My feeling is, that QR-Codes in America and the rest of the world (outside of Japan) are taking off.
What are the consequences?: They are massive. This will change smart phone usage completly.
Till now, you could update your Dot Tel domain from your control panel.
Let us assume, you have a QR-Code, that you encoded from Dot Tel domain "A" on Dot Tel domain "B": If you update domain "A", your domain "B" gets updated with the same info that stands for that code (domain "A").
You could have that QR-Code on twenty other Dot Tel domains, and all twenty domains can get updated by updating only the domain that stands for that code (that is encoded in that code).
When the code gets decoded, than the info can be read and viewed.
So, this is how to get the badly needed interactivety with Dot Tel domains, next to "click and call", "click and view website", or "click and email", etc.
.
Thursday 17 March 2011
Monday 14 March 2011
Dot Tel Internet domains: Can a ten year old existing concept be still competitive and successful?
If the restrictions for .Tel Domains would be removed, then they would be the "better Dot Com's" for mobile telephone Internet usage.
Furthermore, if Dot Tel domains can offer something, that Dot Com domains can't offer on a mobile phone, than Dot Tel domains would be in more favorable position.
Extensions can`t change, but restrictions can be removed, anytime.
Hardly anybody would mind to pay the hosting for a Dot Tel domain, if they had the same freedom as with a Dot Com domain. At the end, they would have the better domain extension for mobile Internet on smart phones. As people would know, that a Dot Tel domain, is like any other domain, and that it offers the same navigation possibilities.
Users used to register a Dot Mobi, only because of its extension: Because they intended to use the domain for smart phones with Internet.
The .Tel registry is doing the same thing: Offering a domain for smart phones with Internet, but with restrictions.
However, the .Tel registry is providing a control panel, for populating the domain.
It was supposed to be a no-brainer, but the friending feature was too complecated, as well as few other things.
Why not deliver a mobile friendly template, without any restrictions? And leave the hosting to the registrars?
As soon as the only difference between domains, is the extension, Dot Tel will win over the other domain extensions, for smart phone usage.
The existing dot tel concept seems to be somewhat outdated. It might of worked well, eight or ten years ago, when it was created.
Dot Tel domains are lacking exitement. And users are used to Dot Com websites.
It is difficult to sell something that is less attractive.
The biggest advantage of the Dot Tel domain, is that it is "low cost" for the domain holder / owner. And users don't know, that using it, would be also "low cost" for them. And so, users other from the .Tel owners, don't care about the costs for Dot Tel domains. They just see a weird and boring page, with some contact information on it, and a penedrant and annoying Dot Tel logo. And say, that the design looks more like a domain parking page.
The easiest and more successful thing would be, to lift all restrictions, and tel(l) the world, that Dot Tel domains are for smart phone usage. Full stop.
And everyone would "get" that, and people would start registering .Tel's, and populating them by a webdesigner, or by themselfs.
Who would care, to have to pay hosting and a webdesigner, if they get a powerfull and efficient mobile website at the end, having a fantastic domain extension (.tel)?
The ten year old Dot Tel concept needs some rethinking and remodeling. Time for change. You can't expect a ten year old concept to be successful, ten years later.
If a Internet domain does not offer more than a landing page and a folder tree, and contact information, than it should be much less expensive... Somewhere around $03,00 (tree Dollars).
Provide a person with a Dot Com address, and he knows, what to do with it.
Provide a person with a Dot Tel address, and he does not know what to do with it.
If every new smart phone had a Dot Tel search engine as default, then everybody would know, what to do with Dot Tel domains.
If Dot Tel domains would be easyer to mobilize, and offer as much freedom as Dot Com domains, then that would be clearly an advantage for the Dot Tel domains.
Ok, I think I said enough, and now it is up to you, to "thinktank" and brainstorm.
The really biggest advantage of .Tel domains, is the fact, that one can set up a mobile friendly Internet domain within a few hours (ok, you say, within a few minutes..), and which is ideal for QR-Code usage (Quick Response Code usage). Because, if you want to sell something spontaniously, and fast, you can set up a mobile friendly .Tel domain, and encode it as a QR-Code (you generate a code from a website URL, for example), and print the code and display it, where smart phone owners can scann it (and click to decode it), and then interact with you and your offer.
Speed, is what matters, and you can act fast, with a .Tel domain, a QR-Code generator, and a QR-Code reader. This sort of interaction, one can only achieve with mobile websites. And Dot Tel is already "out of the box" mobile. No need for a webmaster and a webdesigner, there. And the "no need", would be a time saver and advantage, in connection with QR-Code usage. Again: Time saving matters.
Cheers.
Furthermore, if Dot Tel domains can offer something, that Dot Com domains can't offer on a mobile phone, than Dot Tel domains would be in more favorable position.
Extensions can`t change, but restrictions can be removed, anytime.
Hardly anybody would mind to pay the hosting for a Dot Tel domain, if they had the same freedom as with a Dot Com domain. At the end, they would have the better domain extension for mobile Internet on smart phones. As people would know, that a Dot Tel domain, is like any other domain, and that it offers the same navigation possibilities.
Users used to register a Dot Mobi, only because of its extension: Because they intended to use the domain for smart phones with Internet.
The .Tel registry is doing the same thing: Offering a domain for smart phones with Internet, but with restrictions.
However, the .Tel registry is providing a control panel, for populating the domain.
It was supposed to be a no-brainer, but the friending feature was too complecated, as well as few other things.
Why not deliver a mobile friendly template, without any restrictions? And leave the hosting to the registrars?
As soon as the only difference between domains, is the extension, Dot Tel will win over the other domain extensions, for smart phone usage.
The existing dot tel concept seems to be somewhat outdated. It might of worked well, eight or ten years ago, when it was created.
Dot Tel domains are lacking exitement. And users are used to Dot Com websites.
It is difficult to sell something that is less attractive.
The biggest advantage of the Dot Tel domain, is that it is "low cost" for the domain holder / owner. And users don't know, that using it, would be also "low cost" for them. And so, users other from the .Tel owners, don't care about the costs for Dot Tel domains. They just see a weird and boring page, with some contact information on it, and a penedrant and annoying Dot Tel logo. And say, that the design looks more like a domain parking page.
The easiest and more successful thing would be, to lift all restrictions, and tel(l) the world, that Dot Tel domains are for smart phone usage. Full stop.
And everyone would "get" that, and people would start registering .Tel's, and populating them by a webdesigner, or by themselfs.
Who would care, to have to pay hosting and a webdesigner, if they get a powerfull and efficient mobile website at the end, having a fantastic domain extension (.tel)?
The ten year old Dot Tel concept needs some rethinking and remodeling. Time for change. You can't expect a ten year old concept to be successful, ten years later.
If a Internet domain does not offer more than a landing page and a folder tree, and contact information, than it should be much less expensive... Somewhere around $03,00 (tree Dollars).
Provide a person with a Dot Com address, and he knows, what to do with it.
Provide a person with a Dot Tel address, and he does not know what to do with it.
If every new smart phone had a Dot Tel search engine as default, then everybody would know, what to do with Dot Tel domains.
If Dot Tel domains would be easyer to mobilize, and offer as much freedom as Dot Com domains, then that would be clearly an advantage for the Dot Tel domains.
Ok, I think I said enough, and now it is up to you, to "thinktank" and brainstorm.
The really biggest advantage of .Tel domains, is the fact, that one can set up a mobile friendly Internet domain within a few hours (ok, you say, within a few minutes..), and which is ideal for QR-Code usage (Quick Response Code usage). Because, if you want to sell something spontaniously, and fast, you can set up a mobile friendly .Tel domain, and encode it as a QR-Code (you generate a code from a website URL, for example), and print the code and display it, where smart phone owners can scann it (and click to decode it), and then interact with you and your offer.
Speed, is what matters, and you can act fast, with a .Tel domain, a QR-Code generator, and a QR-Code reader. This sort of interaction, one can only achieve with mobile websites. And Dot Tel is already "out of the box" mobile. No need for a webmaster and a webdesigner, there. And the "no need", would be a time saver and advantage, in connection with QR-Code usage. Again: Time saving matters.
Cheers.
Wednesday 16 February 2011
www.englishforum.ch
Created by http://teldesign.tel
Design by: Alexander Schiesser MacLeod.
Ask for your own custom QR-Code, today, at http://teldesign.tel!
Design by: Alexander Schiesser MacLeod.
Ask for your own custom QR-Code, today, at http://teldesign.tel!
Friday 11 February 2011
URL-Verkürzungsdienst mit QR-Code-Funktion
Gerade eben habe ich entdeckt, das der URL-Verkürzungsdienst http://bit.ly einen Dienst anbietet, der besonders kleine und kompakte QR-Codes liefert. Wenn man eine etwas längere URL (Internetadresse) in einen QR-Code verpackt, wird der QR-Code meist schon recht groß. Das ist im Ungang etwas unhandlich und das scannen der Codes wird für weniger leistungsfähige Scanner (Handy mit gering auflösender Kamera oder bei schlechterem Licht) oft schon unmöglich. Man kann solche längeren URL durch verschiedene Dienste kürzen lassen, sodass sehr kruze URL entstehen, die in QR-Codes gepackt wunderschön kleine QR-Codes ergeben. Dazu waren bisher zwei Schritte notwendig:
http://bit.ly macht das in einem Schritt möglich. Dazu ein Beispiel: Die lange URL http://www.qr-shop.de/cgi_bin/bf.pl?Path=02/05 wird zu http://bit.ly/eZyFtq . Wenn man an die kurze URL http://bit.ly/eZyFtq.qrcode anhängt, dann wird automatisch eine QR-Code-Grafik erzeugt, die man in seiner HTML-Seite einbauen oder ausdrucken kann. Hier das Beispiel als QR-Code. Die ungekürzte URL würde folgende Grafik ergeben. Bei super langen URL würde sich das Ergebnis noch viel gravierender auswirken. Die QR-Codes mit verkürzten URL haben praktisch immer die gleiche Größe. Selbstverständlich benutzt der QR-Shop einen ähnlichen Mechanismus um die QR-Codes klein zu halten. | |
| Kommentar: | Nachtrag: mit dem Google Kurz-URL-Service goo.gl fgeht es übrigens auch. An die Kurz-URL einfach ein ".qr" anhängen. Großer Nachteil der Methoden ist, das man die Größe des QR-Codes nicht auf einfache Weise bestimmen kann. |
Wednesday 9 February 2011
Qrok Annonces: Services entièrement gratuit utilisant les QR Codes.
QRok Annonces ! Le 1er site de petites annonces avec QR Codes. Vos annonces sont sur Internet, sur Facebook et partout ou vous imprimerez vos QR Codes...
QRok Annonces est un service de petites annonces avec QR Codes à imprimer et à diffuser sur le média de son choix : panneau de petites annonces, chez un
commerçant, sur une voiture... Votre annonce est de plus automatiquement
diffusée sur Internet et auprès de vos amis FaceBook !
Website:
http://www.qroktag.com/qrok-annonces/
Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/apps/application.php?id=175936265765053&ref=mf&v=wall
Créée à Toulouse en 2010, Qroktag est une société spécialisée dans le développement de solutions mobiles. Qroktag crée et développe de nouvelles applications mobiles pour répondre aux demandes des particuliers et des professionnels en quête de nouveaux services et de nouveaux usages.
Toutes les activités de notre société sont guidées par des valeurs partagées avec nos clients : l’innovation, l’intégrité, l’écoute, la simplicité, et tout ce qui « a du sens ».
1 - Mettez une video sur vos cartes postales ou vos Faire Part !
QRok Card (http://www.qrok-card.fr) vous permet de fabriquer très facilement des faire part ou des cartes postales interactives.
1 - Vous choisissez une photo sur votre ordinateur,
2 - Vous choisissez votre message (texte, lien vers une video),
3 - Vous composez (zoom, couleurs,....) & imprimez votre faire part chez vous sur votre imprimante,
4 - Vous envoyez votre faire part par la poste,
5 - Votre correspondant reçoit le faire part & peut voir votre message multimédia sur son mobile.
Ce service est entièrement gratuit.
2 - Mettez un QR Code sur vos petites annonces papier.
Qrok Annonces est un nouveau service FACEBOOK utilisant les QR Codes (http://apps.facebook.com/qrok-annonces).
Le 1er service francais de petites annonces entièrement gratuit (prof. & particulier) avec génération de QR Code automatique pour chaque annonces.
Chaque QR Code permet d'obtenir sur son mobile, après scan, des photo, voir une video Youtube en lien avec l'annonce, la geolocalisation de votre annonce,
contacter l'annonceur et la possibilité de sauvegarder cette annonce dans votre sac a scan !
L'Appli Facebook permet egalement de partagez vos Annonces sur le reseau avec vos amis...
contact : contact@qroktag.com
http://www.qroktag.com
134 Avenue du Général Eisenhower
31100 Toulouse
Tel: 05 61 19 99 05
Mobile: 06 74 86 76 34
French to English translation
Founded in 2010 in Toulouse, Qroktag is a company specialized in developing mobile solutions. Qroktag creates and develops new mobile applications to meet the demands of individuals and professionals looking for new services and new uses.
All activities of our society are guided by shared values with our customers: innovation, integrity, listening, simplicity, and everything that "makes sense".
1 - Put a video on your postcards or your Announcements!
QRok Card (http://www.qrok-card.fr) lets you build very easy to share or interactive postcards.
1 - You choose a photo on your computer
2 - You choose your message (text, link to video)
3 - You call (zoom, color & print ,....) share your home on your printer
4 - You know by sending your mail,
5 - The caller receives the share & can see your multimedia message on his mobile.
This service is completely free.
2 - Place a QR Code on your ads paper.
Qrok Ads is a new service FACEBOOK using QR Codes (http://apps.facebook.com/qrok-annonces).
1 french service entirely free of ads (business & individual) with automatic generation of QR Code for each ad.
Each QR Code provides on his mobile, after scanning, photo, YouTube video to see a related announcement, the geolocation of your property,
contact the advertiser and the ability to save this property in your bag scan!
The Facebook app lets you share your ads on the network with your friends ...
Contact: contact@qroktag.com
Tuesday 8 February 2011
Lenovo with QR-Code
I will give you a couple of examples of recent implementations of QR codes in Southeast Asia. The first one is of a Singapore magazine publisher using the QR code in a Lenovo ad. The idea is to engage the reader with the product in a more interactive way. This is achieved by putting a QR code inside the ad; for more photos of the model (both the person and the notebook) the reader could scan the code, which will redirect him/her to a mobile website with more interesting content. One can imagine many more examples of implementations of 2D barcodes with regards to advertising, like engaging the reader with the advertiser and publisher through lucky draws, special campaigns, etc.
Sunday 30 January 2011
The fundamental problem with our current monetary system is that it is not sufficiently diverse, and as a result it dams and bottlenecks our creative
The fundamental problem with our current monetary system is that it is not sufficiently diverse, and as a result it dams and bottlenecks our creative energies, and keeps us trapped in a world of scarcity and suffering, when we actually have the capacity to create a very different reality.
Friday 28 January 2011
Mobile Marketing for the Small Business Owner
The best strategy for the retailer who relies on daily foot traffic for sales, is to place a QR Code in their store window right by the front door. Have this code opt-in the customer to your loyalty club so that you can market to them directly using email or SMS texting. To learn more about this, go to YouTube and search for a 15 minute video by QRscanit. You will be amazed by the inexpensive but powerful use of this latest technology.
If you have a smartphone, search your app store for a free QR scanner and download it.
A different code used on another ad can lead to your contact information or a direct call placed to your business. You can even have the code open the smartphone's internet browser to a page you set up to capture their email and SMS text information.
Mobile phones provide 2-way communication not limited to calling but text messaging as well.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_D_Weir
Wednesday 26 January 2011
How does Blogger Mobile work?
You send a message - which can be a photo, some text, or both - to go@blogger.com. We take care of the rest. In other words, we auto-provision a new blog and publish the post. It's that simple.
Here's how to start a mobile blog:
- Text REGISTER to
BLOGGRto create your mobile blog. The text and/or photo in your message will be uploaded to that blog right away. We'll message you back with the address, (so you can visit your new blog on the web) and a token (so you can claim your blog and access it from your account). - OPTIONAL - If you feel like changing anything on your new mobile blog or if you already have a Blogger account and want the posts to go to your existing blog, you can log in to go.blogger.com and enter the token we sent to your phone. You'll then have the option to claim your new mobile blog and merge it with your existing blog. Note to users whose blog address does not contain blogspot.com: Once you make the aforementioned switch, new mobile posts will be published to your chosen blog but mobile posts published prior to the switch will not be moved over automatically.
What types of messages can I send to Blogger Mobile from my phone?
MMS, SMS, or Email - note this doesn't include email sent from a mobile device that actually passes through a webmail gateway (such as mail sent from your stanford.edu account from your phone).
Photos are currently limited to 250K each. If they exceed that size, you'll receive a bounce message letting you know so you can try again with a smaller picture. Note that your phone (or carrier) might have size limits of its own.
Is there a cost for using Blogger Mobile?
Mobile providers' standard rates for sending and receiving text and photo messages apply. Blogger won't charge you for any of its services.
Requirements
Text messaging-enabled mobile device with a text messaging plan. This service is free from Google but charges from your carrier for usage may apply.
Notes:
Blogger unterwegs
Erstellen Sie Posts von jedem Ort aus!
Wenn Sie von einem Handy Text an BLOGGR (256447) oder Fotos an go@blogger.com senden, werden diese automatisch in Ihrem neuen Blog veröffentlicht.
So funktioniert es
MMS- Senden Sie zunächst an go@blogger.com eine MMS oder eine E-Mail mit dem Inhalt "REGISTER".
- Wir antworten mit der Adresse Ihres neuen mobilen Blogs sowie mit einem Übernahmecode.
- Senden Sie Posts an Ihren neuen mobilen Blog oder verwenden Sie den Übernahmecode, um Ihr Telefon mit einem anderen Blog zu verknüpfen.
- Senden Sie eine MMS oder E-Mail mit dem Wort "UNREGISTER" an go@blogger.com, um die Verknüpfung zwischen Ihrem Gerät und Blogger aufzuheben.
oder SMS verwenden
- Senden Sie zunächst an BLOGGR (256447) eine SMS mit dem Inhalt "REGISTER".
- Wir antworten mit der Adresse Ihres neuen mobilen Blogs sowie mit einem Übernahmecode.
- Senden Sie Posts an Ihren neuen mobilen Blog oder verwenden Sie den Übernahmecode, um Ihr Telefon mit einem anderen Blog zu verknüpfen.
- Um keine SMS-Nachrichten mehr zu erhalten, senden Sie "STOP" an BLOGGR (256447).
- Wenn Sie von Ihrem Mobilgerät aus Hilfe anfordern möchten, senden Sie eine SMS mit dem Text "HELP" an BLOGGR (256447).
- Senden Sie "UNREGISTER" an BLOGGR (256447), um die Verknüpfung zwischen Ihrem Gerät und Blogger aufzuheben.
- Es können derzeit nur Textnachrichten von Telefonnummern aus den USA an BLOGGR (256447) gesendet werden.
Geräte und mehr
Blogger Mobile kann mit jedem Gerät verwendet werden, das Texte über SMS oder E-Mails über MMS senden kann. Dieser Google-Service ist kostenfrei. Es gelten die Standardgebühren für den Nachrichtenversand.
Blogger Mobile ist darüber hinaus in einige Kameratelefone von Sony Ericsson integriert, sodass Sie mit nur wenigen Klicks Posts an Ihr Blog senden können.
Weitere Informationen zum mobilen Bloggen finden Sie unter: Wie funktioniert Blogger Mobile?
iPhone-Nutzer: Telefone ohne MMS-Funktion können dennoch Posts an Blogger übermitteln, indem sie mit Mail2Blogger eine SMS oder E-Mail senden.
QR codes for TIME Magazine released in the USA by SET !
Design QR codes's Photos
QR codes for TIME Magazine released in the USA by SET !
QR makes it easy for jobhunters
January 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Regular readers of this blog will know that I jump on anyone that doesn’t do QR codes justice. So it’s only fair that I give praise where praise is due.
Straight to the point
This advertiser (www.wyattinternational.com) has four jobs on offer, but without extra ad space, cannot provide sufficient details of all the posts.
So what does it do? A link is the obvious answer, but you know, it’s that awkward moment when you want to look up a job and you’re in the office. You could look it up on your mobile but the URL is 26 characters long. Heck, that’s a whole alphabet!
Or you could point your phone at the QR code in the corner of the ad, and hey presto, you’ve got the nitty gritty in the palm of your hand and you haven’t had to type a single letter. And hey, no-one even noticed; you don’t have to clear the cache and you don’t have to see who’s looking over your shoulder. Oh, and you can take it home with you!
What’s more, if the job list has changed since the ad was printed, the mobile web page will reflect that change, or at least I expect it to. In fact, when I checked, the job listing was indeed slightly different to the advertised one.
So, well done Wyatt. It’s not the first well-used QR code to come out of The Drum and, as a marketing bible, I’m sure it won’t be the last.
Marc Hindley has over twenty years experience in digital and traditional media. He has worked extensively in journalism and technology and is now delivering digital media services to SMEs in the UK.
Yamaha InfoSound Sends QR-Code-Like Phone Data Over TV Audio
The company calls it InfoSound, and it uses frequencies that are still in the range that can be reproduced by common audio-encoding systems, yet are too high for most humans to hear. With an InfoSound app running on your phone, it would listen for and decode transmissions from TVs playing in the phone's vicinity.
Since most people can't hear above 20kHz, and sensitivity drops both as you approach that limit and as you age, Yamaha intends to focus InfoSound transmissions on audio from 18kHz on up. With CD-quality sound, the highest reproducible frequency is around 22kHz.
This limited frequency range, combined with distortion and ambient noise taking their toll, means Yamaha can't send a whole lot of data this way. It will work a lot like how QR codes do now, where they act as pointers to data online. You might be watching a TV show and an InfoSound broadcast would send a link to your smartphone, suggesting where you could order the show as a DVD box set.
If this kind of system sounds familiar, it should. Digital Convergence, the company behind the massive flop that was the CueCat barcode scanner, launched a similar project in 2001 that used your PC's sound card to decode URLs sent via the TV audio carrier. While it's definitely more convenient to use your smartphone's all-in-one hardware than it is to expect users to both plug in a microphone and watch TV near their computers, the systems sound so very similar that we're curious to see if Yamaha has some trick to succeed where Digital Convergence failed.
Source: Yamaha (via Google Translate)
Via: Engadget
QR-Codes: It will just take time for society to catch on. As it is, there are people who do not have smartphones to be able to enjoy this technology.
There is definitely a future to barcodes and how they will change the way we do business, how we market ourselves, and how we live. It will just take time for society to catch on. As it is, there are people who do not have smartphones to be able to enjoy this technology. Taking the barcode and making it artful is very inspiring. Thank you!
Regards,
Lillian Wong
When a person scans a QrCode or MsTag, they accept a relationship with a brand
When a person scans a QrCode or MsTag, they accept a relationship with a brand and further engage with that brand through great user experience design in and contextual content.
Source:
http://qrarts.com/2011/01/qrcode-adoption-there-is-no-tipping-point/
Source:
http://qrarts.com/2011/01/qrcode-adoption-there-is-no-tipping-point/
Monday 24 January 2011
Dot Tel domains work for QR-Code usage, right out of the box.
Dot Tel is a mobile website, especially for communications, and therefor designed for interaction.
It is most likely the best domain extension for QR-Code usage.
Dot Tel domains work for QR-Code usage, right out of the box.
The only thing the .Tel holder has to do, is to mark his mobile URL's with "(mobile)".
And every one be happy.
Even better, is to create two main folders: "Mobile Content", and "Non-Mobile Content".
Cheers, and take care.
Links:
http://telfordummies.blogspot.com/2011/01/about-domain-name-extensions.html
http://in-telinside.blogspot.com/2011/01/experimental-dot-tel-domain-for-qr-code.html
http://in-telinside.blogspot.com/2011/01/qr-codes-must-be-mobile-content-only.html
http://in-telinside.blogspot.com/2011/01/two-folder-landing-page-for-mobile.html
http://in-telinside.blogspot.com/2011/01/any-website-is-quasi-antother-operation.html
.
Because Dot Tel is the best mobile domain extension, IMO, I would get some .Tel's, and use them as landing pages for mobile web sites.
Because Dot Tel is the best mobile domain extension, IMO, I would get some .Tel's, and use them as landing pages for mobile web sites.
Learn more:
Link:
http://telfordummies.blogspot.com/2011/01/about-domain-name-extensions.html
.
Experimental Dot Tel domain for QR-Code usage
The Dot Tel domain three-folder landing page for QR-Code usage:
Link:
http://rolexwatch.tel/
Learn more:
Link:
http://in-telinside.blogspot.com/2011/01/qr-codes-must-be-mobile-content-only.html
.
QR-Codes must provide mobile content only.
Providing a Dot Tel domain, is a bit problematic, with the random web links. And because most provided web links on a Dot Tel domain, are no mobile web links.
I advise, to always ask the question, if your „content for QR-Codes“ is mobile phone friendly.
You can generate codes from text, phone numbers, email addresses, email messages, Google Maps Location, V Card, the most known social media links, iTunes, youTube, and so on.
But you must distinguish within website URL's.
Especially, when providing Dot Tel domains for QR-Codes, because mobile friendly URL's should be visible and selectable, as such. As mobile URL's.
You don't want to be annoying to the visitor of your Dot Tel page: Which is why it is smart, to create a separate subfolder, named, for example „mobile content“, and „non-mobile content“.
So that using the „mobile content“ folder will be „100% go“.
And the „non-mobile content“ folder data could be transfered to your desktop computer or laptop.
At present, you are able to mark mobile URL's within Dot Tel domains, with „web mobile“, or similar.
But as mobile web links, and non-mobile web links, are scattered all over the contact page, it would be differnt to select the right one, when being „on the go“.
The user experience, could be so much better for a user getting pointet to a Dot Tel domain, by a QR-Code. Otherwhise, if we don't make any difference between the URL's, the visit to your .Tel will end up in frustration and annoyance, having wasted precious time.
So, please keep an eye on those URL's you provide on your Dot Tel domain, when it comes to creating, displaying QR-Codes, and providing mobile web content for people who are offline, on the go, with their mobile phone, ready to snap QR-Codes.
The user won't read all this snapped web content, while he is on the go, but will bookmark many of the codes, until he is at home / home office, or in his office away from home, or in a public transportation, or caffee, restaurant, etc., when he can settle a bit, and use his attention for reading info from his smart phone.
And so, here is my experimental Dot Tel domain for QR-Code usage:
http://rolexwatch.tel/
.
Sunday 23 January 2011
The two folder landing page for mobile sites.
QR-Codes of web links, must only be of mobile web links.
But by providing a Dot Tel domain web link, you can also provide non-mobile friendly web links.
I therefore recommend to have a landing page, only with two main folders: Named:
--> mobile web sites
--> non-mobile web sites
The scanned Dot Tel web link, can be bookmarked on the mobile phone.
The two folder start page, allows you to only choose mobile sites on your mobile, but to transfer the non-mobile data to a desktop computer.
The two folder system quasi splits your Dot Tel domain into two parts. Like two partititions on a hard disk drive.
Subdoimains should be moved manually to other folders.
Always create subfolders outside to the two main folders, and then move them to the main folders (shorter string, etc.).
Without such a two folder system, opening a Dot Tel domain via a QR-Code, could become quite annoying. Because clicking on a non mobile friendly web link... , well, you know...
Yes, beause, at that moment, you are on your mobile smart phone, and you want nothing else, than a nice experience with mobilized web content.
.
Dot Tel Domains: Add color, folders, links, and last but not least: QR-Codes.
Design by www.teldesign.tel,
Alexander Schiesser MacLeod
Alexander Schiesser MacLeod
Any website is quasi antother operation system, co-operating with your existing operation system (Windows or Linus).
Especially the Dot Tel domain, because it is a landing page, where you have to select, make decisions, and navigate, right from the start.
And so, you win, as an owner of a Dot Tel domain, if you offer it, and share it with users, so that they can have a nice experience, navigating through your Dot Tel site. You win, because you leave a good impression. Good impressions are often commentet by „word of mouth“, and that might bring some more traffic to your site.
My message is, to populate and design your Dot Tel site, and make it work good for users/visitors.
Add color, folders, links, and last but not least: QR-Codes, from which your site can be pointed to, and scanned by either a mobile phone, or an other camera with a reader app (web cam).
Take a look, at a few examples with integrated QR-Codes:
http://electricenergy.tel/
http://weinwerbung.tel/
http://teldesign.tel/
http://annunci.tel/
(Codes 1-5:)
http://qrcb.tel/
So, what happens with the QR-Code that I integrated in the logo/picture field of the header?:
It get displayed within Google Search Images.
From there, surfers will scan it with their mobile phone cameras, and be imediatly brought to the related Dot Tel site. Which is then displayed on their mobile phone display.
Or, they will just click on the code, and land on your Dot Tel site.
Lots of different szenarios...
Custom design codes,
for your mobile marketing:
Contact the designer,
at www.teldesign.tel
for your mobile marketing:
Contact the designer,
at www.teldesign.tel
,
Saturday 22 January 2011
What are 2D Barcodes?
The term “2D Barcode” is the name given to the next generation of the barcodes we are used to on everyday packaging and products. Before digging into 2D barcodes, we need to explain the history of 1D barcodes and how we arrived at this point. 1D barcodes are the traditional barcodes we see everyday, they are called one-dimensional because their pattern of thick and thin vertical bars is read in only one direction, from left to right.
History
The barcode that we know and use today seems so ubiquitous and obvious, but it wasn’t always that way. The history of the barcode is an interesting one, it stems from a need for shopkeepers to automatically read product information at the checkout, and at roughly the same time, the US national rail system needing to quickly and uniquely identify the train cars that were moving around the country. These early barcode forerunners date to the 01950s and early 01960s, but didn’t manage to become viable until the mid 01970s. Internally, companies such as IBM, RCA and others, were testing various types of barcodes to track parts, equipment and products as early as the 01940s, so it was only a matter of time before a single standard emerged at the consumer level.
On June 26th, 01974, the first barcode used in a commercial application was scanned. It was a 10 pack of Wrigley’s Juice Fruit Gum, which is now in the Smithsonian Institute. From this point forward, the hardware to scan, read and connect with a back-office computer system which contained more information about the product had reached its tipping-point in cost and usability. The barcode entered into our daily lives 35 years ago this month.
The next logical progression of barcodes is to move from a unique key that points to more information in a centralized back-office to both a decentralized and self-encapsulated system—containing the data itself rather than just the pointer. To do this, a new breed of barcodes needed to be invented. It was the evolution of the technology to meet modern day needs and demands that produced 2D barcodes.
2D Barcodes
To read standard barcodes you needed your own barcode reader, with the exception of the ill-fated CueCat, there was never much available at the consumer level. Only recently have we crossed the threshold of cheap processing power and camera resolutions good enough to correctly identify and decode barcode data. At that point, everyone carrying a modern mobile phone met the minimum requirements of a barcode scanner and was capable of opening the door to understanding the message behind the lines and dots.
2D barcodes are called two-dimensional because their information is encoded in two directions, both h
orizontally and vertically. This allows them to pack in more information per square unit than their predecessors.
Once you recognized the 2D barcode, you launch the application and point the camera at it. The application will decode the barcode and spit back the encoded text. Some applications are “helpful” and if it is a URL it asks you if you want to launch the browser.
Design
2D barcodes can also be styled. Unlike traditional barcodes, there is some error correction built into the various formats. The error correction allows for a percentage of the barcode to be damaged and still be readable. This was originally intended for damage due to tears in the packaging, water damage, etc., but it can easily be turned into damaging on purpose for the reason of branding. Portions of the barcode can be colored or removed and corporate logos or other symbols put in instead.
Types of 2D Barcodes
There are many different types of 2D barcodes vying for attention. The ones that will ultimately win-out are the formats that have been put into the Public Domain and require no royalty payments. We saw this in the cargo shipping industry, both the size of the container and the mechanism for connecting the containers together became de facto standards due to the market share of the major company, but in making sure their formats were the ones adopted by the standards organizations, they needed to be royalty free. It was important to give-up the patents in order to maintain both the competitive edge in their technology and avoiding an alternative format from being chosen and then spending a fortune to bring their fleet up to the specifications of a competitor! The same will play out in the 2D barcode world and those with royalty free patents will ultimately win out over the closed source versions.
Other key factors in adoption will be market share as well as getting connected to major initiatives and legislation. Within the next few years, all airlines will be required to accept printable boarding passes. In doing so, 2D barcodes will move from an alpha-geek technology, to a common household disposable concept. Which format comes-out on top might well be the one that connects itself to a larger industry, such as travel. Even today, in Germany, on the Eurostar and other places, the train tickets are using 2D barcodes to encode your entire itinerary and travel information.
Which format wins out is irrelevant, that is a bikeshed question. It is more important to know how they work, the pros and cons of each, and where the adoption is heading so you can best plan how you might want to integrate them into your own workflows and technologies. The following are various formats each encoding http://optional.is/required/ so you can compare the differences.
QR Code
QR Codes are my personal favorite and usually the ones I am using in projects. They are very popular in Oceana and are slowly taking off in the US via advertising. QR Codes can encode 4000+ characters including Unicode. This makes them more popular in non-ASCII written regions. It is also possible to encode text or binary data into the barcode. This means possible downloads of, audio clips, images, coupons or other files.
You can also use the Google charts API to generate QR Codes dynamically for your applications. This is a very easy way to get started without having to know anything about programming languages or installing software.
Data Matrix
These are the two major types of 2D barcodes when talking about consumer level, DIY type barcodes. A simple way to follow the discussion is to use Google Trends and search for the various 2D barcode types. At some point in late 02007–early 02008, QR Code popularity surpassed Data Matrix. This could be because QR Codes had an uptake in consumer usage and/or Data Matrix has been rebranded under a non-technical name, therefore new terms need to be considered. Either way, as time passes this is a good source to see the popularity of the different formats in different regions.
PDF417
PDF417 format has been taken up by the airlines and travel industry for the printable boarding passes along with various postal services for printable stamps. I am sure it has other applications, but you will most likely come across this next time you fly or receive a letter. Therefore, it is a good format to know about because it is not likely to disappear any time soon.
MaxiCode
The MaxiCode format was developed in the package shipping industry to quickly track packages. It has limited use outside of this. The code itself can only encode 93 characters, but can be chained together to encode close to 800 total. This is fine for unique package ids, but for anything beyond that, it isn’t very helpful. Keep an eye out next time you have to sign for a package, see if it has a MaxiCode or other 2D barcode.
These are far from the only types of 2D barcodes available, there are plenty more, but these seem to be the ones that have reached the greatest critical mass in our daily lives.
Future opportunities
The possibilities of 2D barcodes goes beyond the standard; scan it, look-up a price and spit that back to the customer. Knowing that the 2D barcode can encode more data than a UPC number, we can begin to think of them as hyperlinks from real-world physical objects to the virtual-world of the Internet.
Is black and white the new blue? Maybe instead of black and white squares, they should be printed with blue ink to better make the association with hyperlinks on the web? Ultimately this is what they are becoming, instead of clicking with your mouse, you are clicking with your phone.
Everything you can see around you has more metadata about it than is visible, how much its worth, when you bought it, who owned it before you, etc. Much of this data in in paper work somewhere else. Now, with 2D barcodes, it becomes possible to create links between these objects and pages on the web. Maybe to Amazon to annotate that old book you have, or to wikipedia to further give the backstory about the object, or even to your blog about your trip when you bought that crazy souvenir!
There are plenty more possbilities for 2D Barcodes from games like Hunt the Wumpuses to wine recommendations to product tracking in magazines. If you can get into the mindset of meshing our physical world and augment it with virtual pointers, annotations and notes, then you can begin to see 2D barcodes being used in alsorts of situations.
Issues & Studies
As with any new technology, there are always hurdles to be overcome. With 2D barcodes as hyperlinks from the physical to the virtual, there is an understanding gap, it isn’t a technical problem, but a social one. As people see a 2D barcode stuck onto a post, they are self-conscious about taking out their phone and snapping a photo—something still “feels” wrong about it. Other bystanders look in wonderment at what you are doing and no one wants to be the center of attention in an awkward situation. Some of this will change with brand recognition and understanding, but other social issues still remain.
The University of Bath did a survey about the recognition of 2D barcodes called “Are students ready for QR codes? Findings from a student survey at the University of Bath“. The results of the survey were very interesting. They concluded that 2D barcodes were still an emerging technology, but there was promise in awareness of what they are, how and what they can be used for and having the necessary hardware and software on mobile devices to decode them. It would be interesting to re-conduct this survey in a few years to see if awareness and acceptance have increased, remained the same or dwindled.
The other major issue of a 2D barcode is “what to encode” and how to announce it. A 2D barcode is capable of encoding lots of different information, if you encode a hyperlink, then how, or even should, you make the customer aware that what they decode will be a hyperlink to more information. If you print the URL below to let people know, then why do people need the barcode in the first place? As well, people traveling might be on a roaming plan and not want to access the web. The way to solve this would be to keep things “offline” and simply encode the data straight into the barcode as plain-text, but then you lose the ability to update the information via the website, the barcode is no longer a pointer to fresh information, but instead is like last weeks newspaper.
The same goes for other formats as well, the ability to encode vCard, digital business cards, and iCalendar files, digital events that can easily be added to your calendar, all need to be explained to the customer. If it is engaging they will take out their phone participate, but giving no sense of “smell” limits the number of people willing to try. If there is no “smell” and they take out their phone only to be disappointed, then the next time they are not likely to even reach for their pockets. How we give queues to the barcodes is still very much in the air. It is not a technical problem, but a usability issue that requires an ethnographic solution of how people expect things to work rather than how we tell them it will.
We created a wiki for 2D barcode best practices to help document what works, what doesn’t, what customers are expecting and what the software/hardware combination support. It is open to the public, so hopefully over time it will continue to grow with information.
It will be interesting if and when 2D barcodes become mainstream or maybe another technology like RFID will completely overtake them before they get the chance to break into popular culture. Either way, it is good to understand the benefit and drawbacks to this new technology and how it could be used in your next application.
Paper and ink are cheap, so look for barcodes to be around in some form for awhile to come.
Where can I display QR-Codes? Learn more, here:
QR-Code are scanable by a mobile phone with a reader app, as well as by web cam.
QR Codes can be scanned from a further distance, offline, as well as from any computer screen.
Because QR Codes can be also scaned with non-mobile cameras (web cam), they should be displayed anywhere, and more regulary.
And so, we can put extra info on a letter.
Learn more, here:
Link:
http://telfordummies.blogspot.com/2010/12/openoffice-extensions-magenta-2d.html
OpenOffice Magenta 2D Barcode:
With this extension you can insert 2D barcode directly in text documents, spreadsheets and Base Forms.
Select the text and click the button or click the button and type the text.
Please note that selected text will be replaced with the image.
Operating System: System Independent
Compatible with: OpenOffice.org 2.1 | StarOffice 8 Update 5 or higher.
Version: 1.0.3
Date: 2010-Feb-18
Size: 26.14 KB
License: Opensource
We can display QR-Codes, containin info about our telefon number, or email address, or office address, or just a short text note, etc.
The
Brother p-touch
QL-550
is one of the best tag and sticker printers.
It is an older model, but probably still available.
Conclusion:
Display QR-Codes on letters, and on enveloppes (address, emai address, phone number, web URL, etc.).
Print QR-Code stickers for putting on your eBay packages for shipping out to your buyers: They are able to scan info about the item, without having to open the package.
Print QR-Code stickers, to advertise classified ads on supermarket classifieds billboards for customers of the supermarket.
.
QR Codes can be scanned from a further distance, offline, as well as from any computer screen.
Because QR Codes can be also scaned with non-mobile cameras (web cam), they should be displayed anywhere, and more regulary.
And so, we can put extra info on a letter.
Learn more, here:
Link:
http://telfordummies.blogspot.com/2010/12/openoffice-extensions-magenta-2d.html
OpenOffice Magenta 2D Barcode:
With this extension you can insert 2D barcode directly in text documents, spreadsheets and Base Forms.
Select the text and click the button or click the button and type the text.
Please note that selected text will be replaced with the image.
Operating System: System Independent
Compatible with: OpenOffice.org 2.1 | StarOffice 8 Update 5 or higher.
Version: 1.0.3
Date: 2010-Feb-18
Size: 26.14 KB
License: Opensource
We can display QR-Codes, containin info about our telefon number, or email address, or office address, or just a short text note, etc.
The
Brother p-touch
QL-550
is one of the best tag and sticker printers.
It is an older model, but probably still available.
Conclusion:
Display QR-Codes on letters, and on enveloppes (address, emai address, phone number, web URL, etc.).
Print QR-Code stickers for putting on your eBay packages for shipping out to your buyers: They are able to scan info about the item, without having to open the package.
Print QR-Code stickers, to advertise classified ads on supermarket classifieds billboards for customers of the supermarket.
.
Friday 21 January 2011
Thursday 20 January 2011
Wednesday 19 January 2011
How to Successfully Use 2D Barcodes in an Advertisement
Written by Roger Marquis
Recently, 3GVision and ScanLife, two of the more dominant companies in the two-dimensional (2D) barcode industry, have each published new market research reports, which indicate that an increasing number of 2D barcodes are being scanned by consumers in the United States, as well as worldwide. While this research spells great news for the industry and points to the fact that consumers are becoming that much more familiar with, knowledgeable of and interested in scanning 2D barcodes, what is less clear, however, is how companies themselves are adopting to and making use of this mobile phone-based technology.
Through the tracking and analysis that my company does on 2D barcode use and strategy for corporate advertising and promotion purposes, it seems as though, on a gross basis, more and more companies are incorporating 2D barcodes in their advertising and promotion. However, on a net basis, each individual company is using 2D barcodes that much less. Why should this be? Why would one set of numbers be going up while the other set is going down? Well, if success rates (i.e., an increase in advertising response rates, product sales revenue, customer loyalty, social/media buzz, etc.) have anything to do with it then, perhaps, plenty.
In the field of marketing, if a strategy or tactic proves to be successful it will often be repeated time and again until that level of success starts to diminish. If 2D barcodes, as a tactical element in a campaign, were thought to or actually proved to help drive corporate advertising and promotion campaign response rates, etc., it would stand to reason that 2D barcodes would become a standard fixture in advertisements and pieces of collateral. But this is not happening. What we often find is that any one company will use a 2D barcode in one campaign and then never again, even though they continue to conduct traditional advertising. Or, a company may use a 2D barcode in one channel, but not across multiple channels. The frequency and breadth of exposure becomes almost non existent at that point, which is an issue in and of itself, and might lead one to believe that 2D barcodes are not generating the results that a company had envisioned or were lead to expect, so the continued use of barcodes by any one company quickly drops off.
While there are a variety of factors which might explain the lack of success and poor results that many companies have experienced with 2D barcodes, what often lies at the root of the problem is a failure to properly formulate, integrate and execute 2D barcode campaigns from the start. Oftentimes, it appears as though the use of 2D barcodes is a mere afterthought in the creative and development process. What may also be happening is that the agency pitches the idea of being viewed as cutting edge (i.e., by placing a 2D barcode) but, unfortunately, the agency has not done their homework and goes about developing and delivering a half-baked campaign.
As with many facets of marketing, there are often a number of best practices which can be deployed to ensure a greater chance of success, effectiveness and efficiency. Let’s review five of the more fundamental of best practices, as they relate to the use of 2D barcodes.
2D Barcode Best Practice #1
Companies must realize that a 2D barcode placed in a print advertisement or on a piece of marketing collateral is merely one more tactical method by which a company can engage and interact with a customer. It is also a gateway between the print world and the digital world. 2D barcodes in and of themselves should not be viewed as “the strategy.”
2D Barcode Best Practice #2
With a 2D barcode displayed in an advertisement, the advertiser must provide a reason or use a call to action that is strong enough to attract a consumer's attention and will have them wanting to take out their mobile phone, launch a code reader app, scan the code and then filter through the content that is provided, also known as the scan resolve. Similar to any other form of advertising, whether it be direct mail, email, internet, telemarketing, television, radio, etc., 2D barcode-based advertisements must have a meaningful and purposeful call to action, and if the call to action is focused on or directly linked to the code, all the better.
2D Barcode Best Practice #3
Because 2D barcode technology is still so new in the United States, companies should not assume that consumers know what to do once they see a 2D barcode. For this reason, companies that choose to make use of 2D technology should incorporate descriptive and/or instructional copy next to the 2D barcode. This way, consumers will know what the code symbol is, where to find a code reader app and where they will go once the code is scanned.
2D Barcode Best Practice #4
If by scanning a 2D barcode a consumer is brought into the digital world via their mobile device then companies need to realize that there is a vast difference between a traditional or desk/laptop internet experience and a mobile phone internet experience. When developing a 2D barcode campaign, companies should build out a mobile website to house whatever content is to be provided to the consumer. Optimizing sites and/or content for mobile is key if the advertiser wishes to keep a consumer engaged past the original advertisement and call to action message.
2D Barcode Best Practice #5
Companies often limit the use and exposure of their 2D barcodes to the print channel only, and this should not be the case. Companies should incorporate their 2D barcodes across multiple channels in order to increase exposure, and response rates, that much more. Instead of just print, companies should consider the out of home, in-store, on package, direct mail, internet and event channels, as well. If a 2D barcode is used in various channels then the company must make certain that, in each instance, the 2D barcode message and scan resolve makes sense and is relevant to that specific channel.
If your company plans to use 2D barcodes in future campaigns know that these five best practices merely scratch the surface. There are a number of other best practices to employ not only from a marketing perspective, but also from a technology perspective.
In summary, 2D barcode advertising needs to be given the time, energy, resources and overall consideration that any other form of advertising (e.g., direct mail, email, telemarketing, television, radio, banner ad, landing page, text message, etc.) might take. There are no quick fixes and shortcuts are not recommended in order to be successful. Companies, as well as their agencies, must do their homework to fully understand the technology and how best to apply it. And, hopefully, the information provided in this article is a start.
For information about a more complete list of 2D barcode best practices click here.
Roger_Marquis_PictureAbout the Author
Roger Marquis is the founder of 2D Barcode Strategy, a marketing consultancy that focuses on the use and strategy of 2D barcode technology for marketing, advertising and general business purposes. Prior to this, Mr. Marquis held senior-level marketing management positions at leading global organizations within the financial services, technology and publishing industries, and he conceived and managed True Wind, a travel accessories company. Experienced in all aspects of the marketing mix, and knowledgeable of digital and traditional marketing practices, Mr. Marquis is considered a thought leader in the ever growing 2D barcode industry and is known for providing insightful analysis and commentary on the subject matter.
Recently, 3GVision and ScanLife, two of the more dominant companies in the two-dimensional (2D) barcode industry, have each published new market research reports, which indicate that an increasing number of 2D barcodes are being scanned by consumers in the United States, as well as worldwide. While this research spells great news for the industry and points to the fact that consumers are becoming that much more familiar with, knowledgeable of and interested in scanning 2D barcodes, what is less clear, however, is how companies themselves are adopting to and making use of this mobile phone-based technology.
Through the tracking and analysis that my company does on 2D barcode use and strategy for corporate advertising and promotion purposes, it seems as though, on a gross basis, more and more companies are incorporating 2D barcodes in their advertising and promotion. However, on a net basis, each individual company is using 2D barcodes that much less. Why should this be? Why would one set of numbers be going up while the other set is going down? Well, if success rates (i.e., an increase in advertising response rates, product sales revenue, customer loyalty, social/media buzz, etc.) have anything to do with it then, perhaps, plenty.
In the field of marketing, if a strategy or tactic proves to be successful it will often be repeated time and again until that level of success starts to diminish. If 2D barcodes, as a tactical element in a campaign, were thought to or actually proved to help drive corporate advertising and promotion campaign response rates, etc., it would stand to reason that 2D barcodes would become a standard fixture in advertisements and pieces of collateral. But this is not happening. What we often find is that any one company will use a 2D barcode in one campaign and then never again, even though they continue to conduct traditional advertising. Or, a company may use a 2D barcode in one channel, but not across multiple channels. The frequency and breadth of exposure becomes almost non existent at that point, which is an issue in and of itself, and might lead one to believe that 2D barcodes are not generating the results that a company had envisioned or were lead to expect, so the continued use of barcodes by any one company quickly drops off.
While there are a variety of factors which might explain the lack of success and poor results that many companies have experienced with 2D barcodes, what often lies at the root of the problem is a failure to properly formulate, integrate and execute 2D barcode campaigns from the start. Oftentimes, it appears as though the use of 2D barcodes is a mere afterthought in the creative and development process. What may also be happening is that the agency pitches the idea of being viewed as cutting edge (i.e., by placing a 2D barcode) but, unfortunately, the agency has not done their homework and goes about developing and delivering a half-baked campaign.
As with many facets of marketing, there are often a number of best practices which can be deployed to ensure a greater chance of success, effectiveness and efficiency. Let’s review five of the more fundamental of best practices, as they relate to the use of 2D barcodes.
2D Barcode Best Practice #1
Companies must realize that a 2D barcode placed in a print advertisement or on a piece of marketing collateral is merely one more tactical method by which a company can engage and interact with a customer. It is also a gateway between the print world and the digital world. 2D barcodes in and of themselves should not be viewed as “the strategy.”
2D Barcode Best Practice #2
With a 2D barcode displayed in an advertisement, the advertiser must provide a reason or use a call to action that is strong enough to attract a consumer's attention and will have them wanting to take out their mobile phone, launch a code reader app, scan the code and then filter through the content that is provided, also known as the scan resolve. Similar to any other form of advertising, whether it be direct mail, email, internet, telemarketing, television, radio, etc., 2D barcode-based advertisements must have a meaningful and purposeful call to action, and if the call to action is focused on or directly linked to the code, all the better.
2D Barcode Best Practice #3
Because 2D barcode technology is still so new in the United States, companies should not assume that consumers know what to do once they see a 2D barcode. For this reason, companies that choose to make use of 2D technology should incorporate descriptive and/or instructional copy next to the 2D barcode. This way, consumers will know what the code symbol is, where to find a code reader app and where they will go once the code is scanned.
2D Barcode Best Practice #4
If by scanning a 2D barcode a consumer is brought into the digital world via their mobile device then companies need to realize that there is a vast difference between a traditional or desk/laptop internet experience and a mobile phone internet experience. When developing a 2D barcode campaign, companies should build out a mobile website to house whatever content is to be provided to the consumer. Optimizing sites and/or content for mobile is key if the advertiser wishes to keep a consumer engaged past the original advertisement and call to action message.
2D Barcode Best Practice #5
Companies often limit the use and exposure of their 2D barcodes to the print channel only, and this should not be the case. Companies should incorporate their 2D barcodes across multiple channels in order to increase exposure, and response rates, that much more. Instead of just print, companies should consider the out of home, in-store, on package, direct mail, internet and event channels, as well. If a 2D barcode is used in various channels then the company must make certain that, in each instance, the 2D barcode message and scan resolve makes sense and is relevant to that specific channel.
If your company plans to use 2D barcodes in future campaigns know that these five best practices merely scratch the surface. There are a number of other best practices to employ not only from a marketing perspective, but also from a technology perspective.
In summary, 2D barcode advertising needs to be given the time, energy, resources and overall consideration that any other form of advertising (e.g., direct mail, email, telemarketing, television, radio, banner ad, landing page, text message, etc.) might take. There are no quick fixes and shortcuts are not recommended in order to be successful. Companies, as well as their agencies, must do their homework to fully understand the technology and how best to apply it. And, hopefully, the information provided in this article is a start.
For information about a more complete list of 2D barcode best practices click here.
Roger_Marquis_PictureAbout the Author
Roger Marquis is the founder of 2D Barcode Strategy, a marketing consultancy that focuses on the use and strategy of 2D barcode technology for marketing, advertising and general business purposes. Prior to this, Mr. Marquis held senior-level marketing management positions at leading global organizations within the financial services, technology and publishing industries, and he conceived and managed True Wind, a travel accessories company. Experienced in all aspects of the marketing mix, and knowledgeable of digital and traditional marketing practices, Mr. Marquis is considered a thought leader in the ever growing 2D barcode industry and is known for providing insightful analysis and commentary on the subject matter.
Monday 17 January 2011
Social QR Code is the first ever QR Code Generator Designed for Social Sharing and Social Media. And it's FREE!
Social QR Code- QR Codes to Enhance Traditional Marketing
About Social QR Code
QR stands for "Quick Response" and has been around since 1994 in Japan. Never before has a QR Code been used to support and promote your Social Media marketing. Social QR Code is the first QR Code Generator specifically designed to get your fan page more Facebook "Likes", Twitter followers and share your content through Social Media! Get started today, it only takes minutes and is absolutely FREE!
Social QR Code is a service that allows users to easily create QR Codes that when scanned by a smart phone direct people to a Socially designed Landing Page. Use Social QR Code to jump start your social media campaigns and social media presence. Use the Facebook Social QR Code product to essentially place a "Like" button in your store front, on your print advertisements and at the point of sale for your products. Previously "Like" buttons were relegated for your computer screens. Social QR Code allows business's and brands to bring their "Like" buttons everywhere in the real world!
With a background in Social Media Marketing, Social QR Code was created to facilitate QR Code in becoming social. Traditional QR Codes are designed for URL's and other non-interactive content. Use Social QR Code to create interactive, and meaningful QR Code campaigns. Create a coupon for your business and when it is scanned and redeemed by your customers, they can share it on Facebook and Twitter with all their friends and followers! Coupons will spread like wildfire and your business will be busier than ever! Click here to learn more about the different Features of Social QR Code.
Social Media has been a major component of marketing campaigns over the past few years. Social QR Code is a technology that allows consumers to connect with your business or brand when they are on the move. No longer are consumers limited to communicating with your business or brand from their desktop or laptop. Social QR Codes allow your customers to access information while on the go, while at your business.Use Social QR Code to link your physical world to your digital properties...
The internet does not tether you to your desktop computer or even your laptop computer anymore. The internet follows you where ever you go, in your pocket on your mobile phone. Links are no longer a phenomenon encountered solely on the internet. Thanks to QR Codes, links can be placed on physical items.
Use Social QR Code to link your physical world to your digital properties. Have your consumers and clients scan a QR Code using their smart phones to "Like" your Facebook fan page, Tweet a message to their Twitter followers, post content to their personal Facebook profile and much more.
Social QR Code works with Facebook, Twitter, Google Maps, YouTube, URL's, eMails, Phone Numbers, Text Messaging, Business Card Information, Android and Apple Markets. Get started today by signing up for an account!
BUILD SOCIAL QR CODE CAMPAIGNS
Create Social QR Codes in minutes. Decide which Social medium to connect and print your Social QR Code on Brochures, Billboards, Bus Stops and other marketing materials.
WHO CAN BENEFIT?
Local businesses: Retail, Restaurants, Night Clubs, Dentists, Lawyers, Day Spas, Hair Stylists, Coffee Shops, Cafe’s, Book Stores, Gyms, Realtors, Sports Teams, Doctors and many More! Marketing and Public Relations Agencies: Do you manage your clients Fan Page? Help them get more fans!
Link:
http://www.socialqrcode.com/
Free mobile advertizing with QR-Codes at the Annunci.tel site, untill, 1. of Mai.
How it works:
What is a QR code?
A QR code is a two-dimensional code that is readable by your mobile smartphone. When you scan a QR code with a QR code reader app it will automatically open a related link on your phone’s web browser. Every QR code has it’s own link.
That’s very cool but what can I do with them?
We will create a sub-domain for you, and upload a QR-Code of your item description to the header-icon field.
QR codes give sellers a way to sell their online items in the offline world. Sellers can click on the QR code in their listing to print it out. Then, if you’re selling one of your items in a store, flea, or other physical location, you can put the printed QR code next to the item.
Potential buyers can scan the QR code and be taken right to the item’s www.annunci.tel listing. Since your listing contains more information on the item, it’s very useful for a buyer to see. They can purchase the item, or save the listing for later. It’s just another great way to sell your items.
If you want, you can give it a try with your smartphone on any listing. Just enlarge a QR code on a listing, aim the reader app at it and see what happens!
Do you want to sell an item on annunci.tel?:
Send us your item description with requested price and your contact email, to the following email address:
annuncitel@gmail.com
We will list your item, together with the related QR-Code, that we will generate.
Link zu Annunci.Tel:
http://annunci.tel/
Blog:
http://annuncitel.blogspot.com/
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