Comments on: QR Codes – a Passing Fad?

By: Matt Chatterley

Matt Chatterley — Sat, 03 Aug 2013 07:01:00 +0000

I think QR codes can be quite powerful – when used in an appropriate fashion. There has been a bit of a tendency (as there is with so many things) for clever-clogs to go “Quick! Stick a QR code on it! That’s the answer to ‘marketing’!” – which has led to a load of rubbish uses and implementations and generally tarred opinions of them.

All the other comments here so far make valid observations (particularly that if you redirect to a site, it must be mobile friendly). As an example, we have a client who prints a magazine – they use QR codes to tie particular articles in to their website where further content is available – the magazine is distributed in airports, etc, so readers are typically on the move when they pick it up.

So I certainly don’t think they will vanish – if anything we’ll see better thought out, more meaningful uses popping up over the coming months.

By: Ian

Ian — Tue, 29 May 2012 15:42:30 +0000

What about a QR code on a paper bill that takes you to the pre-filled online form to pay it?

Likewise for renewing your voting registation, car tax etc.

By: Ed

Ed — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 17:51:00 +0000

I saw an Estate Agent window with QR codes for each property – perfect, you can scan through the window and get the property details auto-emailed to you and even book a viewing on the phone while you are standing there.

We’re rolling out the codes for POS in Canada and USA where they are a bit more widespread so customers can get further product information about a product while in the shop, so they don’t have to find a shop assistant.

By: Arber Pacarada

Arber Pacarada — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 13:00:00 +0000

In reply to Duane Jackson. Just now I wanted the code for MailChimp subscribe form for our new website. And guess what? It creates a QR Code with the link that will take you to the form. But I can't see where would you use that code?

By: Duane Jackson

Duane Jackson — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 09:15:00 +0000

In reply to Arber Pacarada. vCards QR's on business cards are a really good use of them I think, and I don't see a better alternative to quickly getting contact data digitized from a printed card

By: Arber Pacarada

Arber Pacarada — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 08:47:00 +0000

I just discovered them recently and I think they are fun, just like you used them here. Probably they are not going to stay for long but I would like people to use them on business cards. This way you do not have to manually enter data in your phone. There are plenty websites where you can make your vCard for free. http://www.qrstuff.com/

By: Will Hawkins

Will Hawkins — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 13:01:00 +0000

Much as I like QR codes, half the problem with their low adoption is that some marketers use them incorrectly. i.e. they provide a QR code on an ad in a magazine which links to their website. The trouble is that their website has not been designed to be seen on a mobile phone screen, which makes it look terrible and puts off the customer from going further.

QR codes are good as long as they are used correctly. So, if you want to link get a customer to view your website, make sure the website is optimised for being viewed on a mobile.

By: Paul Henriques

Paul Henriques — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 12:16:00 +0000

Not surprised that the general consensus is that they are to fade away, but surprised to see NFC given as the reason. I thought NFC was mainly for payments or to transfer small amounts of data. I believe the real QR code killer to be augmented reality type apps