The A-Z of QR Codes
The QR code is one of the largest pandemic trends that seem to have permanently stuck around. We see it everywhere: on restaurant menus, cash registers, windows, and billboards! But did you know that it’s been around since 1994? Before diving deep into the humble beginnings of this nifty mark of technology, let’s first define it.
What is a QR Code?
The QR code is a two-dimensional barcode variety that can be scanned by smartphones. Unlike standard barcodes designed to store a maximum of 20 digits of data, a single QR code can hold more than 7,000 alphanumeric characters.
Hara Masahiro, QR Code inventor
It was invented by an engineer from Denso, an automotive components manufacturer headquartered in Aichi, Japan. Hara Masahiro said the idea came while playing a strategy game during his lunch break. Before QR codes, Hara and his team used standard barcodes to track their inventory. QR is short for “quick response”, which is an apt description since QR codes let users instantly access the information stored within them.
QR codes are either static or dynamic. A static QR code is fixed – once generated, you can no longer change the information stored in it. On the other hand, the contents of a dynamic QR code can be replaced or edited whenever necessary.
Parts of a QR Code
At first glance, a QR code may seem like a jumble of unique pixel-like patterns in a square grid, but it comprises different components.
Finder Pattern – These little squares on three of the four corners help the scanner identify the presence of a QR code and its corresponding orientation.
Alignment markers – If the QR code is blown up to fit a large area or is printed on a curved surface, this component helps the scanner identify the code’s correct alignment.
Timing pattern – These two perpendicular lines with alternating black and white dots indicate the size of the data matrix.
Format information – These patterns contain the QR code’s error tolerance levels in case it gets dirty or damaged.
Version information – These markers indicate the specific version of the QR code. Currently, there are 40 versions.
Data and error correction module – These patterns hold backup data. Compared to barcodes prone to tampering and smudging, QR codes are weather-resistant by design and remain readable even after sustaining 30% structural damage.
Quiet zone – This is what separates the QR code from its surroundings. Without this, the scanner won’t be able to read the code.
Advantages of Using a QR Code
Aside from its larger capacity and enhanced durability, the QR code is better than a standard barcode for three major reasons:
1. QR codes are instantly accessible
Any smartphone or tablet with a working camera can scan a QR code. Instead of manually typing a URL or reciting your contact information, you can simply store these details in a QR code and present them whenever needed. This makes QR codes a PWD-friendly solution as well.
You don’t have to print it out, either. As long as the QR code is not blurry nor pixelated, it can be easily read by a scanning app regardless of its size and surface. And like other barcode types, QR codes can also be read from any direction.
2. QR codes are trackable
Since information gets collected once the code is scanned, businesses that use QR codes can easily track who gains access to their data. This can include unique scans, location, timestamps, and even the device’s operating system. If you’re an entrepreneur or a marketer, you can use this information to understand your audience better, which can result in more effective marketing campaigns.
3. QR codes are not expensive
According to a 2021 study, 75.8 million smartphone users in the US alone scanned a QR code. A more recent survey revealed that 7 out of 10 restaurants in the country now prefer QR codes and mobile wallets as forms of payment.
It has come a long way; in 2012, 97% of consumers didn’t even know what a QR code was.
The resurgence isn’t just because QR codes are easy to use – they also cost nothing. There are many QR code generators online that you can use for free!
Popular Online QR Code Generators
Beaconstac is another QR code generator with many customization features. However, unlike the rest of the items in this list, this platform provides QR code solutions to the restaurant, consumer goods, real estate, and retail industries.
QR Code Monkey is a free platform for generating highly customized QR codes. You can change the colors, add your logo, and customize the shapes of your QR code’s components. It also has several templates that you can edit. You can also tweak the QR code’s image resolution, and the finished code is downloaded in PNG, SVG, PDF, and EPS format.
This QR code generator offers both free and paid services. The free suite comes with unlimited static codes and 50 scans per code every month. The paid accounts have access to unlimited static and dynamic codes, as well as more complex file types and tracking spreadsheets.
This platform has a free trial version that you can try out before you commit to any of their paid plans. They also offer an Enterprise account which can accommodate one admin user and several sub-users.
Go QR is a simple and straightforward online QR code generator anyone can use for free. The QR codes can be downloaded in EPS or SVG format.
Similar to Go QR, this platform has a no-fuss interface that lets you store a wide variety of information in a QR code. Select the data type – URL, VCard, text, SMS, social media accounts, and so on – and press “Generate”. This is the preferred QR code generator of several renowned brands, such as cosmetics giant Benefit and fashion magazine network Elle. The first 14 days is free, and paid plans start at $4.93 a month.
What sets Flowcode apart from other QR code generators is its packages. Whether you’re signing up for a free account or any of the paid plans, you don’t just get QR codes and unlimited scanning, you gain access to their mobile-first landing page builder as well.
Unitag solely offers dynamic QR codes, and their packages include weekly reports and analytical data access. Their free plan also comes with customer support.
Successful QR Code Campaigns
With 59% of consumers believing that QR codes are here to stay, it comes as no surprise that businesses, marketers, and even the media have gone outside the box to maximize its convenience. Aside from making contact tracing more efficient during the COVID-19 pandemic, here are five more examples of noteworthy QR code applications all over the world:
In 2020, the French beauty and cosmetics group launched its virtual try-on tool in Ireland to promote the True Match Foundation. The QR codes were displayed in supermarkets and pharmacies nationwide. All customers need to scan the code and get redirected to the website where they can try on the foundation’s different shades.
Also launched in 2020, this initiative connects coffee drinkers to the farmers who grew and harvested their beans. Several brands and organizations in the coffee supply chain were involved in this project. QR codes about the origin and process were embedded in participating coffee products, which consumers can scan with the Thank My Farmer app.
TopFruit promotes Oman’s tourist destinations
Credits to https://histyle.ie/
TopFruit, one of Oman’s leading beverage brands, incorporated the country’s landmarks in the packaging design, along with a QR code that consumers can scan for a chance to win prizes. Within the campaign's first two weeks, TopFruit recorded more than 26,000 engagements on Instagram and YouTube and more than 148,000 views.
Ever wondered what it’s like chatting with the renowned hip-hop artist Snoop Dogg? You can do so by purchasing his wine! Every bottle of Cali Red comes with a QR code that releases a holographic image of the rapper once scanned. Ask him any question, and he’ll answer!
In 2021, the Japan-based game developer went the extra mile to celebrate the anniversary of one of its releases, Princess Connect: Re Drive. Cygames released 1,500 drones in the sky to form a giant scannable QR code. Players and curious onlookers who scanned the code with their smartphones received a personalized link containing information about the game and instructions on installing it.
QR Codes: Are They Here to Stay?
Because of its cost-effectiveness, the QR code will unlikely disappear anytime soon. Now's the best time if you still haven’t incorporated this nifty tool in your custom business cards, flyers, and other marketing materials.
Want to learn more about the QR code and its relevance? Check out these articles:
QR code usage statistics 2022: 443% scan increase and 438% generation boost
QR code statistics 2022: Latest numbers and use-cases on global usage
Are QR Codes Safe? Best Practices to Ensure QR Code Security
QR Code Security: What are QR codes, and are they safe to use?
QR Codes: Uses and Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities
