QRs on the QT

Ignore them or try them? QR codes are popping up all over the place. Should you be paying them any attention?

The QR code - that black and white box that looks like an example of 1960s pop-art that you often see printed on display ads or posters - is a clever/gimmicky marketing tool (depending on your point of view) aimed at people looking for a quick response to their marketing activity. Hence it's called a QR.

To QR or not? That is the question…erm - well, since all marketing messages should contain a call to action, placing a QR code for your potential customers to scan with their smartphone that takes them to a destination that turns out to be worth their while is a good idea.

Using one for the hell of it, isn't.

A good use of a QR code is on a poster or other printed publicity that sends the casual observer, by quickly scanning the code, to your website where they can then for example, book a table for your restaurant; buy a ticket for your gig online or enter a competition or gain a discount, without having the hassle of typing in a website address or complicated url.

Advertisements with a QR image can send a potential client to your online price list or brochure. Handy.

The codes can also be used by businesses in their premises. Strategically-placed QR codes can be linked to further information such as you-tube video clips creating a multimedia environment providing list of information and an enriched experience for visitors, or staff, for example as part of an induction or staff training programme.

A word of warning, though. Randomly placing QR codes all over your marketing materials printing so small and in poor resolution that they don't work or even worse take the person scanning straight to your woefully out-of-date website home page is not a great idea.

Have fun with the QR codes, as long as they don't end up making you or your business look tired. And make sure that there is something for the client to do, once they have taken the time to scan in your code. Failing that, it's better to stay on the QT when it comes to QRs.