Quick Response (QR) codes have become common in consumer advertising.
Typically, a smartphone is used as a QR code scanner, displaying the code and
converting it to some useful form (such as a standard URL for a website,
thereby removing the need for a user to type it into a web browser). The QR
code has become a focus of advertising strategy, since it provides a way to
access a brand's website more quickly than by manually entering a URL. Beyond
mere convenience to the consumer, the importance of this capability is that it
increases the conversion rate (the chance that contact with the advertisement
will convert to a sale), by coaxing interested prospects further down the
conversion funnel with little delay or effort, bringing the viewer to the
advertiser's website immediately, where a longer and more targeted sales pitch
may lose the viewer's interest. Quick Response codes can really generate a big
buzz for businesses. The jury may still be out on how small businesses can use
the codes, but 2014 was the year big companies proved that QR codes can be
effective.
Starbucks: Starbucks offered a
creative way for consumers to learn more about its coffee. By incorporating QR
codes in popular newspapers and magazines, users were able to watch short
videos promoting Starbucks' new mobile payment app as well as interviews with
coffee experts, its history, or information on traditions local to where the
coffee was grown.
JC Penney: One of the most
recent campaigns came from JC Penney. This past holiday season, the clothing
retailer gave consumers the option of sending personalized holiday greetings to
loved ones. Once an item was purchased, users were able to scan the QR code,
record up to 60 seconds of voice, and then attach the QR code to the gift,
making the gift that much more special.
This concept has become more and more popular over the years. You see it everywhere. I've always noticed it on the bottom of my Walmart receipt but never paid it no never mind. While out at breakfast one day i had my receipts out on the table going through them and the waitress asked me if I ever used the 'savings' catcher on the Walmart receipts. of course I said no and had not a clue as to what she was talking about and proceeded to ask her what it was. that's when she explained to me that you just download the Walmart app on your phone and there is an option to scan the QR code and it automatically prices checks it to competitors and if found cheaper elsewhere they give you the difference, how cool is that!? of course i only recently found out about it but already have $1.47 back in 'savings catcher'.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, when I first looked at your post I thought that the font was way too small, especially because the previous post had much larger font. But once I started reading it, since it was very interesting, it was OK. I think what you say about the importance of making it nearly effortless to connect is what really drives people to use technologies. At work, the employee global directory has a QR code link, that opens on screen quickly. When scanned from a smartphone, the contact info from that employee goes directly into my outlook contacts. It is so quick and easy.
ReplyDeleteI am going to look out for other QR codes and definitely try the Walmart one.