QR Codes being used online

As I was working on creating a new print media giveaway ad the other day, I went and generated a QR code to allow people to enter the contest from their smart phones.  While I was doing this, it got me thinking about how many times I had seen a QR code placed on images used on the web.   A lot of people have QR codes on their Facebook profile pictures that point to their business or website of interest etc…  If you are already online to see this QR code, it is extremely simple to just visit the website in another tab on your browser.  Therefore, putting a web address seems more effective in most cases.  What if you were viewing that image on your smart phone already?  That’s right, you wouldn’t be able to scan it and see where it takes you.

QR codes are meant for print media to allow someone to scan them with a phone and create a live interactive online user experience. Taking print and making it live!  I suppose you can use them for pretty much anything and everything these days, but using them online just seems like it takes up valuable real estate that you could be advertising contact numbers, emails, or website addresses.  A more valuable call to action seems like a smarter step to take than adding another step for someone to get to the point of contact with your company.

Yes, QR codes are the next, newest big thing however you want to look at it.  However, we need to think about how we are going to use these items to be effective in our marketing and make sure they are being used properly.

I would be interested to hear your opinions on this?

Jon Gabrio
Owner

Apex Advertising LLC

jon@apexadllc.com