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New data shows that a whopping 50% of 16-24 year olds own smartphones and 63% of those users have downloaded an app before and that Smartphone penetration is now at over 60%. With online and mobile shopping on the rise, this is one of the best markets to tap into. MasterCard recently surveyed shoppers in the UAE with some surprising results – 42% of UAE shoppers accessed the internet to do their shopping in 2011, up from 33% in 2010. 15% of consumers also stated that they were planning to use their smartphone to shop in the near future.

Online shopping via a smartphone or a tablet device has grown overall by 10% in the last year, according to research from Stibo system, and smartphone and tablet device shopping is now the favourite method of online shopping amongst 20% of online shoppers. Gartner have predicted that by 2016, there will be 655 million tablet devices in use globally – and marketers need to target that huge market.

QR Codes can drive profit

QR codes are one such way to drive traffic towards these new channels – and more traffic equals more profits for businesses that are attempting to work online. Jim Levinger, president of Q-Ray Media Inc. says that marketers need to recognise the “4 M’s” when it comes to making a success of QR code marketing. Firstly, marketers need to motivate users to scan the QR code. Secondly, they need to mobilize the content that the QR code links to and make sure that it is accessible across all mobile and tablet devices. The content also needs to be appropriate and relevant – and as interesting as you can make it. People accessing content on a mobile device expect it to load quickly and to be simple and snappy – any content that is too bulky, too boring or that doesn’t work properly will turn many users off.

Next, marketers need to monitor their QR codes to see how and when they are being used and lastly, they need to monetize the campaign to ensure that their QR code campaign is more than just a gimmick. Monitoring QR codes is particularly important, as marketers can adjust their campaign as necessary according to how consumers are using and viewing the codes. Levinger says, “Properly tracked, QR codes can give people the types of insights from traditional media like print that they’re used to getting from interactive media.” So how will you use QR codes to ramp up your profits?

E-Book – Thinking about Marketing with QR Code Technology? Read this first.

Companies tend to make the same slip-ups over and over again when it comes to using QR Codes. These mistakes not only cause businesses to lose out on profit but, most importantly, can also ruin the consumer experience. We have looked at the most common problems and have suggested effective ways in which your business can combat them.

From this e-book you will learn how to combat the most common problems when it comes to using QR Codes for business and how to use QR Codes to engage and convert consumers.

If you are sceptical about QR codes and what they can do for your company, then take a look at some of the most successful QR code campaigns of 2012.

Kraft

Kraft recently got in on the QR code trend with a campaign designed to promote their range of cheeses. They placed QR codes on five different cheese products, and when consumers scanned these codes, they were taken to a mobile landing page that displayed a recipe using that particular product – allowing consumers to interact with the company in a really useful way.

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KFC

KFC’s recent campaign was two-fold – it promoted their new Classic Pot Pie product and gave consumers a chance to win hundreds of prizes every hour. QR codes were displayed on their soft drinks cups, and prizes included a trip to Las Vegas, Dr Pepper for a year, KFC chicken for a year and a year’s subscription to a radio station. Consumers could also share the sweepstakes with their friends on Facebook or Twitter, which would generate another code for them to enter into the sweepstakes.

Chili’s Grill & Bar

Chili’s Grill & Bar are no stranger to mobile marketing – they’ve been displaying QR codes in their restaurants for some time, but recently, they experimented with placing them on their menus to promote new menu items and products. They’ve recently launched a healthier living campaign, and their new QR codes linked to seven new healthy menu items as well as nutritional information and more information about the menu items.

Bath & Body Works

Bath & Body Works launched a QR code campaign to strengthen their social media status. QR codes were displayed on direct mail pieces that were promoting their line of fragrances. When the codes were scanned, consumers were linked to Bath & Body Works’ Facebook page, where they could interact with other fans and get exclusive content – an excellent way to keep the consumer relationship with the brand going.

Duane Reade

Duane Reade also wanted to improve their social media status – they displayed large QR codes on their store windows with the aim of driving up social media impressions and foot traffic. A scan of the code enabled consumers to connect with Duane Reade via their chosen social network, and with the words “Scan – Connect – Save” displayed prominently beneath the code, users were encouraged to scan the code to get exclusive discounts and special offers.

Johnny Rockets

Johnny Rockets went in a bit of a different direction with their QR code campaign and used it to build its email database – users were encouraged to scan the code to join their Rocket e-club to receive local updates and deals. Codes were displayed around the restaurant and on tables, so that when consumers were waiting for their meals, they could scan the code and find out more about how to sign up for deals. Consumers were also given an alternative for if they didn’t have a scanner on their phone, where they could text a short code to a short mobile phone number.

The major companies above are getting in on the QR code trend – so why not join them?

Find out how we can help your business to:

• take credit card payments via QR Codes
• build your email list
• brand messages people see when they scan your products and marketing material
• create mobile friendly content fast or let us help you
• display different content at different times with ONE Code
• track your campaign in real-time
• create powerful Calls to Actions that work

Leave you details and we’ll contact you for an informal chat:

SQUARE:CODE is currently being used by national and international household names.

Now you can do the same.

Offer your own fully branded QR Code management software without having to spend thousands on development – just use a QR Code White Label by SQUARE:CODE.

If you are interested in extending your business offering to your consumers or are looking for a new revenue stream then our QR Code Software and Trackable QR Code White Label solution will the perfect choice.

Millions of people access and interact with QR Codes every day. Why? Because they want to find out about a product, call a company or buy a product. You can offer a dedicated qr code solution to your clients. Register your interest today.

QR Code White Label for the Complete QR Code Software

We can offer you a complete QR Code software which includes a payment gateway for processing credit cards when customers subscribe. The QR Code White Label has all the features of our SQUARE:CODE software including:

- time based updates
- collecting rich data via opt-in forms (new in September 2012)
- complete QR Code payment with PayPal/Credit Card (new in October 2012)
- advanced tagged reporting and analytics
- create mobile adverts and mobile optimised pages
- link pages together using Actions, for example, collect customers name and emails before showing a the promotion page, then the payment page.
- brand all messages people see when they scan the QR Code

How does the QR Code White Label Work?

This is the process:

1. You register your interest in our qr code white label. Explain which sector your businesses is operating as well as where in the world you are based.
2. If approved, we will create an entire qr code software on your sub domain.
3. You pay a monthly subscription and a fee for each transaction made (we provide the payment gateway and security).
4. Your customers register with your new QR Code software and pay for their subscription.

What do I get in my QR Code White Label?

The white label is the full SQUARE:CODE system and does not require any API.

• branded with your logo and colours
• English language included
• all system emails (new customers email, password reminder etc also contain your branding)
• updated automatically when new features are added
• your customers sign up from your domain e.g. YourSite.com or you can set up accounts and manage Codes for clients.
• price per Code or code package agreed
• payment processing included (credit cards: VISA, Master, American Express, VISA Debit, VISA Electron)
• training part of the setup process
• email technical support available
• multi-language support (premium fee)
• translated into your target language (premium fee)

How Much Does it Cost?

Setup: free until November 16. (RRP £500)
Monthly fee: contact us
Cost per transaction: contact us
Multi-Language: £500 (approx. 805USD) per language
Translation: from £500 (approx. 805USD) per language

How do YOU get paid?

The marketer is paid on an agreed date each month via PayPal (free) or International Bank Transfer (£15/$25 per transfer).

Register your interest today

- The Big Issue sells digital magazine via SQUARE:CODE’s QR Code Payment Platform

More and more of us are becoming reliant on our mobile phones, not only as a means of keeping in touch with friends and family, but also as a source of news and entertainment. In the not too distant future we’ll be using these devices to make payments in shops and restaurants; What we read en route to work or over a coffee will be viewed via the touch of a screen rather than the turn of a page.

And Big Issue sellers are moving with the times too, as the world’s leading street paper goes digital and is now available as a digital download to phones, iPads and computers by scanning a SQUARE:CODE, an intelligent QR Code.

Through partnership with 99SQUARED, the company behind KUOOB, a pioneering start-up from East Anglia, The Big Issue can offer their readers the opportunity to buy a digital issue via the SQUARE:CODE’s QR Code Payment platform using their mobile phones. 99SQUARED has developed a unique automated system that divides the payment between The Big Issue and the vendor. Everyone benefits from this green technology because readers have access to the magazine on-line, printing costs are reduced and vendors are encouraged to make use of their bank account.

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The SQUARE:CODE QR Code software is currently being used by national and international household brands in retail, drinks, advertising and financial sectors as a way of managing time-based campaigns, where mobile advertising is kept fresh and interesting. They are now preparing for the November launch of their new product KUOOB which will help to re-invent advertising for publishers, shopping centres and membership card schemes.

Johannes Ahrenfelt, co-founder of 99SQUARED, said: “We are delighted to support such a worthwhile organisation like the Big Issue. There have been problems with well-meaning people giving money without taking the magazine and we hope that this unique scheme using SQUARE:CODE will reduce the problem, increase readership and serve as a great way to move everyone into the digital world”.

Find out how we can help your business to:

• take credit card payments via QR Codes
• build your email list
• brand messages people see when they scan your products and marketing material
• create mobile friendly content fast or let us help you
• display different content at different times with ONE Code
• track your campaign in real-time
• create powerful Calls to Actions that work

Leave you details and we’ll contact you for an informal chat:

Before using your QR codes to convert consumers, you need to think hard about your business objective. What do you want from the campaign? What do you hope to achieve? Once you’ve decided that, make sure that whatever content you offer and however you want to convert consumers that you give them quality, meaningful content and provide assistance to consumers so that they understand how to use the QR code and what scanning the code will do for them. See this page for ideas about clear QR Code Calls to Action.

First establish the above then work on using your QR codes to convert customers. Here are five ways of increasing conversion rates with QR Codes.

Increase Sales

To increase sales whilst in store, try placing barcodes next to price tags to encourage users to scan reviews or price comparisons. Recent data by Hubspot shows that 40% of smartphone users in the United States review prices on their device whilst actually in store, shopping for an item, so this is an excellent way to tap into those customers. Codes could also be encoded with ‘buy online’ information so that if an item is unavailable in store or if queues are particularly long, a consumer can buy the product without having to wait around.

Social Media Engagement with QR Codes

To drive more traffic to your Facebook page, try adding the ‘Like’ button’s URL to the code with a message encouraging users to scan it to ‘Like’ your Facebook page. This is a great way for them to get access to exclusive content, videos or other information. Equally, you could use it to encourage people to follow you on Twitter.

Up-sell and Encourage Repeat Orders with QR Codes

A rather nifty use is to convert consumers is to use QR Codes to increase repeat orders. Data from Compete Report (January 2011) shows that 13% of smartphone users have scanned a barcode to purchase a product, so get in on the trend and display QR codes on product labels to encourage users to re-order items with just one scan of the code – this could work well for food, clothing and office items.

QR Codes to Check-in via Foursquare or Facebook

A fantastic way to convert consumers and improve loyalty is to build a Foursquare (or Facebook) loyalty programme for repeated check-ins. If customers check-in a certain number of times they could be offered rewards, coupons or targeted special offers. Display check-in posters with an encoded QR code at locations to encourage users to check-in at that location.

Drive Customers to Your Event

Probably one of the simplest ways to convert consumers is to link QR codes to reviews of an event or product – this direct review will sometimes be all a consumer needs to go ahead and visit your event or purchase your product. Also, if you want to direct consumers to a specific location or address, provide codes encoded with a Google pin so that consumers can scan the code and find you with ease.

As with all marketing, the key to successful customer conversion rates is to be creative. Dynamic content is always an excellent way to convert consumers, so encourage consumers to buy or interact with your product by linking QR codes to how-to videos, instructions, reviews or demonstrations. Offer an incentive and provide interesting and valuable content and you’ll find that QR codes can really help to convert potential consumers.

Find out how we can help your business to:

• collect rich data from our QR Code enabled opt-in forms
• create mobile friendly content fast or let us help you
• brand messages people see when they scan your products and marketing material
• display different content at different times with ONE Code
• track your campaign in real-time
• create powerful Calls to Actions that work

Leave you details and we’ll contact you for an informal chat:

This is the first in a series of articles that focus on one single marketing campaign which used qrcodes to help promote a product, service, event or cause.

This article will highlight how they can improve their use of qrcodes even further to encourage buy in and consumer engagement.

1-800 Bakery: baking with QR Codes

An online bakery, called 1-800-Bakery.com, took the concept of QR codes to a new level. The bakery has launched a line of edible codes; basically, sugar cookies or cakes with QR codes imprinted on them. These cookies were an instant hit, managing to get a 40% scan rate on their launch date, and they were even used at an important conference in Chicago.

How can 1-800-Bakery.com Improve Buy In?

This innovative company could have increased the level of engagement and the number of leads if they had considered a different approach to using QR Codes. For example, by thinking carefully about why someone should scan and what they would get if they did, would have led to significantly more engagement. For example, if they had used a clear Call to Action for the qrcode this campaign would have been more effective. Instead of using the vague “SCAN…to view our website”, they could have urged people to:

• SCAN to see our new new Cookie Bouquet!
• SCAN for an exclusive offer on our Birthday Chocolate Dipped Oreos
• and so on…

This not only gives a clearer Call to Action for the qrcode, but also gives the person scanning a reason to. This time they didn’t just get to visit their webiste, but go to find out about the amazing Cokie Bouquet or get an exclusive offer on another product. The opportunities to increase consumer conversion and cross-sell would have multiplied.

As seen above, QR codes can do magic for a marketing campaign - if they are used wisely. Try to come up with creative and new ideas and you will see your business growing and attracting more customers. Just consider why someone should engage with your brand and what they will get in return.

Find out how we can help your business to:

• brand messages people see when they scan your products and marketing material
• create mobile friendly content fast or let us help you
• display different content at different times with ONE Code
• track your campaign in real-time
• create powerful Calls to Actions that work

Leave you details and we’ll contact you for an informal chat:

QR codes have become very popular both for marketers, businesses and consumers, but whilst they are popular, they are not always presented or placed in practical or consumer-friendly ways. Here follows a few tips and practical examples of different CTAs that will work for businesses in any sector.

A QR Code is Not a Call to Action

It is that simple. Slapping a Code anywhere on your marketing material which only goes to your generic site does not mean you will get thousands of scans and people buying into your product or service. It only means your marketing person has not fully understood the power of using QR Codes. Here’s an example of where they have considered the placement carefully but forgotten other important elements.

The reason this approach doesn’t work as well as it could is that it forgets to:

• explain why someone should scan e.g. Scan to download a map of the best beaches
• provide exclusive information or content e.g. maps, tips for a good day out, restaurant voucher
• show a mobile friendly website

How to Create an Effective QR Code Call to Action

The best Call to Action for a QR code is when a business display the code in an interesting way or offers an incentive when it’s scanned. Give consumers a reason to scan your code and they will  – display a qrcode with no incentive and consumers may not bother to scan your code at all. You don’t need to spend hours thinking of a clever CTA for it to work, just try something like:

Scan:

- to check out exclusive interviews with our designers
- to download the MP3 of [band playing live]‘s single
- for daily for tips to stay in shape this summer
- for weekly for up-to-date idea for starting your own business

So, it’s about keeping it simple. The following examples show both quick and easy CTAs but also more in-depth explanations why a company is using codes and why customers should scan them.

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Useful – Scan to Book a Table

This example was found in a Swedish brasserie in Stockholm (Brasserie Le Rouge to be exact). It’s a simple CTA and encourages customers to scan the code to book a table. Clever placement too, it was found by one of our readers inside the ladies’ rest room.

Clarity – Explain What They Will Get

Golf Monthly also introduced their readers to the fact that they had started using QR Codes in their magazine. What’s particularly good about this example is that Golf Monthly not only showed readers how to scan, but also detailed reasons why they should feel encouraged to do so as they would receive “bonus content related to the article” and that Codes would give them “video tips, interviews and galleries“.

The key to a successful Call to Action for a QR code campaign is to give potential scanners a distinctive reason to scan your code. Once you’ve done that you just need to concentrate on providing interesting content such as a coupon or exclusive information which get consumers involved in your campaign.

Find out how we can help your business to:

• brand messages people see when they scan your products and marketing material
• create mobile friendly content fast or let us help you
• display different content at different times with ONE Code
• track your campaign in real-time
• create powerful Calls to Actions that work

Leave you details and we’ll contact you for an informal chat:

Imagine if you run a gallery, hardware store or clothes shop and you could engage consumers with your products even if you were not around to serve them? How much would you pay to see consumers’ needs being met all the time and, at the same time, give clear Calls to Actions when they browsed your goods? Cue intelligent QR Codes or Dynamic QR Codes. This type of technology will not only allow people to scan to gain insight about the product, they will also show a stylish page with just enough information and visible Call to Action for the consumer to buy in or ask for details. So, how can I use these codes to help my business?

Top 5 Ways to use QR Codes as Your Shop Assistant

1. Product Insight

Most people that scan QR codes do so to gain further information about a brand or particular product. Often consumers want to find out what others think to convince themselves they are making the right choice. Why not provide testimonials about what people really think about your product via the Code? You haven’t got anything to lose – your product is great! Then make sure there is a clear and simple way to buy in – all in the same process.

2. Exclusivity – keep customers coming back for more

We scan QR Codes to get something we can’t get anywhere else. That’s why they are so powerful as you can change what people see when they scan the same qrcode (if you use dynamic qrcodes). So, make sure they really do get something special, like a deal or valuable information about your service, handy tips or similar.

3. Cross Selling: this would work well with…

Place a QR Code by the shelf of your new product to pass on further ideas or offers. For example, someone scans to find out what accessories suits well with a new line of dresses, or to see what other products are available for that specific range of products.

4. A Bit of Fun

If you run a clothes store and notice that spouses or partners tend to hang around waiting patiently for their loved ones trying on that new dress, why not give them something to do that not only is fun but also worthwhile? This make you connect with potentially a new audience as you have not only considered and solved their pain – being bored, restless and so on – but you have also promoted your brand and, if you played your cards right, maybe even given them an opportunity to buy something whilst they waited!

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5. Point of Sale

This is a powerful position to place your newly produced QR Code. Give your customers the best way to end their shopping experience by showing them:

• new or forthcoming products
• a way to stay in touch with you (offer updates via email or call)
• current offers they can only get via that particular code at that specific time

QR Codes can, as you have seen, help you to serve customers when you are not available, but most importantly give them a chance to purchase further items or discover what else your brand has to offer. If you are considering using dynamic qr codes, do it now.

Find out how we can help your business to:

• brand messages people see when they scan your products and marketing material
• create mobile friendly content fast or let us help you
• display different content at different times with ONE Code
• track your campaign in real-time

Leave you details and we’ll contact you for an informal chat:

Not only that, consumers want to scan QR Codes.

Marketers Adopting QR Codes

A report by Multichannel Merchant published in June 2012 shows that 47% of marketers are now using codes, a figure up by 39% compared to last year. A further 15% of marketers haven’t yet used QR codes but are considering using them, and 36% of marketers are not considering using codes at all – but this figure is way down from 72% last year.

Most popular QR code marketing campaigns deliver video, app downloads and product details

Something Valuable, Something New

Consumers are also scanning QR codes more than ever before, with a 157% increase in scans in quarter 1 of 2012 compared to quarter 1 2011. A study by Econsultancy also showed that the most popular QR code marketing campaigns deliver video, app downloads and product details – which shows that the most important aspect in any campaign is to give the consumer something valuable and useful when they scan the code. People want to feel that they gain something they would otherwise not get – exclusivity.

More merchants than ever are now using codes in their print catalogues, postcard and non-catalogue mail pieces. 63.2% of merchants who use codes displayed them in their print catalogues, compared to 35% last year, and 47.4% of merchants displayed them in postcard and non-catalogue mail pieces, compared to 35% last year – a clear shift in use.

Why Get On-board the QR Code Trend?

With all of this data showing exactly how consumers and marketers are embracing QR codes, now is the time for marketers to get on board the trend.

• Coca-Cola have recently used QR codes to link consumers to downloadable content – codes were displayed on cups and in 7-11s around the U.S., with a link to an exclusive app download for iPhone users and a video link for other users – leading to tens of thousands of app downloads.
• Taco Bell launched a campaign to promote their sponsorship of the Video Music Awards, with QR codes linking consumers to exclusive VMA content such as videos, interviews and performance footage. The campaign generated a huge 400,000 scans and also taught Taco Bell about its scan audiences, helping them to shape future campaigns.
• And to top things off, the Royal Bank of Sweden has a QR Code on its 500 krona note.

Clearly, the technology has taken a new turn in mid-2012. Now is the time to take QR codes seriously – they could mean big profits for your business.

Find out how we can help your business to:

• brand messages people see when they scan your products and marketing material
• create mobile friendly content fast or let us help you
• display different content at different times with ONE Code
• track your campaign in real-time

Leave you details and we’ll contact you for an informal chat:

If you are a CEO or business owner, consider this: Almost 4 million people (mainly 25-44 years of age), with an average income of £50+ scan QR Codes because they want to buy products. What if you are not using this technology. Or, even more crucial, what if your business used QR Codes but only sent people to your desktop, non-mobilised website? This is what you are missing out on…

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If you have a serious interest in a QR Code software that can help convert for your business, track ROI, help brand all messages consumers see when they scan as well as produce stylish mobile landing pages, contact us today for a chat.

Find out how we can help your business to:

• brand messages people see when they scan your products and marketing material
• create mobile friendly content fast or let us help you
• display different content at different times with ONE Code
• track your campaign in real-time

In that case, contact us today for an informal chat: