03 Mar QR Codes Are 20 – Are They Still Relevant?

In today’s ever-changing marketing landscape, it’s vital to keep evaluating your advertising strategies on a regular basis.

Believe it or not, QR codes were first created about twenty years ago; however, it is only recently that they started being used for business. These codes have become hard to ignore since they are found almost everywhere you look (even on places that don’t make sense, like billboards and websites!).

Despite the fact that more than half of the world’s population uses smartphones and other smart devices, it’s hard to believe that only about 15% of smart device owners use their devices to scan QR codes. What does this mean?

QR codes ARE on the decline – but not for the reasons you may think.

QR codes have great potential, but have not found their place in the marketing world as of yet. Why?

They are being used incorrectly

Like social media, some businesses try to flood the market with QR codes without having a strategy behind their efforts. In order for QR codes to work effectively and for them to be adopted as a mainstream marketing strategy, they need to be used in the right ways. Businesses need to focus on what they want the QR code to link their audience to. It should point to helpful and mobile friendly content.

Users don’t understand the benefits

While QR codes look like simple concepts, most smartphone owners do not know how to use them. It is important for business owners who use QR codes to take the time to create a compelling “why” – what’s in it for the user when they scan your code?

QR codes ARE still relevant, but they are simply not being used as they should.

What do you think? Could QR codes be the next big thing if they are “done right?” Share by commenting below!