QR code FAIL from the big boys

godinu · 24th Nov 2011, 10:49 AM

I received a mailer the other day reminding me to link my United and Continental frequent flyer miles. Inside was a QR code to link them without having to log on to my online acocunts. I thought this was a pretty cool idea, so I scanned the code, got to a page with 2 buttons (link the accounts or don't link them).
I click to link the codes and it seemed like nothing happened. Tried again and several more times and nothing appeared to be happening. Finally I set my phone down and noticed there was a popup window which was mostly off the screen. I tried to scroll to the popup but it kept moving as if it was set up to be off the screen. It took quite a while to be able to actually click that elusive popup.
I'm guessing the airlines threw a lot of money out there to try to do the latest thing, then had a web designer make something that was not only NOT mobile optimized, but darn near impossible to use on a mobile phone. FAIL.

Mark_Austin · 24th Nov 2011, 10:58 AM

I see this a lot. For every QR code I scan in newspapers only a small amount go to a mobile website or optimised page. The majority of businesses send them direct to their current desktop site. They know they should be using them but they don't know how.

This is great for news for us as it shows the massive potential out there if even the 'big boys' can't get it right. I saw two big UK banks using QR codes recently and neither went to a mobile website.

It's down to us to educate owners of businesses small and large how to use them correctly and in the process help build their business and ours

godinu · 24th Nov 2011, 11:07 AM

EXACTLY. I just scanned one from a local pizza flyer and it does not go to a mobile site, so they'll be getting a call from me next week.

Originally Posted by Mark_Austin

I see this a lot. For every QR code I scan in newspapers only a small amount go to a mobile website or optimised page. The majority of businesses send them direct to their current desktop site. They know they should be using them but they don't know how.

This is great for news for us as it shows the massive potential out there if even the 'big boys' can't get it right. I saw two big UK banks using QR codes recently and neither went to a mobile website.

It's down to us to educate owners of businesses small and large how to use them correctly and in the process help build their business and ours

TerenceParks · 24th Nov 2011, 06:41 PM

Tried again and several more times and nothing appeared to be happening. Finally I set my phone down and noticed there was a popup window which was mostly off the screen. I tried to scroll to the popup but it kept moving as if it was set up to be off the screen. It took quite a while to be able to actually click that elusive popup.

limecellular · 25th Nov 2011, 10:34 AM

Qr is still a new technology in that it's still being perfected and honed. Because with different phones, operating systems and scanning applications, QR is still faulty in that you experience inconsistencies across these mediums. For instance, a phone with an outdated camera may be bad at recognizing the code. Or a scanning program may fail to recognize or implement the action the code was designed for. Keep in mind that QR was originally used for a very specific purpose (to track automobiles through the manufacturing process) and it's only until recently that we recognized and exploited the myriad potential of it. The kinks will be ironed out sooner or later.

midasman09 · 25th Nov 2011, 12:14 PM

Yup....in my little area....da BIG Boys (web techies with lots of overhead to cover)....have gotten into the Mobile Site thing with QR Codes and... guess what...their "Stuff Ain't Workin'!

Excuse da lingo but....with little ol' Quentin Brown's script (and a little innovation) ...I was able to show 5 local biz owners HOW to make their "QR Codes"....WORK!

Don Alm....INnovator

mclpro · 25th Nov 2011, 01:13 PM

Yeah you've got to mobile optimize that page. QR is not a new technology that is being perfected and honed. It's just the failure of marketers to utilize it effectively.

And the more marketers that fail, the more it'll have a bad rap.

ElenaEn · 26th Nov 2011, 01:40 AM

>> Mark_Austin: The majority of businesses send them direct to their current desktop site. They know they should be using them but they don't know how.

Marketers talk about how consumers are not embracing the QR codes, and forget to mention that the main reason of it is marketers messing up the experience in the first place.

herbaluss · 26th Nov 2011, 09:45 AM

Im wondering is it worth giving a call to the newspaper whom are giving these QR codes out and offering a JV venture or will they most likely just give us the shaft and hire somebody else within their own web team?

24th Nov 2011, 10:49 AM	#1
godinu Write and Shine the Light War Room Member Join Date: 2009 Posts: 367 Thanks: 69 Thanked 97 Times in 78 Posts	QR code FAIL from the big boys Share on: I received a mailer the other day reminding me to link my United and Continental frequent flyer miles. Inside was a QR code to link them without having to log on to my online acocunts. I thought this was a pretty cool idea, so I scanned the code, got to a page with 2 buttons (link the accounts or don't link them). I click to link the codes and it seemed like nothing happened. Tried again and several more times and nothing appeared to be happening. Finally I set my phone down and noticed there was a popup window which was mostly off the screen. I tried to scroll to the popup but it kept moving as if it was set up to be off the screen. It took quite a while to be able to actually click that elusive popup. I'm guessing the airlines threw a lot of money out there to try to do the latest thing, then had a web designer make something that was not only NOT mobile optimized, but darn near impossible to use on a mobile phone. FAIL.
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24th Nov 2011, 10:58 AM	#2
Mark_Austin Coach War Room Member Join Date: 2009 Location: Spain Posts: 229 Thanks: 73 Thanked 128 Times in 94 Posts	Re: QR code FAIL from the big boys Share on: I see this a lot. For every QR code I scan in newspapers only a small amount go to a mobile website or optimised page. The majority of businesses send them direct to their current desktop site. They know they should be using them but they don't know how. This is great for news for us as it shows the massive potential out there if even the 'big boys' can't get it right. I saw two big UK banks using QR codes recently and neither went to a mobile website. It's down to us to educate owners of businesses small and large how to use them correctly and in the process help build their business and ours
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24th Nov 2011, 06:41 PM	#4
TerenceParks Warrior Member Join Date: 2011 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: QR code FAIL from the big boys Share on: Tried again and several more times and nothing appeared to be happening. Finally I set my phone down and noticed there was a popup window which was mostly off the screen. I tried to scroll to the popup but it kept moving as if it was set up to be off the screen. It took quite a while to be able to actually click that elusive popup.
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25th Nov 2011, 10:34 AM	#5
limecellular Active Warrior War Room Member Join Date: 2011 Posts: 49 Thanks: 16 Thanked 20 Times in 14 Posts	Re: QR code FAIL from the big boys Share on: Qr is still a new technology in that it's still being perfected and honed. Because with different phones, operating systems and scanning applications, QR is still faulty in that you experience inconsistencies across these mediums. For instance, a phone with an outdated camera may be bad at recognizing the code. Or a scanning program may fail to recognize or implement the action the code was designed for. Keep in mind that QR was originally used for a very specific purpose (to track automobiles through the manufacturing process) and it's only until recently that we recognized and exploited the myriad potential of it. The kinks will be ironed out sooner or later.
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25th Nov 2011, 12:14 PM	#6
midasman09 Banned Join Date: 2009 Posts: 1,279 Thanks: 7 Thanked 1,525 Times in 531 Posts	Re: QR code FAIL from the big boys Share on: Yup....in my little area....da BIG Boys (web techies with lots of overhead to cover)....have gotten into the Mobile Site thing with QR Codes and... guess what...their "Stuff Ain't Workin'! Excuse da lingo but....with little ol' Quentin Brown's script (and a little innovation) ...I was able to show 5 local biz owners HOW to make their "QR Codes"....WORK! Don Alm....INnovator

25th Nov 2011, 01:13 PM	#7
mclpro Swag Promo Expert War Room Member Join Date: 2010 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 95 Thanks: 1 Thanked 11 Times in 9 Posts	Re: QR code FAIL from the big boys Share on: Yeah you've got to mobile optimize that page. QR is not a new technology that is being perfected and honed. It's just the failure of marketers to utilize it effectively. And the more marketers that fail, the more it'll have a bad rap.
	Dan Verhaeghe Marketing Specialist McLoughlin Promotions http://www.mcloughlin.ca/insights http://www.twitter.com/mclpro

26th Nov 2011, 01:40 AM	#8
ElenaEn Active Warrior Join Date: 2011 Posts: 50 Thanks: 0 Thanked 28 Times in 13 Posts	Re: QR code FAIL from the big boys Share on: >> Mark_Austin: The majority of businesses send them direct to their current desktop site. They know they should be using them but they don't know how. Marketers talk about how consumers are not embracing the QR codes, and forget to mention that the main reason of it is marketers messing up the experience in the first place.

26th Nov 2011, 09:45 AM	#9
herbaluss HyperActive Warrior Join Date: 2011 Location: Ontario , Canada Posts: 128 Thanks: 15 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	Re: QR code FAIL from the big boys Share on: Im wondering is it worth giving a call to the newspaper whom are giving these QR codes out and offering a JV venture or will they most likely just give us the shaft and hire somebody else within their own web team?