What is a QR code?

HOORAY!  You've either managed to scan the QR code from our facebook page or you just clicked on the link.  Or maybe you just got here directly from our main website.  Either way, were glad that you're here!  By now, you've probably seen these black and white UPC looking things all over the place: in magazines, newspapers, realtor signs, business cards, etc. and probably have wondered what they were.  Here's a definition from Wikipedia:

"A QR code (abbreviated from Quick Response code) is a specific matrix barcode (or two-dimensional code) that is machine readable and designed to be read by smartphones. The code consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background. The information encoded may be text, a URL, or other data.  Common in Japan, where it was created by Toyota subsidiary Denso Wave in 1994, the QR code is one of the most popular types of two-dimensional barcodes. The QR code was designed to allow its contents to be decoded at high speed.  The technology has seen frequent use in Japan and South Korea; the United Kingdom is the seventh-largest national consumer of QR codes."

So that's cool and all but how does that help us as a small businesses?  Interaction, that's how.  QR codes can help your customers interact with your company and your brand with their smartphones.  QR codes aren't only great for leading customers to your website but can also create a lot a buzz around your marketing campaign as it can link to many different calls to action including browsing to a website, bookmarking a website, making a call and sending a text.  A company could post their QR code on facebook saying "Scan the code for special discount" and have it sent via SMS to the customer's phone.  Besides it's cool to scan things just for the heck of it.  We've just added our QR code to all of our marketing material including our business cards, brochures, direct mailers and at random places throughout our shop.  Our QR code sends our current and potential customers to our website to learn more about the products and services that we offer.

If you don't have a scanner on your phone, there are a bunch of free apps at the App Store or Market on Android...just search for QR scanner.

Yes, we are a custom apparel and accessories company; however we are a small business first and foremost like many of you and try to share any useful information we have to help your company thrive as well.  If you've enjoyed this post and want to keep up to date with all our posts on Threads Talk...simply subscribe by entering your email in the box to the right or just check back periodically when you  have a chance.  Now if you've just downloaded a scanner app to your phone, go ahead and scan the QR code above and see where it goes ;).