By Carie Statz, Marketing and Sales Instructor

Quick Response codes or QR codes are used by organizations, both profit and non-profit, to drive people to content on the web.

When your prospects see a QR code in a print ad, on signage, or basically anywhere they can take a picture through a camera-enabled smartphone, they can be transported to a webpage your organization designates. No more requiring people to remember website addresses to get to your company’s information.

The QR code is similar to a barcode except that the bar code is one-dimensional, while the QR code is two-dimensional and can hold more information.

Are QR codes new? In a sense they are, since we are seeing more of them in the US in last couple years, but countries like Japan have used them for nearly a decade.

You may see various kinds of codes on print ads. Most are black and white QR codes (http://www.denso-wave.com/qrcode/index-e.html). However, some are multi-colored and are called MS tags can only be read through Microsoft’s Tag Reader app (http://tag.microsoft.com/home.aspx).

You can create a QR code through many websites. Some of the most famous creators are: http://invx.com

 www.mobi2go.net

Prospects need an app to read QR codes with their smartphones. Most can find these apps by doing a search for the right one that works best on their phones.

Organizations are finding QR codes fit easily on business cards, marketing print materials, sides of vehicles, on products or their packaging, at tradeshow displays, and even on point of sale receipts.

The potential for QR codes is limitless! Don’t miss out on this marketing strategy.