Daniel LaRusso

I read about an august 2011 study by comshare where they found that around 6% of current smartphone users scan QR codes. I know that just my own casual observation showed me that to be close; but try yourself to observe people in a best buy or mall, and see how many actually scan all those well made and content rich QR codes.

Personally, I see this as an opportunity rather than a threat, and think that as more consumers become more aware of QR codes and what they can do, the more they will use them.

How cool would it be if you could get permission from a mall in your area with a lot.of foot traffic to raise awareness of QR codes? You could get the mall or merchants to foot the bill for a huge sandwich board or easel that has a catchy headline about QR codes, and then has a bunch of actual QR codes for local businesses (who you currently or later sell your services to).

You could show people how to download a QR reader app and scan the codes for discounts to local merchants and even have a random QR code that would give a lucky winner a $100 bill right there on the spot. You could make custom QR codes right there from your laptop for people with any message you want.

Monetizing this could come from working with local businesses and getting your name out there.

Still, do you think its accurate to say that about 6% of current smartphone users scan QR codes?

It is unwise to trust all you read on the internet.
- Benjamin Franklin

SoCalMarketing

mhhhh... suddenly I have an urge to go to the mall.
Very solid idea.. not sure about the percentage, of course location may vary. LA, NY probably has a higher percentage, the heartland... maybe not so much. I personally really like QR codes.. they are new, easy to implement, easy to use, INEXPENSIVE, and so flexible on their use.. sky is the limit!

You have a great idea ... hope you run with it.

Daniel LaRusso

That's sort of my point. Did you read the idea I had about how to educate consumers, position yourself as an authority, and monetize this with local businesses?

I'm saying that the utilization of QR codes is in its' infancy, and a great opportunity for a savvy marketer to make some good money.

It is unwise to trust all you read on the internet.
- Benjamin Franklin

YellowGreenMedia

QR codes are never going to fly, i for one am not going to educate people about QR codes, i have better things to do then walk around with a sandwich board in a mall...

The idea behind QR codes is a good one but6 sadly for us people are not interested in them... i am going to use QR codes for my clients when everybody knows about them... i want to see that my client get a good ROI for everything he invests in on my advice... and i would never ever advice the use of QR codes... i rather use texting... this is something everybody understand

Daniel LaRusso

I remember seeing teenagers texting, and thinking to myself "why is there such a fuss over texting, why not just pick up the phone and call?". I also remember being at a Christmas party about three years ago, and some people my age, in their late 30s, were texting to their kids. Again, I thought "why are they texting, what's the point, when you can just pick up the phone and call them. I don't EVER see myself texting".

Now, I probably text more than I call.

Will QR codes replace texting? Probably not, but I think that realizing the full potential of QR codes at an early state like this is a great opportunity. I don't care if you don't want to try the idea or not, and it's not the only way to inform people about QR codes. It's just a thought.

I would wager that at one time, less than 6% of smarthphone users texted, too.

It is unwise to trust all you read on the internet.
- Benjamin Franklin

YellowGreenMedia

Maybe it will take off (which i highly doubt because they have been around for a long time now) but for now this is not something i would recommend my clients, they will not have a ROI when they put money in QR codes simply because nobody knows what QR codes are. And business owners have no time or the will to educate their customers on how to download a app, install an app, how to scan a QR code... That is just not going to happen... but everybody understands texting and that will give the business owner a good ROI... that is the difference imho.

TO

I agree that text marketing applications will bring a much better ROI. QR codes could end up being a passing fad, but it is still to early to tell. I wonder if the 6% figure is international or US based? I would imagine that the numbers would be higher in Asian countries? If 6% is an international number - that could make the US percentage incredibly low?

512 Designs

Here's the best application of QR Codes I've seen so far.


Mike

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WillR

Yeah, I saw this video a few months ago. The only problem I see with a use like this is the lack of Internet connection in underground places like subway stations.

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512 Designs

That's true. But where I live, we have lots of tunnels that go through mountains and I never lose internet connectin (I listen to Pandora in the car while driving through them). Turns out (after talking to a guy I know who works for the cell phone industry), they run some sort of antennas through the tunnels which is why we don't lose connection.

I'm not sure if would be the same for subway systems, but I would think South Korea would have a handle on that technology.

Mike

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WillR

Oh yeah, there's no doubting they are way ahead of everyone else when it comes to stuff like this... over here in Australia though you're still pretty lucky to get good reception in the underground train system.

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johnducky

I agree that marketing applications will text an ROI much better. QR codes can become a fad, but it is still early to say. I wonder if the figure of 6% ​​is international or U.S. based? I imagine the number would be higher in Asian countries? If 6% is an international number - which could make the U.S. rate incredibly low?

Keshav Stocks

midasman09

I agree with the person above who said the QR Codes he's seen do NOT "give a reason" to Scan them. I get QR Codes on my Bank Deposit Slips and Monthly Statements with NO REASON given as to WHY I should scan them.

So....here's how my "team" is using QR Codes;

1) We chose a Market Niche where the probability of Niche Members having a Smart Phone....is High. Tourists/Travlers checking into hotels/motels.

2) We provide a VERY GOOD REASON for our Niche Market (tourists/travelers) to WANT to whip out their Smart Phone and Scan the Code! Knowing that our Niche Market does NOT carry FOOD with them, chances are they are HUNGRY and would be VERY INTERESTED in "Finding Places to EAT or...Have Food Delivered to their Rooms (ala PIZZA)...so, we provide "Signs"....both at the Front Desk AND in the Rooms that say;

"SCAN HERE....FOR LOCAL BAR and RESTAURANT DIRECTORY" (Graphic of people eating & drinking)

And....we also BOOST the "Reason" to Scan our Codes with;

"SCAN HERE....FOR GREAT OFFERS FROM LOCAL BARS and RESTAURANTS!"

(We also place the following below the QR Code; TEXT LOCALDEALS TO 541-555-1234)

Thus....those who are now using or intending to use, QR Codes...need to WAKE UP!....to the realization they must provide a "Reason To Scan"! And when they do, you will see more of them.

As an example; I just received a new Phone Book and ON THE COVER is a QR Code with the instructions;
Look Inside.
Find a Business.
Scan the code.
Get business information, coupons, reviews and more.

Then....below, in small type;
Download a Reader at DexKnows.com/scan

And....this same info, on FULL PAGES, is laced thru the book. So, the Phone Book publishers "see the handwriting on the wall". And, their sales reps are pushing for advertisers to include QR Codes in their Ads!

Ohhh.....guess who is also providing (and charging for) building the Mobile Sites?

Don Alm....on the Front Line

YellowGreenMedia

Sorry but i disagree here^^, i am working in hotel/restaurant/bar niche and i can tell you one thing that people are not going to do, they are not going scan QR codes when they are on a night out... That is just not going to happen... If you go out to eat when you're on your holiday or on a date or something, you can't be bothered to download an app and then figure out how to scan a QR code to get some kind of discount... while you could be bothered when you just have to sent a text message "discount' to 1111 for a code that gets you 10% of your bill.

That is my argument against QR codes, it is to much of a hassle and because 95% of the normal western population have no clue of what QR codes are.... there is no way to justify to my clients to have them make a investment on a marketing tool like QR codes...

Maybe if you give it away for free as a bonus... but still they have to print new menu's and billing forms and stuff like that. that can cost a lot a money real fast... And business owners are not going to make their money back fast... so i stick to my conclusion that if 95% of the western population don't have a clue what QR codes are they are useless as a marketing tool for small business owners... simply because the timeline it takes to make their investment back is way to long due to the lack of people knowing about it.

midasman09

Excusemwa....I'm referring to "People who check into MOtels"! NOT people who are ALREADY in a Bar or Rest.

After they register and pay for their room....the clerk gives them a Key to their room;

They enter their room....
1) set down their baggage
2) go potty
3) pick up the tv remote and look for their favorite channels
4) when they discover their fav channels are NOT where they are on their home system...they look at the Card that says in BIG letters;
"TV CHANNEL GUIDE"

ON this Card (that gives them info as to where to find Channels) is where they see how they can "USE THEIR PHONE" to get info on "Where To Eat or Get Food Delivered to them!"

And....I'm NOT referring to fancy-schmancy HOtels....I'm talking about MOtels!

Don Alm

adribabe

QR codes have been around for years and 94% of people still refuse to use them. This isn't something record breaking or something about to blow up. We first used them at a marketing company I worked at over two years ago. Growth in QR codes use is probably low, and slow, for a reason. The numbers seem to show I'm not the only person out there who isn't interested.

Motorcycles

mtnbiker50

QR codes might have been around for years, true but it hasn't been till the last couple that the growth of "smartphones" has taken off. As more and more get the newer phones and companies start taking advantage of them will the use go up.
As was stated earlier it seem like only teenager's texted and now everyone does.
You can either be out front or play catch up later... the wave is rolling...

Maraun

QR code support should be integrated into the core functionality of smartphones, so that it isn't necessary to install an app for it. If you take a picture of a code with your camera, the code should be evaluated directly. Right now it's just too much work and as others said, there is no really value added for the consumer. Why should someone spend even 3 seconds to get to see an ad?

To raise awareness you could do games with them. Place/Hide them around the store and award points for customers who scan them all/find a certain percentage etc.

javarog

I found them a valuable tool the other day as i went about looking for tablets and laptops,,, each one had a qr code,, took me 3 seconds to whip out the phone and grab the codes,, when I was finished shopping I went home and reviewed my qr code record of what I shopped for... It came in real handy..

If we are not in the forefront of this market and when it becomes a normal activity for people then I am afraid the folks sitting on the sidelines waiting may just be to late to join in..

javarog

Ahhh forgot one thing,, they said automobiles would never catch on also,airplanes,tv,phones,cell phones, computers and light bulbs... funny how that goes

DougPage

I only started looking at IM in September. I remember coming across QR Madness course and thinking just how brilliant. Never saw any used however. Three months later, they are showing up in many, many places - on fruit and vegetable labels, on store shelves, directly on packaging, real estate ads, many newspaper ads, on liquor bottles, etc. That's just in three months. It's a matter of finding a useful application for the user to want to scan. I scan QR codes all the time in stores and make sure that people see me. Everyone wants to know what I'm doing and many ask. Small business owners start asking more questions and I now tell them that I create mobile websites and develop QR code programs. Hand them a card and usually go collect some cash in 1 to 2 weeks.

In my offline business, I've started putting labels on all the machinery we sell with a label that says "Scan the QR code above and you will retrieve a current price list of all replacement parts". All I needed to do was to create a simple webpage that the user is redirected to and they can even order on line. Haven't had anyone order anything off the page but there are people looking.

I also agree that smartphone use is just starting to blossom. Although I loved the thought of owning such a device, I found it difficult to justify the cost when it seems you're only 15 minutes from a desktop computer that you can use. When a startup cell company offered everything, unlimited and no speed decrease for $30/mo I could no longer avoid the plunge. With this kind of aggressive pricing the traditional cell phone companies are feeling it and have created a second business to offer low cost plans. It's this kind of competition that is finally going to get Mobile flying for 2012. And I know I'm not alone. Just listen to anything Google has to say these days. The majority is about Mobile and how 2012 is going to accelerate exponentially. I'm looking forward to it.

beefandy

Hmmm I'm surprised its even as high as 6%

Nobody I know uses them..

Think they are more popular in Asia

Tess D

Don, you are 100% on this - as someone who used to travel A LOT, the first thing I do is 1. check in, 2. put down bags, 3. go potty, 4. wonder where the heck to eat something that is not a cold pizza or overpriced greasy nastiness. Setting up small hotels or motels that have restaurants attached or nearby would let people get "room service" hassle free. Brilliant!

NewParadigm

How much traffic have you had w/ the in-room motel restaurant directory? Most motels I have stayed at have had menus/lists of local restaurants already.

One advantage is w/ a smart phone scanning a code, you could have driving directions right on your phone. It always sucks writing down directions or asking front desk.

I see the value of QR codes for mobile is cutting down the hassle of data entry. a QR code to simply replace a phone number doesn't add much value, but saving to type in a URL or do a search for a site or get directions is helpful. Going from paper ads/marketing to virtual is valuable.

Agree that America will be a little slow on the uptake, but mobile is here to stay. It will really blossom when capability is built in to the phone when taking a pic w/ the cam, the code is auto recognized w/out having to D/L and launch an app.

The augmented reality is real fascinating as well. Google places at shopping malls? opportunity, built in mall directory on your phone etc..

HypeText

The numbers are all over the place depending on who is providing them...

According to this article...

18pc of tech-savvy shoppers make a purchase after scanning a QR code: Survey - Mobile Commerce Daily - Research

1/2 of Smartphone users have scanned QR Codes and 18% have made a purchase after doing so...