QR CODE

In this technological world, everyone scanning QR codes in their day-to-day life to visit some websites, for their online payment, etc..,

Do you know what it is and there is a world record that exists for QR Codes?

Let’s go deep into it

• What is QR code?
• What is its history…?
• QR Codes for small businesses – How to create & use them…?
• Did you know there is a world record that exists for QR Codes?
• How to set up a free QR Code for your small business?
• How can COVID QR Codes help small businesses?
• Conclusion

WHAT IS QR CODE?

A QR code (abbreviated from Quick Response code) is a type of the matrix barcode (or the two-dimensional barcode) invented in 1994 by the Japanese automotive company Denso Wave. A barcode is a machine-readable optical label that contains information about the item to which it is attached. In practice, QR codes often contain data for a locator, identifier, or tracker that points to a website or application. A QR code uses four standardized encoding modes (numeric, alphanumeric, byte/binary, and kanji) to store data efficiently; extensions may also be used.

The Quick Response system became popular outside the automotive industry due to its fast readability and greater storage capacity compared to standard UPC barcodes. Applications include product tracking, item identification, time tracking, document management, and general marketing.

The Quick Response system became popular outside the automotive industry due to its fast readability and greater storage capacity compared to standard UPC barcodes. Applications include product tracking, item identification, time tracking, document management, and general marketing.

WHAT IS ITS HISTORY?

The QR code system was invented in 1994 by Masahiro Hara from the Japanese company Denso Wave. The initial design was influenced by the black and white pieces on a Go board. Its purpose was to track vehicles during manufacturing; it was designed to allow high-speed component scanning.QR codes are now used in a much broader context, including both commercial tracking applications and convenience-oriented applications aimed at mobile phone users (termed mobile tagging). QR codes may be used to display text to the user, to open a webpage on the user’s device, to add a vCard contact to the user’s device, to open a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI), to connect to a wireless network, or to compose an email or text message. There are a great many QR code generators available as software or as online tools that are either free or require a paid subscription. The QR code has become one of the most-used types of two-dimensional code.

QR CODES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

Incorporate QR Codes into your small business’s marketing strategy to attain higher levels of engagement and maximize ROI.

DID YOU KNOW THERE IS A WORLD RECORD THAT EXISTS FOR QR CODES?

Carved in a wheat field in China, the World’s Largest QR Code measures 36100 square meters based on the Guinness World Record data. While a QR Code that huge might seem entirely deviated from the original functionality of QR Codes, it does explain the extent of potential entrusted with a QR Code.

QR Codes when rightly synchronized with the marketing efforts can help expand your organization from a relatively unknown small business to a thriving one. The significance of QR Codes has been time and again proven by brands that are using it right!

Creating a functional QR Code for small businesses does not require a large wheat field or any intricate efforts; all you need is to make a couple of right choices and execute them.

Here are the top 10 ways how small businesses can use QR Codes :

• Giveaways to drive loyalty
• Boost app downloads
• Increase social media visibility
• Help customers find you
• Get customer feedback
• Track campaigns & retarget customers
• Boost website traffic
• Build email marketing list
• Instantly share contact details
• Boost engagement rates

HOW TO SET UP A FREE QR CODE FOR YOUR SMALL BUSINESS?

Step 1: Choose a QR Code Generator

The key to creating a successful QR Code campaign is to find the right QR Code generator. The right QR Code generator is the one that will allow you to create free QR Codes that you can use forever. Choosing a QR Code generator like Beaconstac with an intuitive platform to instantly set up your QR Code campaigns is helpful. Turning to a ready-to-use platform for generating free QR Codes makes things more comfortable as they do not require you to have prior coding knowledge.

Step 2: Choose the content

Once the QR Code is generated using the chosen QR Code generator, businesses then need to decide what would be the content linked to the QR Code. Here are some examples of the content that SMBs could utilize to connect with the QR codes based on the type of business.

• Business consultancy:Add QR Codes to Business cards and effortlessly share contact information.
• Business consultancy:Add QR Codes to Business cards and effortlessly share contact information.
• E-commerce:Drive traffic to your store page by linking QR Codes with your business website.
• Beauty & Lifestyle:Link your QR Codes to ‘how-to-videos ‘ that help customers understand your product better.
• Real-estate:Connect QR Codes with an image gallery of the properties for sale.
• Publishing house:Use QR Codes that connect to a pdf of a book sample.

Step 3: Choose your design and customization

A QR Code is no longer all black and white. Businesses can design and customize QR Codes based on their specific requirements. Beaconstac provides you the option of changing the color of your QR Code’s background and foreground based on the theme and color scale of your campaign or business. You can also include business logos in your QR Code design. When it comes to customization of QR Code designs, the only limit is the extent of your imagination.

Businesses can choose to print these QR Codes on any marketing material that is best suited for the category of business.

Keeping track of your QR Code scans is an excellent way of defining the success or failure of your QR Code campaigns. For businesses with QR Codes printed on different marketing materials, tracking scans of each QR Code help to identify and rank the marketing tools from most to least effective thereby optimizing the results obtained.

The following are some fantastic uses of QR Codes that can apply to almost all small businesses irrespective of the categories to which they belong.

Step 4: Track campaigns

Keeping track of your QR Code scans is an excellent way of defining the success or failure of your QR Code campaigns. For businesses with QR Codes printed on different marketing materials, tracking scans of each QR Code help to identify and rank the marketing tools from most to least effective thereby optimizing the results obtained.

The following are some fantastic uses of QR Codes that can apply to almost all small businesses irrespective of the categories to which they belong.

HOW CAN COVID QR CODES HELP SMALL BUSINESS?

With lockdown restrictions lifting across the world, here are some ways how COVID QR Codes can help your business comply with the latest reopening regulations and maintain high safety standards :

• Display operational hours using dynamic QR Codes:Since the reopening, different businesses have been allowed to operate for a specified number of hours during the day. As restrictions change based on the COVID situation in a particular region, businesses need to constantly inform their customers of their availability.Dynamic QR Codes can help small businesses efficiently display their operational hours to customers. As dynamic QR Codes allow you to update the content as many times as required, businesses can leverage these codes to constantly update their opening hours and keep customers up-to-date on their availability without reprinting the QR Code.Whenever customers cross your business establishment, they can quickly scan the QR Code and get to know your opening hours.
• Share safety protocols with your customers:Even though COVID restrictions are being gradually lifted, many businesses/places are still required to adhere to certain safety protocols such as the capped capacity for large events, mandatory masks for unvaccinated people, regular sanitization of the premises, and more.Businesses can use PDF QR Codes to ensure customers are aware of the mandatory safety measures. These QR Codes can be placed at the entrance so customers can easily scan the code, view the instructions, and comply with the necessary protocols.
• Have customers fill contactless forms using QR Codes:Many business establishments still require customers to present negative COVID reports, vaccination certificates, or declare symptoms, if any, before entering the premises.Businesses can deploy contactless visitor forms using QR Codes to get access to the required information about their visitors, set conditions for denying access and ensure a safer environment for everyone involved.These QR Codes can be placed at entry points so visitors can scan the code, fill in the necessary information on the form, and proceed only if they meet the requirements.