November 17, 2020
QR Codes hailed from 1994 when Masahiro Hara from the Japanese company Denso Wave invented them. They were a hit. You'd find them on anything that sat still long enough for a scan — packaging for medical devices, journal ads, trade show signage, and QR crop circles. But interest waned because consumers had to download a QR Reader app, then install it. With smartphone penetration at around 30%, it was just too hard to make it work. Great concept, bad user experience.
Fast forward to 2020, when 83% of us have smartphones and all the tech to read scans is built in. So, this is the best time ever to link that barcode on your head to your LinkedIn profile.
According to a ComScore Mobilens 2019 study, 11 million U.S. households will use QR Codes to bone-up on product information (51.5%), request event information (12.5%), and download mobile apps (8.6%). By 2022, the market for mobile payments will soar from $348 billion to 1.3 trillion dollars. Unlike in the early days, consumers know how to use QR codes, and they have the technology to access them.
QR Codes applications for medical marketing
The use of QR Codes knows no bounds. For healthcare marketers, they're a convenient next step in the customer's buying journey.
Send a text or email message.
QR Codes may also trigger an SMS text message as an opt-in registration and a request for support or product upgrades.Download apps
Extend the reach of your app by making it easier to download and install. The scan will take users to a web page that automatically downloads and installs the app.Augment your content
In addition to lead capture, QR Codes can amplify and further explain the static content in a print ad or brochure. A quick scan can effortlessly take a customer to more engaging content, like videos and interactive displays.E-commerce
Are you selling medical products, parts, or disposables online? A QR Code could make it easier for customers to order and reorder.Customer support
Say so-long to lengthy manuals and hello to QR codes. QR's can cut start-up time on medical equipment installation and learning curve by offering the most relevant and concise information when and where it's needed.- Like everything digital, testing is critical to ensure that your QR codes work with the medical devices used by your customers.
- If you're QR Code hinges on access to the Internet, check the environment, like a trade show, to make sure you've got the bars.
- The QR world is evolving with security features and additional memory capacity on embedded codes. Don't be afraid to dream up new uses.
- There are plenty of free QR Code generators, including those that embed into everyday applications like Microsoft Word®.
- Some free and paid QR codes are ideal for creating many QR codes bulk or whip-up a dynamic URL.