Have you wondered about those coded tags that are popping up in magazines, newspaper ads, vinyl cling stickers in store windows and business cards?
Just when I think I know what’s what with the Mobile codes, I find out more. For instance, when I was researching this article, I found that Wikipedia’s reference has 11 different types of codes. I’m most familiar with the colorful Microsoft Tag and the square QR Mobile Code. The QR (stands for Quick Response) Mobile Codes have lots of black and white little squares inside the larger square. The Microsoft Tags, called HCCB (High Capacity Color Barcodes) use up to 8 different colored triangles inside the square. There are some advantages to one type of tag over another, and it looks like the Microsoft Tag has the edge.
For a consumer, the advantage of a tag is that they are immediately transported to your website, video or a special coupon by taking a photo of the tag with their smart phone. For the marketer, depending on what type of tag you use, you can track the number of visitors. Just like email marketing is less expensive than postage marketing… having a tag is a much less expensive and more interactive way of distributing your message to your audience.
NeoMedia has posted several case studies of ways to use tags including a scavenger hunt for college students, movie tickets, invitations, and even ordering a pizza from Papa Johns.
We have a long way to go before our mobile marketing catches up to Japan.
How have you used mobile tags for marketing? Leave a comment below if you’ve had some success with it.
Related posts:
QR Readers and Tags: The Next Marketing Fad?
Marketing with Tags: QR Code Generators
