The traditional barcode is amazing. A simple swipe at the till, and the price information automatically appears. Those familiar sets of lines, first used almost 50 years ago, have become increasingly convenient, making it easy to buy things, check IDs and pay your bills. 

But QR codes are the next level of the barcode – and they’re a very potent way to market your business, brand, or even yourself. You’ve likely noticed these odd-looking blocks filled with black and white squares that look a lot like abstract art. QR codes offer a more sophisticated level of sharing information with people. They’re incredibly popular in Asia and becoming more so across the rest of the world.  

Since practically every modern smartphone can scan a QR code, is it time for you to start using them and can they help your business? Perhaps – let's find out more about this technology and how you can create your own QR codes. 

The “better” barcode 

QR codes are the next evolution of barcodes. The QR stands for “quick response”, invented by Japanese technologists in the 1990s who wanted a barcode that offered much more information.  

This is precisely what they achieved. A QR code provides a flexible way to share a web link, contact details or information such as text or numbers. Rather than type out a web address, you can just use your phone camera to scan the code: both Apple and Android devices can do this natively (in Android, use the camera’s Lens setting).  

You can print a QR code on a business card, place it in your CV, onto a poster or banner – even as a sticker. QR codes can be large or small. You can customise them in different colours and display your logo inside them. 

Here are several popular uses for QR codes: 

• Business cards – scan a QR code to immediately import contact information into an address book. 

• Social media profiles – direct links to social media profiles and online stores. 

• Direct information – provide chunks of information as text, e.g., for museum tours. 

• Easy payments – make it simple for people to scan and pay. 

• Marketing branding – give interested people access to your company website.  

• Access badges – add codes to employee badges or event tickets for easy scanning. 

• Wi-Fi access – make guest access to Wi-Fi easy; all you need to do is scan a QR code. 

• Product information – send people directly to online PDFs, such as brochures or technical documents. 

• WhatsApp – help people to add your profile to WhatsApp using just their phone camera.   

As you can see, a QR code provides many options to share information. So, how do you create them? 

How to make QR codes 

It’s quite easy to make a QR code. In most cases, you can use an online service that provides templates for different types of codes.  

• WhatsApp: Share your WhatsApp contact details easily – under settings, next to your account name, you'll see a tiny QR code. Tap on it to get the larger code that someone can scan using their WhatsApp. 

• Payment codes: Make payments easy with services such as SnapScan and Zapper. Several banking apps also now support QR codes – Capitec uses QR codes for easy payments, and Nedbank will process QR codes from other providers.   

• QR Code Generator: This website offers a huge variety of QR code types, colour and logo options, and templates for landing pages. Costs from R100 per month, and it offers a free trial.

• BeaconStac: A QR site for power users, with tons of features – especially useful for marketing teams and creating usage reports. It costs R130 per month and you get a free trial.

• QR Code Monkey: This free but feature-packed service is the perfect place to test different QR codes.  

• Adobe QR Generator: A free basic service powered by Adobe, the company behind Photoshop.  

• Canva QR Codes: Like the Adobe option, Canva’s QR code generator is basic but free and is a good place to experiment if you’re a newbie.

• For a comprehensive review of QR code services, read this excellent Medium post. 

Once you understand their potential, QR codes become very useful. This doesn’t mean you have to use a QR code, but unless you check them out, do you know what you’re missing? Create a few QR codes using one of the free sites and explore the possibilities for your business, event, or personal brand.

If you like them, why not upgrade your phone to one with a built-in QR code reader? Any smartphone with Android 9 or iOS 11 and up will have one built in. Check out these Vodacom deals for a suitable device.

More Ways To Boost Your Business With Vodacom

If you think QR codes are good for your business, check out the Vodacom Business catalogue for deals on devices like smartphones and laptops as well as added value in the form of a printer, tablet and more.