Internet trends constantly come and go, one however that has stubbornly stayed around against many recited incorrect predictions of its impending demise is that of the QR (Quick Response) code.

You may beg the question ‘What are these QR codes and why are they important?’

if this is the first time you have heard or seen it, you maybe pondering your mind right now in wonder. It can be said whilst the majority of savvy internet users may already know, for those that do not, this is what a common QR code looks like:

At first glance, it looks a bit odd, this code is something that local business owners and entrepreneurs need to be mindful of since it is becoming a significant business tool. The QR code is essentially a natural extention of the traditional barcode, which has been around since the 1970s from your supermarket groceries to large LCD TVs.

QR codes was designed and introduced by Japanese car parts manufacturers - Denso ( A subsidiary of Toyota) to track the movement of car parts. Now the same is being used by big companies and local businesses.

The advantages of the QR Code for Your Business

The QR code has many advantages over a traditional barcode, however. The main advantage is that you can hold up to a hundred times more information on a QR code than on a tradiional horizontal barcode. In addition, QR codes can be scanned from any direction for 360 degrees.

This makes them easier for your device/scanner to read and reduce the possibility of background interference.

The third main positive is that from a point of view of marketing, the code’s appearance is unique and interesting, increasing the likelihood of engaging the customer in any campaign where it might be used.

A QR code reader app can be downloaded onto a smartphone/ by anyone, and they are mostly free of charge. This means that any customer can walk into your business with his or her smartphone, and scan a QR code which you have generated. An Android user can use a app like QR Code Reader, and an iPhone user can download the Quickscan app. Both are free of charge.

There are many websites allowing you to generate QR codes and again, most are free of charge. You can then download them to your computer for printing. A Google search for “QR code generator” brings up countless results, each offering different options. So it is simply a case of selecting the options that works best for you.

QR Codes in Business

Now, let’s see some business-related scenarios where you would use QR codes.

· Use a QR Code to direct a customer to the URL for your website, Facebook, Twitter or other social media page.

· Use it to share a text message (anything from “Happy Holidays!” to “Have you seen what we have upstairs?)

· Use it as a discount code to be taken to the checkout counter for 10 percent off, for example.

· Use it on your business card with your contact details embedded inside the code.

· Use it to link to a Google Maps location for your new store location perhaps.

· Use it to link to a YouTube video or channel perhaps demonstrating new products or funny company videos.

· Use it to link to an app store download (perhaps of your company’s latest eCommerce app?)

· Use it to embed pricing for your products as an alternative for more conventional price tags.

· Put it on your website’s “contact us” page allowing people scan it and get your contact information direct on their phones.

· Put the code on the tables and walls of your restaurant as an easy way for customers to send off a Foursquare or Facebook status update.

· Put a code on your restaurant’s takeout menu allowing customers to

scan it with their phones and instantly call to place an order.

· Put a QR code at the end of promotional videos taking viewers to a landing page on your website.

· Put it on the front of your door and promote a virtual tour of inside the business so

prospects can see and share if you are not in.

At street7, we hope, you can see by now the great advantages of using QR codes in your business. The codes can help you store a serious amount of information and provide a creative new way of engaging customers. Encourage them to get their phones out and start scanning. By offering an incentive of a discount available only to customers through the code.