Though a lot of people know about using QR (short for “quick response”) codes
for marketing, that’s not their only use.
QR codes can also be used to send installation instructions to subs or employees or to provide project information. You could set up a “knowledge library” and provide project managers and subcontractors with access via QR codes.
But for QR codes to yield the intended results, they must be used correctly. Here are a few tips to help you put them to better use.
Keep size in mind: Within reason, most devices can scan a well-formed QR code whether it’s an inch or several feet tall, but the same size code that works well in a print ad would be useless on a jobsite sign or a vehicle. For outdoor applications, assume that your user will be sitting in a car and size the QR code accordingly.
Remember your audience: Nearly 100% of your QR code users are going to use a mobile device, so make sure you deliver content that’s formatted for those devices. Similarly, if you want to send your user a video or some other animation, keep in mind that Apple iOS devices, which account for about 85% of mobile Web traffic, don’t support Adobe Flash and won’t play a video made using that technology.
Produce clean codes: The website QRStuff.com has great information as well as tips for marketing using QR codes.
Send users to the app: You can’t assume that everyone has a good QR code scanner installed on their smartphone or tablet, or for that matter that everyone even knows what QR codes are used for. But they might be happy to give codes a try if you provide some text that explains how to use a QR code, what the consumer will receive when they do use it, and a place to download a QR code scanner if they don’t already have one installed.
Joe Stoddard is an industry consultant helping remodelers be successful with their technology. [email protected]
