How to Use QR Codes

You've seen them popping up everywhere, and now it's time to consider popping them into your marketing plan.

QR Codes (those odd, square-shaped designs that look like a bunch of lines and dots disguising a hidden image) are really a 2-D barcode designed to be scanned by smartphone-based barcode readers.

What's the benefit of these flashy little squares? They are an easy and simple way to send an existing customer or potential client to any webpage you choose.

All your customer has to do is scan the QR code with their smartphone's barcode reader (downloadable from the Android Marketplace or iPhone Appstore) and their phone's browser will instantly be directed to the webpage you've designated.

1. To get started, you'll need to determine where you want to direct your visitors. Is there a particularly compelling page on your website that is likely to generate sales? How about sending customers directly to your email signup page so that it's easy for them to get on your mailing list? Or perhaps you can preemptively answer a customer's potential questions by sending them directly to your FAQ page.

2. Next, find yourself a QR Code image generator like the one Kaywa http://qrcode.kaywa.com/ provides. If you need it for commercial purposes, a quick Google search should help you find what you're looking for.

3. Finally, save your image and embed it any number of places where your customers are likely to see it: your business cards, outdoor signage, storefront displays, direct mail postcards, t-shirts, the options are endless! Don't be afraid to be creative with its uses.

Already found a great way to use QR Codes for your business, club, website, or organization? Share your genius idea on our Facebook wall!

Use your smartphone's barcode reader to scan the QR Code of this article to see how it works.