The Signs of Business

QR Code targeting www.signsoveramerica.com

For the purpose of this article, I’m going to use the phrase ‘QR Codes’ to encompass all mobile tag readers. Technically speaking, QR Codes (see image at right) are a black and white ‘Box Code’ (think: Bar Code but with boxes instead of bars). QR Codes were created by Toyota and have been popular in Japan for centuries (well, since 1994, but that’s practically centuries in techy years). QR is the acronym of Quick Response. Check out the Wiki article on QR Codes for more geek history.

Microsoft Tag targeting www.signsoveramerica.com

Thus, I will use ‘QR Codes’ to also refer to Microsoft Tags (see image at left) which is a color version of the QR Code technology providing much of the same functionality. Who will be the dominate creator and distributor of mobile tags and the readers that support them? I don’t know. What I do know is that the development of this technology is an exciting step in the two way communication between businesses and consumers.

Before we get started, you should probably install a couple of the code readers on your smartphone. I’m a fan of Microsoft’s Tag Reader which you can find by searching your relevant App Store. It’s handy to have the MS Tag Reader plus at least one of the pure QR Code Readers on your device because I haven’t seen a reader that can scan all of the QR Code technologies effectively.

On the consumer side of things here are my top five practical ways to use QR Codes on signs:

1. 

   HG McCullough Yard Sign with a Microsoft Tag

   Real Estate – For signage, this is probably the current most common use of QR Codes in the United States. When shopping for homes or property be aware of any QR Codes that are on the real estate signs. This could take you to information on how to contact the realtor, in depth info of the house (360deg walkthrus, interior pics, etc)
2. Coupons and special deals – A favorite of retail stores and bars. 10% off your purchase is always a welcome thing. Look for these coupon codes at the entrance of the establishment on windows, sidewalk signs, or yard signs.
3. Shopping – Especially for electronics, shopping is enhanced by QR Codes. Check out this blog article on checking reviews via scanning QR Codes at BestBuy. Point of Sale signs or Point of Purchase signs can also use QR Codes to educate the shopper about other products that are similar or other items that are supplemental to the products they are looking for.
4. Public Transit – Evansville, Indiana, is a woefully inadequate city when it comes to public transportation. However, QR Codes in subway and train stations, bus terminals and shelters, and airports, could be used for information and entertainment while you are waiting for your ride.
5. Events, Zoos, Museums – Want to see videos on Pygmy Hippos? Scan the QR Code accompanying the basic information sign at your local zoo. At the next festival or sporting event you attend, check out the QR Codes that will likely aid in providing information about your favorite team or band.

Business Card with Microsoft Tag

1. Develop a plan – Uggh. Boring, I know. But as with everything else in marketing and customer interaction and indeed, business, without a plan, you’ll flop about aimlessly and miss some golden opportunities. So before you even begin creating your QR Codes, get your team together and brainstorm how your customers could potentially use them. Get with your marketing/graphics/IT department to determine where you will store all of the created tags, your naming conventions and who will have access to create and distribute tags. Will your customers benefit from engaging you through QR Codes? QR Codes aren’t for every business in every industry. Some businesses will benefit far more from the traditional logistics uses of QR Codes than from the marketing uses. That’s fine. Do what benefits your customers and they will love you for it.
2. Business Cards – Every business card has a front and a back (sometimes they call me Captain Obvious). Many times the back of your business card is blank. By including a QR Code on the back of your card, you can direct your customer to your website, send an SMS with your contact info, add your contact info the the customer’s smartphone (depends on the reader), or even use the smartphone as an actual phone and have it call your phone number.
3. 

   Smart Car With Microsoft Tag

   Vehicle graphics – Please be careful with this one. We don’t want to encourage people to be using their smartphones while they are driving. However, QR Codes on vehicles can still be a really good idea if your vehicle is parked much of the time in a high pedestrian traffic area.
4. Trade Show Displays and Banner Stands – I love attending trade shows. What I hate is all the stacks and stacks of papers and fliers I get from all the vendors. Why not have a QR Code in your booth that takes the visitor to a website where they can sign up for info to be sent to them. You can track how many people scanned the code, how many people took whatever action you wanted them to take, and how many leads you got from those folks.
5. Learn how other industries are using this technology. Let’s start out here: the city of Manor, Texas. And then we go to Winter Park, Colorado to see how they integrate QR Codes to inform skiers and snowboarders of current conditions. And now mosey on over to Microsoft Tag Reader site to check out their showcase of how they envision their tech being used.

QR Codes have great potential for business to consumer engagement. How are you using QR tags?

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