TimothyW

Maybe a dumb question...

If I create a QR code for a client, doesn't these TWO things need to be true?...

1) Most phones must have a qr reader app already installed (no hoops for potential customers to jump through).

2) All qr reader apps must read ANY qr code the same (yield the same result).

But... from what I hear, some qr code readers "are better than others."

I don't get it.

What % of phones ALREADY have a qr reader installed?

Do all qr code readers interpret any particular qr code the same? If so, how can some reader apps be "better than others?"

If there ARE discrepencies, how can I explain them to the client? -- like, "this qr code will work MOST of the time [weak, weasely explanation follows]."

Please advise.

Thanks!

-- TW

HypeText

1) I am unaware of any smartphone that comes with a QR Code Reader installed. The smartphone owner needs to download an install the app.

The good news is that they are free. Apps are Software....and some software is better than other software...just the way it is.

2) The most common Protocol on QR Codes is pretty much standard on all the QR Code Scanner Apps. Google has its own rendition called a Google Tag but it hasnt really caught on.

Rojak Moon

Hi TW...
Don't over think it. It's simple really. Just create the QR Code, test it on your phone, send it to several of your friends and relatives to see if it works, deliver it to your client. Now...

There is no "standard" QR Code reader that I'm aware of. They are all apps built by different people, companies, etc. and for different phones. Some simple, some versatile, some suck, some don't and some are just perfect for... (drum roll) You! Meaning their subjective in that each user will decide on which Reader they like and use.

Don't be concerned with what you can't control. Instead of trying to figure out which is the best QR Code Reader since it is up to the individual user which one he or she likes. If the question is brought up by the client, point it out that the reason for so many different Readers is due to the tremendous growth of QR Code usage by consumers who are scanning these codes with one of the millions of Smart Phones being produced each year. Immediately, change the direction of the conversation by telling them all the ways you can develop and manage different campaigns using their new QR Code for them. Just saying. :-)
Rojak

rlhurst

Good idea to include the url along with the qr code so those who haven't (or don't want to) get the app, can still access the site by entering the url manually.

And there's no such thing as a dumb question!

Jay Moreno

Not all qr codes reader apps are the same

I am thinking the difference in a qr code reader app being better than an another is based on the user interaction when scanning a qr code and it's other features... I have tested several and there are slight variations...

For example...

1) do you have to click as you would to take a photo to complete the scan - bad
2) does the qr code app collect data from each of your scans for its own stats - bad
3) does the qr code auto launch your default browser
4) does the qr code let you read a qr code from a photo
5) does the qr code open the link in its own proprietary browser - bad
6) does the app give keep a history of your scans

To me these are just a few features that set qr code reader apps apart from each other, I have also had problems with scanning custom qr codes as well as sometimes some scan much quicker than others

Differences in qr codes themselves I would say come down to the way they are deployed - I have seen several very poorly displayed ie quality wise, for print you should always use a vector qr code especially when scaling or resizing the qr code.

Error correction settings will make it more likely to fail if it's set low and anything distorts the ability to scan the qr code - and am talking the simplest things like sunlight and shadows being cast onto it! I always use the max 30% error correction.

Deviating from anything that's considered a standard black and white qr code all I can say is test and test again when generating customized qr codes. I possibly have our custom qr codes tested 10 times over on different apps and devices.

Hope that helps

Cheers

Jay

MacS09

QR Codes are still new for most people, so we are still in the Early Adopter stage. But barriers to entry are pretty much zero.

Here is an example:

I took my daughter and a friend to an exhibition a few weeks back. One exhibit was a dress with a QR code printed on it.
My daughter does not have a smartphone (yet) but has a iPod Touch 4. What did she do? Because the museum had free wifi, she downloaded an app (as she didn't know which one she asked a young woman standing next to her who had a smartphone), scanned the qr code and enjoyed the video that went along with it.

As said before, it isn't worth to overthink this. Just test and double test that the QR code actually works in the size you want to display it.

I hope this helps

Max

HypeText

When we deploy a QR Code as part of a Marketing strategy we always ensure we also have a Shortcode & Keyword to go with it.

While Smartphone usage is on the rise, not every Smartphone user has, or wants to download, a QR Code Scanner App.

Additionally, only an estimated 45% of Cellphones are currently Smartphones.

It's definitely not a good idea to exclude 55% of a potential customer base!

Meyowza

1) Must have QR Reader to Read QR.
2)Yes

Some readers are better than others. Some read faster and scan better than others. some have features to save scans and share or even view the image that was scanned in the past.