nothing more than alphanumeric characters, up to 4K such characters can be stored in a single code.

A standard barcode can also be used. However, QR codes are more useful, as they are capable of storing more data in a virtual way, including text, multimedia and geo-information.

Another advantage is that any mobile phone can scan or read them; there is no need for a special scanner for this, all you need is an app on your mobile that can scan or read them.

How are QR codes used?

These codes originated in Japan, where they are still widely used today. Quickly scanned from a mobile phone, these codes encode information from a temporary medium and store it on your phone.

Once scanned by the phone acting as a scanner, the code is able to reveal details about that specific brand or business, such as nearby branches or a URL that takes you to a web page showing the movie trailer.

It can also reveal details about the person who has a QR code printed shirt or offer discounts applicable to certain products in a department store. These are some practical purposes that answer this last part of why to use a QR code.

Regardless of how big or small your company is, you can use these codes in a number of ways. For example, you can truly automatically generate a QR code for each product and place it next to its image on your website. This code can have all the product details, the link to share with others via the mobile and the number to call to get more details about the product.

Another common use of QR codes is to have QR Code for Business Card with all contact details so that customers can easily add your number to their mobile phone contacts.

In short, you can use QR codes by adding them to paper or virtual advertising media such as web pages, postcards, TV ads and posters. This will allow you to share contacts, products, events, contests, videos, social media and offer details.

conclusion

It is really motivating to know how and why I use QR codes, because the former is simple and the latter is profitable for business.