Socially Speaking: QR Codes

By Ryan J. Holdridge, technical communicator, pcAmerica

When it comes to QR codes, it’s “an idea whose time has come.” QR codes are currently the best way to provide both large and small amounts of information to your customers. QR codes are square barcodes which can be scanned by your customers to access websites, ads and contact information, as well as links geared towards your social media outlets.

QR codes bridge the gap between your business and social media outlets, such as Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare, in a number of ways. A business owner can post QR codes to follow them on Twitter or “like” them on  Facebook and/or Google+. When shopping at your business, it is also possible to have something posted on their wall about shopping at your store. For example: ‘John Doe just shopped at ABC convenience store!’ A restaurant owner could provide a QR code which would require a customer to like them on Facebook in return for a YouTube link featuring the preparation instructions of a signature dish on the menu. A Foursquare link can be given to your customers and they can be rewarded for being the most frequent customer in the establishment (the Mayor) with a gift or free product in your store.