The problem with QR Codes #QRCode
It’s not easy to find an example of the typical ‘how to use … ‘ type post that covers the positive and negatives of the subject. It’s even harder to find one that’s funny. But I have and here it is, all nicely packaged in a 3 minute YouTube video: funny, informative, technical, etc … enjoy!
It is important, as I have said before in my QR Code posts (see related posts below as well as clicking the link to my QR Code Resource page) that your QR Code is;
- tested fully, with different apps on different platforms/phones,
- pointing to a mobile-friendly or mobile-ready web site (not just the page, but the whole website),
- positioned in a sensible place (the video talks about tube/underground stations and in-flight magazines – why, as the scanner will not have a reception! Or what about billboards at the side of the road, when you’re driving and shouldn’t be using your phone, or even have time to get it out and scan as you speed past),
- checked and working and, if you change the URL it is pointing to, tested t make sure it points to the right place.
- using a shortened URL to make the code as clear as possible, and
- not printed as an after-thought on your poster in the bottom corner because your print designer doesn’t like them and has put it out of the way so it doesn’t block his careful design
Keep an eye on my blog here or on the Twitter hashtag #QRCodesBU to find out about an event I’m helping organise with Dr. Milena Bobeva (@milenabobeva) at Bournemouth University. Scheduled for early 2012 … ahh, you’ll read about it shortly (when we’ve got everything in place)!
PS. no kittens were harmed in the typing of this blog post (if you don’t understand what I’m talking about, watch the video!)
I like QR codes but already see them being badly used. For instance, I was recently in a large airport and saw 2 posters that included QR Codes. One had a broken link, the other took me to spam prompting me to download a $$ QR code reader. Sigh.
Hi Jane.
It is a sad truth that some of individuals responsible for the implementation don’t understand enough about these codes to do it justice, get it wrong, then blame the tech/customer/client/etc and give the tech a bad name as a result. The codes are not at fault, it is how we use them that is wrong and needs adjustment.
All the best, David
PS. I hope the links/tweets I sent over at the weekend helped?
Haha love it! It’s so true:) I’ve personaly scanned a QR code mayby once.
Thanks Bartlomiej – why is that (only the one scan)? Is that because you didn’t know what it was, didn’t know what you’d get from it, or something else (no reason to?)
Personally I feel silly when I’m out and about or in a shop using my phone on a piece of paper or poster (yes, you get some strange looks) but if there is a reason to do so, that is shown to me (discount, special offer, priority tickets, detailed mobile-friendly information, etc) then I’ll do it and not mind the silly looks I get.
As with all these things, if it’s done properly and introduced to the consumer/user then it’ll work. if it’s just thrown out there with no thought or reason then it’ll be ignored as, like you, no one will see it’s purpose?
All the best, David