Don't forget the printers!!!

So you think you have your QR Code all worked out. This QR code scans somewhat well on the Sweet'N Low sachet on the left though a little on the small side and missing a quiet zone. Nevertheless it does scan after a few seconds.

Size note:


However, the QR Code on the sachet on the left does not scan at all.  This is where it is very important to have the printers on board if you are serious about your QR Code Campaign. Additionally, there is no indication on these sachets what the QR Code will result in, for some it could be a just a product type code for the manufacturers. Luckily, it does bring you to a mobile optimised website.

Conclusion: Identify with your printers that the main space of you QR Code must not compromised otherwise it is useless to have this on your product.

What a diffence a page makes....

Algarve Airport Guide - QR Codes

On page 1 of this brochure there is a very dense QR Code. This does scan but brings you to a deadend link. Offering scheduled timetables with QR Codes can be done correctly when using a system that is managing the QR Codes for you. In this way, when you update the information the QR Code design remains the same. This should have been done in this case.
However, a lot of QR Codes are just added as an extra facility to users and unfortunately are not managed. The business must manage their QR Code as items such as Airport brochures are kept for referral at a later date. Schedules to change but your QR Code doesn't have to!

The next page (page 2) on the same brochure - has a QR Code that is in fact a method of downloading an app. The QR Code scans much faster and is notably less dense. See example below. It refers the user to click Android, Windows 8 or Apple IOS . In my case if is (of course) an Android which bring to the Play Store for the installation to commence. 

What a difference a page makes!!!

Apologies images aren't great quality

                            Page 1                                                                    Page 2

QR Codes mades simple by business!

I'm just loving Topaz 'Park & Play'....
They have QR Codes on coffee cups to direct users to their prize winning campaign Park & Play which is effectively a very good mobile app.

When you download the app on your phone it lets you access such things as your current loyalty points, specific offers for you and the nearest topaz station. A QR code is also accessed from the home page (see below) of the app that is scanned every time you make a purchase simply by pointing your phone (QR code) towards the cashiers scanner that is situated on the counter facing you.

Even if you don't have an internet connection this page will open up for you.

Like all good QR Code management, Topaz additionally supply customers with key tags  (see below) that also display the QR Code which are superfast when scanned at the store.

This is an example of good QR Code used by business. It's simple, fast and effective.
Hope to see more like this : )

2014 and still Irish QR Codes are directing to non-mobile optimised websites

2014 and still Irish QR Codes are directing to non-mobile optimised websites

This QR Code is bringing the user direct to a sales website that is not mobile optimised. What's the point? I'd love to see statistics (if any) that show a sale from this QR Code!

However, the QR Code is not dense and the scanner i'm using (i-nigma) scans this quickly. There are also no issues with the plastic material. The quiet zone (white area around the QR Code) is also nice and big.  I only scanned half this QR Code and it translated very well to its url.

To conclude my first re-introduction of 2014, let's hope the next codes i come across achieve fantastic results where the user will wholly benefit from its use.

Valentine's Day Card with a QR Code

Good idea, adding a more visual depth to you average Valentine's Day card.

After scanning this QR Code your are brought into a cute short animated video with hearts and a puppy.

If i had to say something a little critical and guess that's why i created a blog, is the QR Code is a little busy.
Marks & Spencer's in this case should maybe have used a link shortener and hence opens that little bit faster.

However, there has been some opinion that shortened URL's affect SEO?

"There are mixed opinions from SEO experts as to whether shortened URLs can actually harm an SEO campaign so here is what Google had to say about the issue.  Matt Cutts from Google has made a video post about the subject in which he states that shortened URLs are no different to any other form of 301 redirect and ask such no harm should be done to your site by using them.  In fact, he even goes as far to say that they receive the same amount of page rank value as normal URLs". Phew!!!

Last of my 2012 QR Codes- Hello 2013!!!

Dee’s Real Meals

Country of Origin: Ireland

This QR Code is a little small but it is still very effective with the necessary white space around the code which helps create scanning definition. This code scans well and has a really good outcome. There is a short registration form to fill in your details where special offers will be sent to you and you are part of a V.I.P Club. This could be looked at as a QR Code best practice.

Bavaria Beer
Country of Origin: Netherlands

This QR Code (Bavaria) even looks jaded in appearance. It is positioned on plastic packaging that envelopes beer cans. Due to this, the plastic covering stretches easily. This makes the QR Code distorted and almost impossible to scan. Additionally, this is a very dense code which also adds to the complexity of scanning it. In this case, it is a QR Code fail. It has also been observed however; that Bavaria has actually printed the QR Code on each individual cans inside this pack which now scans effectively. However, the scan result is not mobile optimised.


Overall in 2012, the scanning results from the Product Packagaing findings were very poor.

It is clear, that these problems can be easily overcome but there are lessons needed by the QR Code provider to ensure their QR Codes are effective and benefical. Otherwise, QR Codes may only result in poor user experiences and in turn lack of trust in the codes.

QR Codes : 2013

Ok, it's been a few months since i've reviewed QR Codes so i've so much to write about.

Over the next while, i'll review some more QR Codes on products and then let you know about exciting developments in QR Codes and what the future is looking like in 2013.



FIREMAGIC - QR CODE BY BORD NA Mona

This ‘Fire Magic’ QR Code by Bord Na Mona is a managed code by ScanBuy. However, when this code is scanned it says that “This code is currently inactive. Please try scanning other codes. ScanBuy give the opportunity to reinvent old QR Codes and change their outcomes, (even with the same code) so it is unusual and frustrating that this code does not scan. This is a QR Code fail.

Vit-Hit Drink - Country of Origin: IRELAND

This QR Code from Vit-Hit is a little small and at times slow to scan. The user is brought to a Facebook connection page where the ‘Like’ button is suggested.  This QR Code is encouraging the user to connect with them via social media. This outcome is common yet brings no real benefit to the consumer. In addition, the Facebook page (not in all cases) strays away from totally marketing their product with information not associated with the drink. 

Chef’s Cuisine

Country of Origin: Ireland

Though a little small in size, this QR Code from Chefs Cuisine scans well and fast as it is a short and direct link. However, the link just refers the user to their web address which is not mobile optimised. In short, this QR Code does not provide any great benefits to the user; in short this is a QR Code scan fail.

Next Post - One of my favourite QR Codes from last year.