QR Codes are an integral part of offline interactions between consumers and brands. These pixelated shapes transport consumers to your online content in just seconds. All you need is a quick scan with a mobile phone camera to unlock the power of a QR Code.
But did you know that these unique codes have a rich history? In the three decades that QR Codes have been around, businesses and individuals have used them in a variety of different ways to connect online and offline content.
Curious? Take a look at these ten interesting facts about QR Code usage.
A quick recap of QR Codes
Quick Response Codes, QR Codes for short, are 2D barcodes with a pixelated pattern, often square-shaped and black-and-white. These codes link to specific web pages or digital content.
One of the unique benefits of QR Codes is that you don’t need a special barcode scanner to read them. All you need is the camera on your smartphone or another web-connected mobile device. Scan the code with your camera, and the corresponding link will open in your web browser.
Although QR Codes have been around for decades, they became particularly popular during the COVID-19 pandemic. Restaurants, especially, used them to offer contactless menus and payment options.
Although social distancing measures are no longer in place, many establishments still use QR Code payments and menus for convenience and sustainable hospitality.
QR Codes are also an effective offline marketing tool. Brands can include QR Codes on billboards, flyers, print ads, business cards, and other physical marketing assets to link to an online landing page.
10 fun facts about QR Codes to remember
Want to go beyond QR Code basics and learn more about this technology? Here are ten fun facts you should know about QR Codes.
1. QR Codes were created in Japan by Denso Wave
While people tend to think of QR Codes as a thoroughly modern technology, they’ve actually been around since the early 1990s. They were created by Denso Wave, a subsidiary of a Japanese company that manufactures auto components.
The company needed a way to track auto parts during the assembly process. An employee named Masahiro Hara came up with the idea for QR Codes in 1994 while playing the game Go.
Standard barcodes weren’t effective for auto manufacturing. They were difficult to scan, which slowed production down. Also, they could only store a limited amount of data, which meant that manufacturers often needed to use multiple barcodes for a single part. The square size and shape of QR Codes helped solve this problem.
While the technology originated in Japan, it eventually spread to other parts of the world. Throughout the ‘90s and ‘00s, companies around the world used QR Codes as part of the manufacturing process. However, it wasn’t until the advent of smartphones that companies began using consumer-facing QR Codes.
Today, QR Code technology is in use globally. They remain very popular in Japan and have become widespread in the United States, China, India, and many other countries. In fact, 85% of Chinese consumers made payments via QR Codes in 2020.
2. QR Codes connect online and offline with a real physical link
When you’re surfing the internet, it’s easy to navigate from site to site with digital links. However, in the real world, it’s much less convenient. For example, if you see a flier with a website listed on it, you’ll have to manually type the link into your URL bar or search for it, which can be inconvenient.
A QR Code serves as a physical representative of an online link. By using a QR Code, you create a seamless connection between the offline world and the digital world.
3. QR Codes hold a massive amount of data
Compared to traditional barcodes, QR Codes can hold a tremendous amount of data. A single QR Code can store up to 4,296 alphanumeric characters—over 200 times more than the 20-character capacity of a regular barcode!
The sheer volume of data that a QR Code can store makes it an effective option for sharing files, including documents, images, video clips, and other mediums. Most QR Codes can handle file sizes from 3MB to 5MB.
4. QR Codes are easily customizable for your brand
Modern QR Codes are fully customizable based on your individual preferences. You can adjust the barcode pattern and colors to match your brand identity. You can also add your logo and a call to action, which encourages users to scan.
Customizing your QR Code helps it fit seamlessly into your marketing campaigns and adds a sleek, professional touch.
5. QR Codes can be linked to custom-made mobile pages
QR Codes often link to digital landing pages, but did you know they can also link to pages that are specifically for mobile users? Since most people scan QR Codes with a mobile device, it makes sense to have landing pages that are optimized for small touchscreen interfaces.
As with desktop landing pages, you can customize mobile QR Code pages for many different use cases. They’re particularly great for simplifying mobile payments or for sharing product information. You can also use them to share video promotions or coupons.
6. QR Codes gained a lot of popularity during the pandemic due to their contactless nature
During the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals and businesses had to find new ways to interact safely. The use of QR Codes skyrocketed during this time because they made it easy to share information while still maintaining social distancing.
This approach was particularly popular in restaurants, where consumers could scan a QR Code to peruse the menu and even make contactless payments at the end of the meal.
Many retail stores and live events spaces also adopted this approach, posting QR Code signs with important information instead of in-person interactions. Health and wellness providers also used QR Codes for fast and contactless mobile check-in.
While social distancing is no longer necessary in most cases, many businesses still use QR Codes to improve the customer experience. Consumers are very familiar with QR Codes now, so they can help make interactions and customer communication more efficient.
7. QR Code scans make analytics come to life
Bitly’s Dynamic QR Codes come with built-in tracking and analytics. This means that you can track the number of QR Code scans over time, the physical location of each scan, and even the type of device used to scan.
This functionality can help you better understand the success of your QR Code campaign and your marketing campaign as a whole. For example, say you place the same QR Code on signs and flyers in several different cities. Location tracking will help you determine which cities are generating the most engagement.
Alternatively, you can use QR Code analytics to compare marketing assets and determine which ones are most effective. Say you create two different ads for the same product. You can use different QR Codes for each ad to determine which one resonates more with your target audience.
8. People can use QR Codes to download image files
One appealing aspect of QR Codes is how easy they are to share. QR Code generators like Bitly allow you to download your QR Code as a JPG, PNG, or SVG file. This makes them easy to share or edit into many different file types.
9. Most modern devices are capable of scanning QR Codes
Today, the camera on virtually every mobile device works as a QR Code scanner. If your device doesn’t have this functionality built-in, you can still download a QR Code reader app to use them. Since QR Codes are widely accessible to most smartphone users, they are a very convenient and easy way to share web pages and other digital content.
10. QR Codes are extremely versatile
There are so many ways to use QR Codes to communicate with your customer base. The versatility of QR Codes means that you can get creative with how you use them.
For example, you can use QR Codes on product packaging, to promote local events, to get feedback from customers, or to boost your social media following. You can even create engraved QR Codes for permanent signage.
There are ways to implement them in almost any industry or scenario. There’s no limit to what you can do with QR Codes.
Explore the endless possibilities with Bitly QR Codes
They might have started as a niche solution, but QR Codes have now spread throughout numerous industries and work well for a wide variety of use cases. Incorporating QR Codes in your digital strategies can help you better connect with your audience, bridging the gap between online and offline experiences.
If you want to get started using QR Codes in your marketing, to give your customers more convenience, or just for personal uses, Bitly has all the tools you need. From fully customizable Dynamic QR Codes to insightful analytics, Bitly can help you make the most of everything QR Codes have to offer.
Explore Bitly QR Codes today and transform your digital marketing strategies!
