I posted an article on QR code fails and how not to use them. The title is “QR Code Fails: How Marketers Are Misusing QR Codes and Ruining UX“

A QR (quick response) code is a bridge between the on and offline worlds. With the use of a scan app, it can link the user to your content, providing a richer consumer experience. The intended use of these codes is in the offline medium. However, that does not mean QR Codes cannot be used successfully online. But it does mean marketers have to consider if a QR code is the best tool for the job.

II go through some bad examples, but first I sum it up like this – Think UX before making your customer pull out his phone and scan a code. Don’t do it because it’s “cool”. Don’t ask your customers to scan a code if they are already online or if they probably won’t be able to anyway. And never, but NEVER, give them a code without letting them know what to expect.

If you are using QR codes, this post might help you. So, if you are interested, you have the link. Hope it is useful.

Have a great day!

@roryramsden I have seen so many cases where people use them wrong. It is true we can say they are (kind of) new and many people don’t know how to use them. It is a shame, as QR codes can add a lot to the marketing efforts.

I’m guilty. I was talked into putting qr codes on my enclosure envelopes.  So every floral arrangement going out the door has a qr code that directs them to my website.  But really how stupid! If the beautiful flower arrangement isn’t enough to make them use my services why would the code? poor UX but I don’t want to be just another coupon or discount offer either.

@jeniferswanson @fredericgonzalo @gabriel @roryramsden,  Gabriel, This is a great discussion.  Glad to learn of these things to think about their use.

@jeniferswanson I think many of us scanned a code out of curiosity. But those days are over (or will soon be). QR codes (even if, as @fredericgonzalo said, have been around since 1994) were still a novelty for the general public. But as smartphone adoption increased (and will continue to do so), people are getting used to them and curiosity is not having the same pull anymore. So it is better to not rely on curiosity, but make a valuable proposition to your customers.
As for knowing who your clients are, if you don’t know them, ask them. Maybe it sounds silly, maybe it sound simple, but you will be surprised how well it works and how glad they will be to see you care.

@gabriel your advice is spot on–I don’t want to use a QR code just to get to a website. I want you to give me something “extra” –more and better info, a coupon, a recipe…Do NOT bore me.

A QR code can be useful if it goes to a landing page. That landing page should be able to be changed by the owner of the mobile site. In which the QR code will not change but the landing page can be updated. Each landing page has a different function and purpose. One Landing page can have videos, one can have contact information with click to call , click to map, one can have reservations- good for professionals. I also have seen marketers who put the QR codes on everything and they can’t even track the campaigns they do to see how many times it has been scanned, where it has been scanned and giving more statistics. Also when marketers that throw a QR code out there and it goes to a regular website that is not optimized for cell phones is very irritating to say the least.

I would, I think that Facebook once it recognizes that it is a cell phone will go to your page directly if you give them the unique URL. Try, Test.. you can send it to me to see if this works.