Are you seeing a lot more of those little black and white squares everywhere? QR codes are appearing in the wild more and more. They are showing up on postcards, business cards, storefronts, event tickets, billboards, promotional items, and signage. They are sometimes used well and often used poorly. We are getting a lot of questions about QR codes here at SpinWeb so in order to help our clients navigate this new technology, we've put together this guide to QR codes, including what they are, how to scan them, how to use them, and when to use them.

What are QR codes?

First things first. QR stands for "Quick Response" and QR code literally means Quick Response Code. As the name implies, it speeds up a specific transaction by allowing the user to scan a code rather than type in a website address or some other string. QR codes are square barcodes that can be placed on pretty much anything from event tickets to buildings and are very similar to the bar codes that are placed on products in stores.

QR codes are typically scanned using smart phones, such as an iPhone or Android device. Scanning the code sends the user to a specific location on the web. QR codes can also be used to transfer information, such as contact information to be added to the user's address book.

How do I scan a QR code?

There are a number of apps that will allow you to scan QR codes. Here are some of the most popular:

• RedLaser (iPhone/Android)
• Barcode Scanner (Android)
• AT&T Code Scanner (iPhone/Android)
• Quick Reader (Windows)

These apps are free and, once installed, make it very easy to scan QR codes from your smart phone.

How do I create QR codes?

If you would like to create QR codes, it is actually very easy. There are a number of free services that allow you to create them in minutes, including:

• Go QR
• Qurify
• Quickqr
• Hipscan (allows you to change the destination later - very useful!)

Google also includes a QR code generation option in its URL shortening service. After you create a short URL, all you need to do it add ".qr" to the end of it to generate a QR code for that link. We put together a short video that explains how to create a QR code using Google's URL shortener if you want to check it out.

Once you've created your QR code, you can place it on any object or surface you want. You'll want to make sure it's flat, clean, and does not bleed into any other image on that surface. This will ensure that it will get scanned correctly. For more info on testing your QR codes to make sure they work, check out Kevin Mullett's post: Tips for Testing QR Codes for Scannability in Print.

What are some useful ways to use QR codes?

Great question! There are a lot of ways that QR codes can make transactions more efficient. QR codes can also have some marketing value when used creatively. Here are some extremely creative examples:

• Korea’s Tesco reinvents grocery shopping with QR-code “stores”
• The Washington Post makes it easy to share printed articles using QR codes
• No Projector? Use QR Code & SlideShare to Share a Presentation on Smartphones

In general, a QR code is very useful when your audience is away from a computer. For instance, the above example of Korea's Tesco grocery store chain is a great example of how QR codes became very valuable because they allowed Tesco customers to shop while in the subway system. Tesco took note that their customers were likely bored while waiting in the subway, also noted that they were away from their computers and therefore not able to easily shop online, and created a brilliant system that took the real-world experience of picking groceries off a shelf and combined it with QR technology.

If you plan to drive people to your website using a QR code, it's also pretty important make sure your website is optimized for mobile. This ensures that your constituents will have a good experience when they arrive. Also see our previous blog: When to use a QR code.

Some good examples of how QR codes can make transactions more efficient include:

• Placing QR codes on event tickets for easy attendee check-in
• Retail stores can place QR codes in store windows to allow passers-by to get product information after hours
• Non-profits can create QR code "scavenger hunts" that drive home the organization's mission during contests
• Restaurants can use QR codes on menus to allow customers to get nutritional information
• The City of Indianapolis places QR codes on parking meters to make to easy for people to install the parking app on their phones and pay for parking

As you can see, QR codes are very useful when people are on the go. I've seen some poor uses, as well, including placing QR codes on postcards. In general, if your audience is already sitting at a computer, it doesn't make much sense to use a QR code.

Hopefully this helps give you a general overview of what QR codes are, how to use them, and when to use them. As you can see, QR codes can be very useful and can make certain transactions more efficient. Of course we have experience creating effective campaigns using QR and other technologies so if you would like some help, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Enjoy experimenting with this interesting technology. Have some comments, questions, or creative examples of QR codes? Please post them below!

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barcode scanner, barcodes, business cards, event tickets, new technology, promotional items, qr, qr code, scanning, smart phones, website, windows live barcode