Originally developed in Japan in the mid-90s to track vehicle parts, QR codes are furiously infiltrating mainstream media. The growth of the use of QR scanning is staggering, with a 1200% increase in scanning in the last six months of 2010.
QR codes are two-dimensional, barcode-like symbols that link people and businesses immediately. They provide an instant information retrieval system that connects paper to the internet: Snap a photo of the QR code with a smartphone (using a free reader app) and be instantly directed to a web page, phone number, text, video or other web-based destination.
Businesses are using them as a tool to engage their customers, placing QR codes on print material, websites, billboards, or even t-shirts. It provides a quirky alternative to traditional URL marketing and advertising.
One of the biggest draws among advertisers is that QR codes can help measure response, which has always been a challenge for print advertising. It offers the ability to measure click-through rates on real-world items, while capturing temporal, geographic, and demographic data. This can be accomplished without asking the consumer to remember a URL address to Google later.
Electronic technology has become a fundamental medium by which businesses connect with consumers. Staying abreast of current trends in the market is critical to maintain a competitive edge and stay relevant with a target audience. QR codes may be the next big hook, as new and effective uses for them are popping up every day.
Connect instantly with doctors and patients by including a QR code with your advertisement on a Pri-Med Point of Care poster or brochure. Contact a Pri-Med Point of Care Specialist for more information.
