The biggest problem with QR Codes or any form of marketing tools is, not just using them for the sake of using them. The airline industry has done a great job of figuring out how to make QR Codes helpful and useful to their customers and not just something that sends you to the company homepage.
While traveling a few times over the last few months I have noticed a big change in the way things are being done in the airports. No, I’m not going to complain about all the checking and scanning by TSA. The TSA thing went very smoothly for me.
What I did want to talk about though, was how using a QR Codes made my life easier, the airlines life easier, could potentially set up a way to build a marketing database and lastly save the world of unneeded waste.
So here is the deal, you’re now able to check-in at the airport the night or morning before your flight. You just go to the airlines website and check-in on their site. Then in a few moments the airline emails you a link to your boarding pass and it looks like this (see photo below).
So you no longer have to wait in line (unless you have to check your luggage – which you can also do online, but this is not as smooth at the airport, at least not yet). So you just go through the gates, show your phone, scan it on their bar code reader, show your license and walk through. It was very easy and everyone was happy to see we were prepared.
So you no longer have to print out your boarding pass. Think of how much waste the airlines were creating with paper boarding passes/tickets and the little folders to carry them in. This will be a huge paper use reduction for the airlines. It be nice if we could get free baggage again for this cost savings. Don’t you agree?
The reason I wanted to share this is because QR Codes are so miss used. Many times they just point someone to the homepage of a website. This is not useful to your customers and prospects. Why not take some time and develop a strategic way to use QR Codes so that the end user doesn’t even think about it. They just do what they got to do, scan their code and get something of value in return. Some sort of offer or an easier way to check-in.
This is the first use of the QR Codes that I have scanned and been impressed with. It actually was useful to me, not just some lame self promo gimmick! Brandwise too is guilty of using QR Codes as more of a gimmick than useful tool. Stay posted though. We are looking for other uses and when we find a solid use for us our one of our clients, we will share it with you.
The iphone is even more valuable on flights. I use it for listening to music or audio books, play games, reading already downloaded emails and now to get on the plane! Who would have thought? Way to go airlines, you have finally done something in the last 10 years that actually made my life easier instead of more challenging. Keep up the good work!
Dale:
I think the QR Code is desperately looking for a useful home in Marketing. I’m experimenting with one on our Contact Us page. If you scan the code with a SmartPhone you can access maps and directions to our office via Google. We are typically not a destination but do get visits from prospects and customers so I thought this might be away to provide maps and directions. It seems to work.
I could also see QR codes being used as part of a trade show promotion or contest where users can scan to enter or get a clue for a game.
I’ve also used them in Best Buy to scan a shelf tag when no Blue Shirts were available but their execution is not very good because it takes you to their full size web site not a mobile page for that item.
Good post. Look forward to seeing what you come up with.
Chuck
Dale:
I think the QR Code is desperately looking for a useful home in Marketing. I’m experimenting with one on our Contact Us page. If you scan the code with a SmartPhone you can access maps and directions to our office via Google. We are typically not a destination but do get visits from prospects and customers so I thought this might be away to provide maps and directions. It seems to work.
I could also see QR codes being used as part of a trade show promotion or contest where users can scan to enter or get a clue for a game.
I’ve also used them in Best Buy to scan a shelf tag when no Blue Shirts were available but their execution is not very good because it takes you to their full size web site not a mobile page for that item.
Good post. Look forward to seeing what you come up with.
Chuck
Chuck, you are correct about QR Codes. The problem is not so much the tool itself, but the company or marketer using it. See you found a better solution for BestBuy – instead going to the site, only have it take you to a mobile page built for each product. Of course this is going to be pricey so maybe they only do a few products (more pricey products) and then slowly build out the other stuff over time.
You don’t know how many times I went to places like CompUSA to look at a new mac and those people had no idea what I was talking about. Had there been a QR Code that I could scan and get all the details and then maybe have that tied to a call-center to get further questions answered it would have helped close more deals. Now, the Apple Store has fixed all of this, but this same use could be applied to many different areas of business.
The downside of dabbling with this stuff without a good reason for prospects to scan your code means they walk away frustrated. Does this mean you lost the ability for them to scan something else? Maybe so. That is why the strategy and delivery needs to be useful to users and not just a Hey Look At Me, Look How Tech Savvy I Am!
You had some other great ideas. The trade show market is a huge market for QR Codes. What if you sent a pre-show mailer and the people who scan the code got a free personal consultation or giveaway when they stop by the booth. This could make it easy to quickly collect data and drive traffic to the booth, connect and move on to the next person.
Thanks for your thoughts Chuck!
Chuck, you are correct about QR Codes. The problem is not so much the tool itself, but the company or marketer using it. See you found a better solution for BestBuy – instead going to the site, only have it take you to a mobile page built for each product. Of course this is going to be pricey so maybe they only do a few products (more pricey products) and then slowly build out the other stuff over time.
You don’t know how many times I went to places like CompUSA to look at a new mac and those people had no idea what I was talking about. Had there been a QR Code that I could scan and get all the details and then maybe have that tied to a call-center to get further questions answered it would have helped close more deals. Now, the Apple Store has fixed all of this, but this same use could be applied to many different areas of business.
The downside of dabbling with this stuff without a good reason for prospects to scan your code means they walk away frustrated. Does this mean you lost the ability for them to scan something else? Maybe so. That is why the strategy and delivery needs to be useful to users and not just a Hey Look At Me, Look How Tech Savvy I Am!
You had some other great ideas. The trade show market is a huge market for QR Codes. What if you sent a pre-show mailer and the people who scan the code got a free personal consultation or giveaway when they stop by the booth. This could make it easy to quickly collect data and drive traffic to the booth, connect and move on to the next person.
Thanks for your thoughts Chuck!
I’ve been following blogs and articles about QR codes and after reading this I think I have a great idea for one. I am unable to take walk-in business for massage & skincare, I am by appointment only. I have online scheduling to prevent phone tag. I could use a QR code on the window of my location directing walk ups to my online scheduling page that shows them availability. If I have a slot open, they can book it immediately. Hmmmm? You have me thinking more about these snazzy codes. Thanks Dale!
I’ve been following blogs and articles about QR codes and after reading this I think I have a great idea for one. I am unable to take walk-in business for massage & skincare, I am by appointment only. I have online scheduling to prevent phone tag. I could use a QR code on the window of my location directing walk ups to my online scheduling page that shows them availability. If I have a slot open, they can book it immediately. Hmmmm? You have me thinking more about these snazzy codes. Thanks Dale!
Jamie,
Yeah, this is a good idea. You should also promote some things like your facebook page, twitter account and Foursquare account and tell people to check in. You might be able to share discounts or specials on Foursqare that works great for retail type businesses. Keep working on ideas for these kind of ideas and you will quickly be leading your industry. Good luck!
Jamie,
Yeah, this is a good idea. You should also promote some things like your facebook page, twitter account and Foursquare account and tell people to check in. You might be able to share discounts or specials on Foursqare that works great for retail type businesses. Keep working on ideas for these kind of ideas and you will quickly be leading your industry. Good luck!
Dale:
Here’s an interesting use for QR Codes in healthcare. A Nurse/Author I follow blogged about using the codes to provide education links to patients with smartphones.
http://notimetoteach.com/2011/qr-codes/
Dale:
Here’s an interesting use for QR Codes in healthcare. A Nurse/Author I follow blogged about using the codes to provide education links to patients with smartphones.
http://notimetoteach.com/2011/qr-codes/
Chuck,
Thanks for sharing this link. This is a really great idea. Does this tie in or cut into your market? I like the idea of quick, easy digital access to education that you can take with you when you go home. It seems like this would be a great way to help educate family and friends on what’s happening if your having medical issues or surgery. Thanks for sharing.
Chuck,
Thanks for sharing this link. This is a really great idea. Does this tie in or cut into your market? I like the idea of quick, easy digital access to education that you can take with you when you go home. It seems like this would be a great way to help educate family and friends on what’s happening if your having medical issues or surgery. Thanks for sharing.