Even if you don’t yet have a website…you can still benefit from a QR code! We’ll explain below.

What is a “mobile barcode” and how does it work?

A mobile barcode or QR code (short for Quick Response code) is a specific two-dimensional code readable by dedicated QR code readers and smartphones. The codes consist of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background.

The information encoded can be a URL (or webpage); text (like a coupon code); or other data (like a phone number that can be clicked and called instantly). Imagine the possibilities for your business or organization.

Here are some simple instructions:

1. You must first have a web-enabled, smartphone. It must be able to access the internet and have a camera function.

2. Go to your phone’s app store and search for “QR” or “QR readers.” Depending on your phone, there are a number of good ones. Look for the star ratings and read the reviews to decide which one is best for your phone. Some of them include ScanLife, i-nigma Reader, and Barcode Scanner.

3. Once the application is downloaded, the scanner can be launched. You simply hold your phone over the code and it scans.

Join the exciting age of mobile interactivity!

You’re probably seeing more and more QR codes appearing everywhere… on mail pieces, business cards, catalogs, signs and banners … even t-shirts. They’re creating a huge buzz! What’s the big deal?

Smartphone users can scan these two-dimensional barcodes and instantly connect to online content or contact information. A majority of mail pieces today tell recipients to visit a website by manually typing a web address. While this is often effective, there’s room for error. Mail pieces that include a QR code require much less effort. Recipients can simply grab their smartphone; scan the code; and get to the information or website immediately.

You can track QR codes! You can measure the success of your mailing by tracking how many scans you receive. Not all QR codes are trackable though. If you create a free code on our website or elsewhere, you can’t track it. (Plus if you change your URL, you break the link and your code will no longer work.) If we create a trackable code for you however, we can track it and provide you with the number of clicks, or scans, your QR code receives. There’s a fee for this reporting service. But the valuable information you gain is priceless.

Even if you don’t have a website, you can use a QR code to give direct mail recipients easy access to your contact information (like a mobile business card), offer a special coupon code for VIP customers… or send people to a free Facebook page with more information about your business. There are so many exciting possibilities for you to interact with your direct mail audience.

A QR code takes the interaction with your target audience a step farther. People are curious, and they’re easy to use! If they have a smartphone, and your mail piece is interesting to them, they’ll scan the code to see where it takes them. Wouldn’t you?

(Keep reading. There are important QR code tips at the bottom!)

But wait! Don’t just send people to your existing website…

So you have a website and that’s where you want to send people who scan your QR code. Stop and evaluate your website for a moment. How is it going to look and function on a little phone screen? Or on an iPad? Most traditional websites will quickly frustrate mobile users. They’re not easy to navigate; you have to scroll around to see everything; and some videos or add-ons may not even work at all.

What is a “mobile” website? …like the one we’re giving away!

A true mobile website is a site that is optimized for mobile devices, like an iPhone or a Droid. Mobile websites are still not very common but are gaining popularity. Mobile landing pages and full websites are important marketing tools to consider. The number of internet users who access websites via a mobile device is growing every year. You can be one of the first businesses to have a true mobile site!

Below you can see the difference between our standard homepage and our mobile homepage. If you visit HHGraphicsGroup.com on your mobile device, you’re directed to the site on the left. If you’re on a regular computer or an iPad, you’ll get the full website shown on the right.

What makes our mobile site better for mobile users?

• It fits on your phone screen. You don’t have to scroll left or right.
• It features easy drop down menus.
• It has clickable contact information. Simply click on our phone number to call us.
• If you want to check out our standard website, simply click “View Full Site”.

A well-designed mobile site has a simple, clean navigation menu and only displays the most important information. Typically design elements are omitted, and the focus is on text content. This makes it much easier to navigate on a mobile device and improves usability for the viewer.

The website automatically detects the device being used by the viewer and will display the correct version. A normal computer or iPad will show the standard version. A mobile device will show your mobile version.

How can you get a mobile website?

It’s simple… Contact us! H & H Graphics Group specializes in taking your existing website, and creating a mobile site. Ask us about the different packages we have available. There are various maintenance plans for you to choose to ensure that your mobile site is updated when you make changes to your standard website.

H & H Graphics Group can bring your creative ideas to life and answer any questions you have. We love this new technology and want to share our knowledge with you. Let’s schedule a meeting, and we’ll demonstrate how to put QR codes to work for you.

Tips to maximize your QR code responses:

1. Give people a reason to scan. Know your audience and give them a compelling reason to take action. Don’t just add a QR code without considering their entire mobile experience.

2. Test … and test again! QR codes don’t work when printed on certain backgrounds or colors. Sometimes you need to include a white border, like on our postcard to the right.QR codes won’t scan if they’re too small either. Remember, some older model phones won’t scan as well. That’s why we recommend printing codes that measure at least ¾ inch.You may have already seen some creative-looking QR codes. It’s true that you can get artistic and cover some of the code and it will still work. Just have fun and experiment. Maybe our next postcard will feature a creative code with artwork. Keep watching your mailbox!

3. Provide directions. Not everyone is familiar with mobile barcodes, so give people simple instructions. Include something like “Scan this with your mobile barcode reader on your smartphone to see our monthly specials.” You can go a step farther and tell people how to download a QR reader app on their phone too.

4. Include a URL. Include the URL of the website you’re sending people to. That way smartphone users know where they’ll be directed; and people without smartphones can type in the address.

Start your mobile marketing campaign today!

Call 717-393-3941, email us, or fill out our contact form.

Don’t forget to enter our drawing at the top for your chance to win a FREE mobile site!

Watch a video about QR codes here.