5 Tips on Using QR Codes

I've written about QR Codes before and how innovative they are.  Personally, I'm not 100% convinced that they are here to stay.  Their main issue they require a decent amount of work to activate.  To be used, someone has to have downloaded a QR Code reader app - then they have to get our their phone, open the app and scan it properly (which can be a pain, depending on whether or not the code is configured properly, sized right, etc).  Other technologies, such as Near Field Communication, may one day eclipse QR Codes.  That being said, QR Codes are pretty leading edge when it comes to bridging the divide between the real and digital world, and if used properly, they can be extremely effective.

Here are some tips on what to do - and what not to do - when it comes to QR Codes.

1.  Don't put them on a website!  QR Codes are supposed to allow someone to scan something in the real world and be taken to a website.  That's really the goal of a QR Code - to get someone to engage in an action digitally (usually its visiting a website, but sometimes it can be making a call or sending an E-mail).  Any old link can do that in a website.  Don't get too fancy!

2.  If possible, create a special landing page:  QR Codes are easy and convenient to make - what is even cooler with them, however, is to create a customized landing page for each code.  This can be a pain - and expensive - but it can dramatically increase the effectiveness of your code.  For example, do you have one for a specific product?  Make the code take you to the page for that product.

3.  Make it worth it:  Give someone an incentive to scan your code.  Giveaways, joining a mailing list, coupons, etc - you have to give someone a reason to scan your code.

4.  Test!:  There is nothing worse than a code that goes nowhere/doesn't work - it makes you look foolish.  Test your code (on multiple devices) before using it anywhere.

5.  Make your website mobile-friendly:  Related to the above - if a code takes you to a webpage but you can't read that webpage - it's useless.  Make sure you website is mobile ready.

That's all we got - what about you?  Any tips/advice to share with us?
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