The QR Code linked to the Harry Potter App. that you can download to your phone.

Last night while at Target I noticed that each of the trees had a QR Code on them. Each of the QR Codes directed to a mobile website where you could learn more about all of the different trees including the type of tree, size, and lights and making sure that you choose a tree that is just right for you!

Below are some pictures of the QR Codes on the trees.

In this case, the QR Code makes it easy for people to download a mobile payment App on their smartphones. From there, customers can pay for their items (gas, milk, coffee, etc.) by simply opening the App and presenting their smartphone at the register.

Here is a picture of the mailer and a picture of an envelope that I happened to receive this week from Kohl’s that also had a QR Code.

Certainly, it’s easy to create a QR Code. But is it easy for people to scan your QR Code?

Some of the best practices to ensure that people can scan your QR Codes easily involve sign and color. You’ll want to keep the QR Code large enough on the printed piece (we typically go no smaller than 3/4 of an inch). Also, ensure that the contrast of the colors inside the QR Code is strong. (From our own testing, we try to stick with dark colors. A yellow QR Code might not be scanned as easily as a navy blue one would.) Also, the QR Code should have some “clean” space around all 4 sides.

Here is what we suggest: If possible, keep a quarter inch (.25″) of white space around all four sides of the QR Code. This is enough white space to ensure that it will be scanned easily on almost every smartphone.

Of course, that is not absolutely essential. We’ve certainly printed QR Codes that had a bit less white space around it, and many people were able to scan successfully. However, we’ve also seen this — a QR Code with no white space may be able to be scanned with an iPhone 4, but the same cannot be said with an iPhone 3.

Below is an example of a QR Code with the quarter inch of space around it.

Here is another example of a QR Code with a larger amount of white space around the QR Code. I also added some simple directions next to the QR Code.

When people call us with this problem: “I can’t scan my QR Code”, more times than not it’s because their QR Code is fighting with the background color on their printed piece.

Here is an example of what we do not recommend doing — you may not succeed by placing a QR Code on a dark colored background with no white space. Although this might scan on a few smartphones, it is most likely not going to scan for all phones. The QR Code is fighting with the dark background color.

We hope you find these tips helpful!

Here are the advertisements featuring the QR Codes.

The ad featured a QR Code on it and when the QR Code is scanned it links to mobilized version of their website where you can purchase the watches, contact them or find the nearest retailer.

Below is the advertisement.

(Note: the little read square in the QR Code, just a small way to dress up a QR Code!)

Melanie Wiscount is a Business, Computer, & Information Technology Teacher at Palmyra Area School District.

From everything that we’ve read recently, she deserves some major recognition and commendation.

Here is the article that caught our attention. If you have a minute, we’d absolutely like to encourage you to read it.

A Few Highlights

• Students were assigned to create a brief history of local places
• They created movies based on the information that they found
• They generated QR Codes so that their documentaries could be accessed by mobile phones

Why We Love This

In the marketing world, we certainly pay attention to how to new technologies and channels may help us communicate and engage customers and prospects.

Well, the same benefits that those technologies and channels provide to businesses also apply to the world of education.

Kids are growing up with tablets, smartphones, and social media sites as their primary ways to communicate. (In fact, I had one customer tell me a story recently about how his 3-year old is proficiently using an iPad regularly!) If they are able to use those types of items while in the process of learning, things certainly may become a bit more interesting and exciting for them.

If we can find a way to put these new devices, channels, & technologies to use when educating students, everyone involved will benefit. Teachers, students, parents, and eventually their future employers!

Thank You to Melanie

Melanie, we salute you for everything you’ve done so far. Congratulations on getting some well-deserved press and recognition on this effort. You have some lucky students

If there’s ever anything we can do to help you out, please let us know.

Cedar Graphics, a marketing services provider from Iowa, recently sent out their holiday-themed direct mailer. The mailer was targeted to each recipient. The back of the mailer featured a personalized URL and a QR Code. When the QR Code is scanned, you are directed a personalized landing page on your smart phone.  

Below are a few pictures of the direct mailer:

We certainly have seen a very encouraging increase in the number of QR Codes on printed materials from major retailers. We’ve seen them on signs stores, in catalogs, in flyers, and more.

If you are thinking of using QR Codes to increase your sales over the month of December (and beyond!), here is one example of a flyer that provides helpful information as to how consumers can use them to access information and shop!