How Do QR Code works And Common Mistakes To Avoid When Using It 

The term "QR code" stands for quick response code. A smartphone or laser is used to scan a square-shaped black-and-white sign to get more information about a product or service. These encrypted squares can be used to hold content, links, deals, event information, and other desirable pieces of data.

Not all QR codes are perfectly square, sometimes they occasionally have distinguishing patterns, colors, and branding that can be seen inside. In non-digital locations like direct mail, signage, billboards, and even TV shows, you can find them and use your phone to scan the code on the screen.

What Are QR Codes?

Tiny black-and-white pixel patterns make up the square-shaped QR codes. QR codes are similar to barcodes in that they can store data other than information on products, but they have a larger variety of uses.

The collection of tiny black and white squares indicates distinct pieces of information that are otherwise incomprehensible to humans without scanning the code.

How Do QR Codes Work?

QR codes are one of the most cutting-edge audience engagement tools currently accessible. They have enabled businesses to immediately communicate information to people. During the COVID-19 pandemic, using QR codes as a method for contract tracing was also quite effective and beneficial. And how exactly do QR codes work?

Similar to barcodes, QR codes work. Unlike barcodes, which are frequently scanned with price scanners, QR codes are scanned using the camera on a smartphone. You will then see the data from the QR code displayed on a web page for you in a human-readable format.

How do QR codes work on payments ?

At first appearance, you might suppose that barcode scanners can read QR codes. Despite their numerous similarities, QR codes have one key difference: they can be read on both paper and screens.

Because of its versatility, the QR code is particularly useful to use on a range of surfaces in addition to a phone screen. Pomelo Pay allows business owners to take payments using just their phone.

To scan a QR code, all you need is a smartphone or other mobile device that supports the technology. Anyone can scan QR codes because practically all recent smartphones have a scanner for them integrated into their cameras.

When a QR code is scanned, a notification with a link is displayed. The user can access the website, online menu, or other area that the QR code is supposed to take them to by simply clicking the link.

When using QR code payments, the same thing happens and the user is taken to a secure payment screen. In addition to Apple Pay, Google Pay, and more than 25 other payment methods are also available on this screen through Pomelo Pay.

If they utilize a payment service that accepts QR code payments, anyone can accept payments using just their smartphone. To put it simply, QR codes decentralize card transactions. No longer are monthly fees, contracts, or separate hardware purchases required for your business. A smartphone is all you need to start accepting payments.

How to scan a QR code on an Android device

The built-in camera app on most Android handsets allows you to scan QR codes.

•  Start your Android device's camera app.

• Make sure the QR code is in focus on your camera. If the code is easy to scan, the URL will appear at the bottom of the frame. Tap it to get to that URL.

How to scan a QR code on an Iphone device

• Open the camera app on your iPhone or iPad.
• Hold the camera steady so that the QR code is visible.
• Your gadget will recognize the code and notify you when it does.
• Tap the notice to learn where your QR code is located.

Five Mistakes you should avoid when using QR codes

1. Considering QR codes as a lone tool.

Don't reduce QR codes' potential in this way. They can be used for so much more, even though I've only ever seen them used to direct customers to websites or YouTube videos.

A few examples include providing unique discounts and promotions, sending SMS messages, making phone calls, buying things, participating in surveys, obtaining contact information, and posting messages on Facebook or Twitter.

2. Offering clients scannable QR codes with little to no incentive

However, when it comes to QR code copy, substance is just as significant as aesthetics. Remember that the copy should describe the "why" and "how" of QR codes as well. Why should people stop in their steps and whip out their iPhones in a bustling place like Singapore? How would you explain QR codes to customers who aren't familiar with them?

Instead of just giving them the dull URL to your website, think about how QR codes could aid with online conversions, your bottom line, or brand education (like Starbucks did). Your copy ought to reflect this.

In underdeveloped countries where consumers are less familiar with utilizing QR codes, you might suggest directing them to a QR code reader like RedLaser, which can also read barcodes, or Google Goggles, which can even read books, buildings, and other stuff. The "Scan the ShopSaavy" artwork from ShopSaavy can be positioned on your products' packaging.

3. Insufficiently emphasizing your QR codes

Frequently, a QR code must perform better than a multitude of other elements of an outdoor campaign. Whether or not you decide to make QR codes the primary focus of your advertisement, you can still employ basic design principles to make it stand out.

First, check that there is enough space around your QR code to make it stand out because too many images may turn away customers. Second, check that your QR code is big enough. The Five Times Rule suggests that "the distance that the user will be scanning should be roughly Five Times the size of the code," according to the Mobile Marketing Association. Test it out to identify the ideal QR code size to employ and how far away from the marketing materials the consumer will be.

4. Limiting customer behavior in nations with low smartphone penetration to QR code usage

QR codes are useless if your target market has a low mobile phone penetration rate. In such cases, make sure to put information on your outdoor marketing materials, such as phone numbers, website addresses, or email addresses. Don't immediately rule out the usage of QR codes in countries with low smartphone penetration because so many feature phones now have QR code readers. Find out more about the feature phones used in these countries, including whether or not QR code readers are included or added by a third party, by conducting some research.

5. Using QR codes without any analytics

The main advantage of digital marketing is that it allows companies to track the performance of a campaign. Outdoor advertisements now have access to this capability thanks to QR codes, which elevates them to the status of useful tools.

A QR code reader, generator, and analytics tool are all included in one bundle with a free online app from the Singapore-based company QropIt (see our product feature). Despite being a pay-per-use service, BeeTagg is a comparable replacement. Tagloop, a freemium company based in Singapore, combines analytics with NFC and QR code solutions. The post below describes how to track QR codes with Google Analytics if you commonly use them.