Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

The other day in one of the posts a person posted this youtube video.


I put this video on my Aussie website last week and had a call in Australia asking if I could do a presentation for a very large pharmaceutics company with a huge number of outlets.

Now you might think this would take a lot to set up however its a lot easier than you may think and worth a lot of money.

1. You need an enterprise solution

Probably one of the best solutions for this would be Big Commerce as it has a great mobile solution that is included for free and is fully scale-able.

Once set up you simply copy the link that says add to cart and link with a QR Code.

2. Generate QR Codes.

Now these big companies will want stats so you can use our QR Code Tracking software to create the QR Codes. 500 QR Codes for $10 a month.

Membership options

3. Add the products and test

Set up the shopping cart and start adding products or outsource.

4. Outsource building the product walls.

There would be a lot of companies in your local area that can do this.

Basically you would be a Project Manager taking commissions etc off all aspects.

There are heaps of different price points for this type of project which you ay want to discuss.

You would have get quotes for the wall but all the rest is above.

We are going to quote $10,000 including first 200 products plus updating service and product changes on a monthly basis once we get the full scope for this client.

Discuss!
Q

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

I saw this video a couple of weeks ago also, very inspiring!

The idea is very good and I think these types of QR code implementations are overlooked by a lot of marketeers..

What is your status on the shopping mall concepts? Any new info? I'm also talking to two shoppingmalls so I hope to give an update on that in the near future.

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

Great information, thanks Quentin!

It's a lot of work, but the payoff is HUGE if you can pull it off.

Thanks for sharing with us this great idea.

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

I also saw that video in the other post. Definitely one of the most creative uses of mobile commerce I've ever seen. Very, very cool.

So basically the "walls" are just printed images on back-lit panels, right? That would be pretty simple, from a construction standpoint.

I'd be curious to know what kind of response you get for this at the presentation. Definitely keep us posted!

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

QR Codes are freaking everywhere just seen one in the newest Godaddy commerical. But I don't get what the big deal is... I've never once scanned a QR code or cared, but the corps love 'em.

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

Agreed. QR Codes are everywhere!!

Great post Quentin

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

Quentin, you mentioned Big Commerce as a way to do this, but do they have the ability to tie a QR code into a product so that when the QR is scanned the product goes in the mobile shopping cart? That would be awesome if it was that easy.

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

Great post Quentin. This really is showing how beautiful QR codes can be used in campaigns.

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

Wow Quentin this is amazing. Could you possibly PM/e-mail me to talk more about this? I am very interested.

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

I really can't see this being anymore than a fad. They are trialing it here in Australia now but I would bet all the money I had that it will not last. It's much easier to just go home and order online or just go to the shop and pickup the items.

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

Well I agree with you will but after I put that video on my QR Website I have had a few calls in already form big chains and not necessarily using it the same way but derivations of the idea. So don't throw out the baby with the bathwater.

xlfutur1

You can add a product very easily to a shopping cart with big commerce but at the moment we are also looking at adding a scanner in the shopping cart.

Scan this QR Code with your Phone and it will add it to your cart.

http://api.qrserver.com/v1/create-qr...3&size=250x250

Quentin

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

Quentin,

No doubt there are always going to be companies who want to be seen as being ahead of the gang -- and if you can sell them services like this then by all means.

I just don't see it being a long-term thing because I don't truly believe it makes the buying experience any easier for the customer.

One thing they are now doing here in Australia is mobile supermarkets. You order your goods online before a certain time and you can then pick them up from a truck at a service station near where you live in the evening. I think something like that is more user friendly. You could order your groceries whilst sitting at work and pick them up on the way home.

That's something I would actually use -- the other, not so much.

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

As I said the client that contacted me was a chemist chain not a supermarket.

Q

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

So they contacted you simply because you had this video on your site, even though its not your video or your doing originally and theres nothing on your site suggesting youve delivered this ?

Nothing wrong with that as I know you walk the walk etc etc and your site would show that, Im just a bit amazed at how responsive business people can be to a video seemingly assuming its all the site owners own work :-)

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

Hi Everyone..
I am new to these QR codes..and I am a newbie here in the Forum...I am looking to learn more definitely....Quentin...I was interested in learning more. If you can email me that would be great. I am at salt2222@gmail.com.

I hope everyone is doing well and can put up with my questions since Im new and trying to learn..lol

Thanks Everyone..
John (salt2222)

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

That is really great video.

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

Mike I have been preaching this a long time that we use websites to bring in our clients.

They came looking at our QR Code site and I am a major player in this field in Australia being no 1 in Goggle for QR Codes in Australia.

I get radio stations calling, businesses and much more as I am promoting QR Codes and my upsell is the mobile website.

I have also been doing this for quite a while so get a lot of referrals from business and corporate sites wanting to look at this technology.

It did not happen overnight.

Q

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

Hi Mike

I have been doing this a long time and preaching to get referrals through websites.

We are selling QR Codes with mobile websites as the upsell and we are no 1 in Australia for QR Codes and get called by radio stations etc all the time.

We get referrals from businesses and corporate clients all the time of which I try and share some in here.

I never promoted this as my work just that it is another use of QR Codes.

Quentin

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

Quentin I am totally aware of that, my post was more an admission of that ie youre already well positioned and recognised in this field and deservedly so , rather than simply putting up a video and getting the business, and I was certainly not and never would accuse you of pretending the video etc was your work .

This shows the importance of positioning and regular content getting seen by those that matter , which you certainly do well on here and in the big WWW.

My apologies if my post came across as anything other than impressed with you and your great people.

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

What do you guys think would be the success rate for this if you put up posters at bus stops in your local cbd for lets say an app?

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

Depends on what the app was!

People at bus stops might download an app with timetable of buses.

Q

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

Those walls of fake products look pretty expensive to make and probably difficult to manage any changes.

What about a projector putting an HD image on a wall w/ the products/codes to scan? They could be changed remotely and even changed depending on time of day. Have breakfast/lunch items in the morning commute delivered to office, and dinner stuff later in the day?

i have an HD projector and 11 foot screen. It looks like a freakin LCD picture! They are now bright enough as long as you arent doused by a bunch of natural light. Even a rear projection setup could be somewhat interactive as well.

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

That sounds very complicated for something that could all be done online anyway. Just send them to a webpage where they can select the products right there. As soon as the example in the top of this post started getting busy, it would be a pain in the butt trying to get around through the crowds and scan the products you wanted. You need to be right in front of them for it to work.

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

I know its not ready yet, but when NFC is widerspread it would be better suited to this , but hey if people are willing to buy it then people are needed to deliver it

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

Thanks for this Quentin. I'm looking to include more QR codes to help my clients with online sales. This is a great vid.

Personally, I do t think that QR codes are going to go away just because NFC is coming.

The concept in the video is fantastic. However, I doubt that could be translated to Aussie consumers in the way that, that campaign did.

Anyway, glad to be finally back in WF. There is so much gold here.

Edit: also I think $10k is low balling. There's heaps of analysis required before you go and embark on a campaign similar to Tesco. All of these activities need to be aligned with the rest of the client's digital strategy and marketing efforts.

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

Nice post Quentin, food for thought in that vid!

Looks like its in an underground subway, I assume they can get an internet connection? Great use of QR codes but I cant help thinking an app would be better for this purpose.

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

It's basically a cool billboard in a mass traffic area. An app would work but it would not have the same visual impact.

Billboards in mass traffic areas are still a great way to get your message out. This just brings it into the 21st century.

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

It's very gimmicky though. When you actually sit back and think about things, it's not really a very good way to sell products. I saw it on the news and there were not a whole lot of people using it when they showed it and even then they were all ducking around each other to scan things -- imagine if it got busy. It would be a nightmare.

One lesson you need to remember in marketing is just because something looks cool does not mean it works or is worth the time and money. Sure, this LOOKS cool and is pretty cutting edge but I would bet all the money in the world this thing is not there in another half a year.

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

I think QR Will be around for a while. Embrace it and make some money. QR codes will make the connection between offline and online worlds easier.

Starbucks
http://mashable.com/2010/10/24/starb...bile-new-york/

from:
http://mashable.com/2011/03/04/qr-codes-infographic/

Calvin Klein
From:
http://mashable.com/2010/07/13/calvi...ode-billboard/

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

I have no doubt QR codes will be around for a while, what I was referring to was this particular use of QR codes. In fact the shopping centre using this same setup here in Australia is not even using QR codes in the ads. They have regular product barcodes. You then install their app on your phone and you can scan the barcode of the items straight into their app. It totally bypasses the need for QR codes.

When you look at the info-graphic above and see that QR codes first originated back in 1994, for them to still be relatively new and unknown to the large population nearly 18 years later tells me they were never destined to be a big hit (Japan is a different market). I understand that with the ever increasing popularity of mobile devices we now have a better chance of them taking off but I still don't see them becoming as mainstream as people think they will.

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

You can encode a regular 1-dimensional horizontal bar code with a hyperlink. But why would you? We're all accustomed to ignoring them. The principal benefit of QR codes is that they catch the eye

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

yeah this is very cool. You can get a QR code made for free though. And yes they're all over the place these days and they do work. Not everyone has caught on yet...but they will. I am in California and work with builders who use them alot now and they track really well. In order to get people to scan them it is helpful to put some copy underneath the code telling them what to do. Some people have no idea yet.

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

I agree with you Tyler

Saying they are a gimmick means you don't really understand the market as we live in an unreal world here in the warrior forum as we tend to see new things very quickly, however the real world is ages behind.

While QR Codes have been around for a long time they have only been in the marketing field for a very short time.

Now they are not just for sending people to websites as they can also be used to get people to download apps business cards messages and so much more.

I am finding manufactures are loving them because space on their actual products can be at a real premium so adding technical information, dietary and other information is a great application for them.

The other things is they can just be fun.


A youth club did a treasure hunt using QR Codes, I stuck a few around Bangkok and got some responses just to see what would happen. Shame I don't speak enough Thai.

Quentin

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

I find the majority of people pushing the worth of QR codes nowadays are those selling some type of QR code services. I'm not directing that at you specifically Quentin, I am just saying in the general scheme of things that's what I have noticed.

They have now been around in the mainstream market for about 2-3 years, I remember scanning them with my Blackberry about 2 years ago, but they still haven't taken off. In this day and age if things take that long to gain any traction then yes, I will question their effectiveness.

I'll eat my words if proven wrong but so far it has not happened. The proof is in the pudding and so far QR codes are very rarely used in the scheme of things. You might see them being used and talked about all over this forum and even on the occasional packaging, but talk to most people in the street and they couldn't even tell you what it is.

That's not just my opinion, that is fact.

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

Are you talking about Aus or globally?

I'll agree with you if you are being specific to Aus. Take up here has been relatively cold but it is moving towards luke warm.

Regarding the example above, don't forget that Koreans behave differently. Its seemingly a success over there so I would not be surprised to see the grocery billboard there for a long time.

However you couldn't cookie cutter that campaign here. Eg. Woolies couldn't do that for Sydney using the train stations. it would cost too much for the "delivery by the time you finish work". Then theres the graffiti. Also, as you stated, you (and presumably a whole lot of Aussies) find it easier to drop by the shops after work. This is completely different to the Koreans who "dread" weekly grocery shopping.

FYI, I'm not directly pushing QR codes as I've not had clients who want the "lot" and my core service are to the left of QR codes. Though I wouldn't mind getting a large enough marketing account that would include a QR code campaign.

@Quentin, do you know if GEO data is captured at the point of the scan and if the GEO data is easy to collect by the QR code owner?

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

I am talking the main English markets, AUS, US, and UK.

What are you basing that on though? Take up cannot be judged by how many advertisers are using QR codes or how often you see them on packaging, etc. It does not mean people are scanning them.

Their effectiveness can only be judged on how reactive consumers have been and in the time they have been around, they have not caught on anywhere near as quickly as they should have.

You do realize Woolies are currently trialing this exact same campaign in Town Hall station in Sydney and various other places around Australia? Take a look at the video below and see how many people are standing around looking at it. What a waste of a marketing budget if you ask me. Couldn't find a better example of the non effectiveness of this type of marketing if you tried. All that's missing is the sound of crickets in the background. :)

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

Well I'll be. I haven't been to Syd for a few months. It looks brand new.

Lols. like I said, you couldn't take that campaign and cookie cutter here. Aussies probably love grocery shopping a little more than our Korean contemporaries.

Regarding basis on QR code usage moving forward in the right direction, nothing scientific. Gut feel more than anything. Same gut feel about mobile phenomenon.

Anyway, I know which part of Town Hall that Woolies campaign is. That part, noone stops. Its an area that most commuters walk past. Why would they stop there? That's why that billboards are actually in front of where people wait. Not in the thorough fare. Also, the Woolies is pretty much just above that. They would have gotten more value from a sign the said "Woolworths is just over there" with a big arrow pointing in the direction.

I agree that its a waste of marketing money from Woolies. It was probably a pitch by one of the larger digital agencies and they probably charged Woolies more than milk and bread. There's a difference between gimmicks and true marketing based on data, information,knowledge and strategy.

Didn't see much on the Twittersphere about it, nothing on FB, no trad media buzz. I certainly hope that they don't think putting this up is enough to get people to change their behaviour.

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

Its all great information and whether you like them or hate them it really doesn't matter that much as they are just a marketing tool which you will choose to use or not use.

Heck I hear comments for SMS, email marketing, mobile websites and all the other tools we use saying they are fads etc.

Having said this a lot of our clients like this stuff and use many of these different products with varying success.

We mainly use QR Codes as a way to differentiate us from all the other web designers, marketers and SEO people in the marketplace when doing talks or cold calling and works great for us.

As for their adoption I just go on how successful they are for our clients and again this varies on the way they are used.

So in the end are they a fad or not really is not the issue. Can they help your client is.

Quentin

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

QR Codes are freaking everywhere just seen one in the newest Godaddy commerical. But I don't get what the big deal is... I've never once scanned a QR code or cared, but the corps love 'em.

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

This is EXACTLY what I am talking about. It's great to see them being used by businesses but this comment echoes that of the majority. Effectiveness cannot be measured by the number of advertisers using them but the number of people scanning them. Since the large majority of people still do not even know what a QR code is, I don't see anything to gain from using them.

The general argument is that it's easier to quickly scan a QR code with your phone to visit a website. It's not true though. If you want to allow people to get to your website easily then purchase a nice short .mobi domain for your business. It'll actually be just as quick to type that in than to start up your QR code app and scan the QR code. In fact the majority don't even have the QR code app on their phones to start with so you're missing out on a large proportion of the market.

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

QR codes do two things well.

1. They catch the eye
2. They allow you take the embedded hyperlink (or other info) without much typing, or remembering.

Otherwise, they do not present themselves well. I mean that aren't self-explanatory and most people have no idea what they are expected to do when they see one.

When you see a QR code unaccompanied by the words "Scan this" (or language like that,) and without alternate instructions (like "or go to google.com') you can rest assured the program was designed by and approved by an idiot.

Present company excluded, of course. I'm talking about the ones in the wild.

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

So our stats from our customers using our tracking service indicate that last year scanning went through the roof compared to the beginning of the year. This year has been even better.

And this is only for Australian customers.

True the majority do not know what they are but the majority of people do not know the difference between a mobile site and normal website so are you going to stop selling and using them.

QR Codes are for linking offline media to online media.

Of course you could easily add the mobi address to your offline media but then you have to type it in and the QR Code just makes this task simpler plus provides options if you want to take the person to an internal page which would make the url longer.

Lots of our customers have m.domain.com.au so this becomes restrictive for printing on labels because it can end up quite long and yes there are ways around this.

If we do set up a mobi address we quite often add the mobi address under the QR Code so people have options and after all is this not what we are all about as marketers.

Summary

1. A lot more people know what a QR Code is today than last year and this is evident by the number of calls we get and seeing them appear in all sorts of printed media in the market place.

2. Our software shows that scanning rates are increasing hugely compared to last year and this is just in Australia.

3. Many of the mobile phone suppliers are adding QR Code scanning apps as default to their products

So in the end if you think they are useless then don't use them but also don't bag them either as that is just bad form.

Quentin

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

I'm personally looking forward to Apple including the QR scanning software in their built-in camera app or QR scanning tool inside Instagram/FB/Twitter.

As I said, I've not had the opportunity to go with a digital marketing campaign that includes QR codes, but I'm confident I'll get the chance in the next couple of months.

Quentin, do you know of any privacy issues collecting GEO data at the point of scan?

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

Geo data comes in two formats.

If they dont have it switched on with their phone then it will pick up the closest service provider tower.

If they do have it switched on then they have agreed to the privacy and terms of service.

Geo location will not provide their name or phone number just their exact position. Some programs will show name etc but these are mainly social networking sites where they have agreed to provide this info but QR Codes do not do this.

Q

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

The Facebook Acquisition: It’s Not About Instagram — It’s About Mobile

A week after the acquisition I think we all need to be stepping back and reflecting on the meaning of the deal as it relates to our future. Actually, if we do that, many of the other questions do become easier to answer, and possibly more interesting.

It’s Not About Instagram

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

Hi Quentin, where do I find your QR software again? I visited a link in you signature a while ago but you changed it ;)

I'm comparing some QR code creators for future projects.

Thanks!

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

Here is an interesting article on the new trend of shopping walls.

Virtual Shops: From Experiment to Fruition

Also some new software to create cool QR Codes like this is coming soon

http://msiphotoshop.com/wp-content/u...iphotoshop.jpg

Quentin

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

Thanks for the link.

The QR is not scanning..

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

Hmm works ok on my iphone and android with i-nigma. I think some of the old scanners can not handle this type of stuff. I would not use this commercially any way just fun to see what I can do.

Q

Re: Going for the Big Dollars with Mobile
 

We have a few clients we are making wall malls for. One in AU! Our approach isn't large corporations though, they are small businesses. They are wanting their malls in magazines, mailers, on windows and walls, and newspaper adds, as well as their existing buss stop adds. Some businesses only have 1-3 products they want to sell, on different wall malls in different locations depending on the target market. We have partnered with printers, but a lot of advertising outlets handle the printing, so QRlicious handles the graphics for the custom designed QR codes, layouts of the wall mall, and mobile sites for the stores.

As for the site, the shopping cart idea is good, but we have set it for users to manage and edit mobile landing pages per product using OMFG plugin. This way they can edit product information easily, its a lot less work on our end. For prices, we can do it for $50 per product, with a monthly fee. This has worked well for some of our reseller as well. The wall malls are getting a lot of buzz, and there is money to be made with small businesses.