What are those crooked little black and white squares we’re seeing on store windows, magazines, packages…just about everywhere we look?

They’re called QR codes – QR standing for “quick response”.

They require a QR reader on a smartphone to decipher and typically lead to a page on the web with valuable information about a product, service or even an event.

As a means of mobile marketing, QR codes represent an opportunity for businesses to directly promote to their target audience. According to a comScore survey 6.2% of smartphone users scan QR codes. This may sound like an insignificant number but keep in mind many businesses find Twitter has increased their business and Twitter touts only a 13% share of people using the web.

The demographic of those scanning a QR code with their smartphone is typically be male, between the ages of 25 to 34 and an upper income bracket.

[Read the comSource report]

Could your business take advantage of a QR code?

Here are five tips to consider:

1. Offer something of value

Don’t use a QR code to send users to your website’s homepage. Create a landing page specifically for that QR code and offer something unique that isn’t available on your site

• a video
• a contest
• a free report

Customize the offering for your market. If stay-at-home moms are your target, a fun contest might work. A free report would appeal to business executives. Be creative!

2. Include a Call To Action

Don’t rely on people’s curiosity! Not everyone will automatically scan your QR code. Remember to include the benefit the user will receive.

3. Help users read the QR code

These codes are relatively new so include some directions, like where to go to download a QR reader or hints on how to successfully scan the code.

4. Get a QR code

Creating the actual QR code is simple. Google has a free QR code generator. Simply enter the URL that you want users to visit and it produces the code.

[Get the Google QR Code Generator]

5. Place the QR code everywhere

Nowadays people always have their smartphones with them so don’t limit your QR codes placement to print. Think about taking advantage of your store windows, your business cards, direct mailers, packaging, on your receipts and bills.

Now that you know what QR codes are and why you should have one, get busy and create one for your business!

Need some inspiration? Check out these clever QR Code Ideas!