I think it was 8 or 9 months ago I was first introduced to the QR Code. I, like many seeing them for the first time, thought they were pretty nifty and was enamored by all the seemingly infinite possibilities. Now I find them pretty ordinary and at times annoying. I get frustrated by the people who see the codes as an opportunity to put anything they want behind them and don’t bother to actually use them effectively. I saw a business card that had a logo on one side and a QR Code on the opposite side. Why not just put the information on the card!? Now I have to pull out my smartphone, open the application, hold it still, if the lighting is right and it reads it, I will then have to open the website or information in my browser. What a hassle!
So many people are trying to drive people to their website via QR Codes, which is understandable as we all want more hits to our sites right? The problem I find, is that most times in order to access the information that is contained you HAVE to use your smartphone. I don’t know about anyone else but I really don’t like to view a site, mobilized or not, on my 3.5″ screen and again wonder why I couldn’t have just been given the information or URL to look up later? QR Codes should be used as a supplement to vital information, not as a replacement. The best way I have seen QR code used is in magazines where you will read an entire article and then at the end it says something like, to watch a video about this, scan the QR code. Or where you read something and it says to download a related app for your phone, scan the code. It’s like any other marketing strategy, it has to be used correctly.
The whole reason for this rant is because I have now seen the worst use of the QR Code ever. The other day I saw on the corner of Scottsdale Rd. and Shea Blvd. a building that had a giant QR code on the side of the building. Am I supposed to scan this driving by or when I’m stopped at the light 200 yds away? It doesn’t even say scan this for a deal or anything… just a big mystery code that you have to be in front of the building to scan.
As I was thinking more about it I thought, “I guess it got my attention at least so maybe it’s not a total waste,” then I scanned it from this picture and it’s a stupid Youtube video for a hair salon. So I stand corrected, TOTAL waste of time.
