6 ways to use QR codes in your small business

With one little bleep of the smart phone,  your customers can access just about any information you encode with a URL address. Just Google "QR code generator" to find a program (free works fine) to convert your specific information.  Look for a QR Code Scanner app in your smartphone app store.

Remember that the use of QR codes is still pretty new in Northwest Arkansas. Be prepared to help your customers understand how QR codes – and the apps that scan them – are used, how to download apps and how to use them.  Here are our top six.

1. Business cards.  That little square of squiggles can lead a new contact to your information, website, business Facebook Page, Twitter page, or even your resume.  Besides, it looks cool.

2. Marketing materials.  Forget paper and ink, upload your media kit, brochures, handouts, newsletters and coupons to your website and generate a QR code to reach them. Be sure to make the landing page a special place to arrive.

3.  How-to videos and product shots. Showing customers how to use your product is one way to sell it. You can develop a QR for photos, videos, or mobile-friendly landing pages.

4. Brick and mortar signage.  Everything from chamber memberships to Foursquare  check-ins, special sales to websites can be click-and-go ready.

5. Promotions and freebies.  If you really want people to pay attention to your QR codes, make them fun.  Instant savings or loyalty reward programs, prizes, contests, and  store-wide geo-caching are that much more fun with a QR code start. greenZine magazine, a digital magazine dedicated to green and sustainable Arkansas used QR code label buttons to launch a monthly scavenger hunt for a special event.

6. Web, blogs and social media. Launching a social media campaign, a new website or a blog? A QR code can direct traffic right to the landing page.