You may have seen these funny-looking square boxes around town and wondered what they are.  Some of you have likely used your smart phone to read the code and see what happens.  Most of you have no idea what these are and what they are for – YET!

If you read my wife’s previous post you know we just returned from NYC and saw these all around town.  From the oldest pub in NYC (maybe America) to the front page of the NY Times to the menus of tiny restaurants and stores to a giant billboard in Times Square, QR codes were popping up everywhere.  And it was way fun to read them all and see the ‘hidden’ message.

But, of course, these are not about hidden messages.  A QR code (Quick Response Code) is simply a fast and mobile way to get to you to a designated spot.  They can take you to cool websites, cool videos (like the one above), voice files, or email address.  They also can be used to take you to a phone number, text message, SMS code and more.
For example, you’re walking along a street and see a cool billboard for something that interests you.  How do you remember it later?  Do you take a picture, write down the website (with paper and pen none of us seem to carry anymore), call to leave yourself a voice mail, text yourself or really just hope that you remember later.  With your smart phone (we all have one of those now right?) you read the QR code and go back to it later when you need it.  Simple as that.

This is just one example of how QR codes can be used in business.  I believe they have tons (scientific term there) of valuable uses and will continue to grow in usage around the country.  We at Basati created the one above as the back side of our expanded business card.  Now, we might leave you a card (with all the normal details on it) but you want more info quickly.  Scan with your phone and see an intro video about us.
AND, the coolest thing to me is that they can be modified with colors and logos and more.  Notice ours isn’t just a bland and boring black box.  We have color, we have logos inside and out.  It grabs your attention more – and looks a lot better too don’t you think.

If you want to know more about QR codes and how your business might benefit from incorporating them into your overall marketing/branding strategy give us a buzz at Basati.  We’d love to connect and see how we can help you grow your business.