There are few things in marketing that get people as fired up as QR codes. It seems that most either love them or hate them, with few falling in between. Mashable reported last week that QR codes are “broken,” but just one day later, BtoB Magazine wrote that QR scanning is surging thanks to the growing popularity of mobile video content.
Here at Movéo, we’re not convinced that QR codes are dead. What we do believe is that more marketers need to start learning from bad QR code examples and emulating good ones. That’s why we’re sharing our three favorite examples of the good, the bad and the ugly in QR codes. Enjoy!
The Good
When scanned, these QR codes from FirstBank, which appeared on signs in the Denver airport, reveal free Soduku puzzles and crosswords for your phone. We couldn’t find a picture of them, but we’re even more fond of similar ads from Amazon’s Kindle that appear on CTA trains in Chicago and unlock free chapters to featured books when scanned.
What works:
- QR code provides something of value to scanner (word puzzles and free chapters are especially useful for stranded travelers and commuters)
- QR code offer ties in to brand (Amazon does a better job of this than FirstBank)
- QR codes are easily scannable
- Codes are placed in an environment where people will have time to scan
This QR code for an outdoor adventure company in the Rockies, is placed rather inconveniently on the back bumper of a car with no label or context.
What fails:
- If you’re driving a safe distance behind this car, there’s no way to see what the QR code is for, much less scan it
- Can you say dangerous?!
Thank you for the post, I found it very thorough. After the next five years, do you see a majority of countries embracing (costly) alternative energy, in spite of the developing economic landscape?