QR Code Research

QR is an acronym for Quick Response.

A QR code is a 2-dimensional barcode that contains encoded information (i.e. text, a URL, etc.) that can be decoded by scanning it with a smart phone that has a QR reader. The information in the code is then converted to an action on the cell phone—opening a website, for instance.

QR codes can be used for virtually anything to give a user more information. Essentially, a QR code is closing the gap between a physical piece of media or object and additional information regarding it online. Thus the usage for QR codes is far reaching, both for small and large businesses as well as individuals.  Additionally, the performance of a QR code can be tracked by your web analytics vendor (if you have one) or a QR code generator’s system. Having the ability to track a QR code’s performance makes them even more valuable as it provides a measureable variable of the success of a campaign.

 
Anyone can generate a QR code. The QR code on the right is one that I generated that links back to this blog. Click here to create your own QR code!

 

Sources:

http://beqrious.com/show/how-it-works

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QR_Code#Decoding_example
http://dowling.typepad.com/dowling/2011/01/tracking-qr-code-performance.html