QR codes for the Etsy Seller

A QR code (abbreviated from Quick Response code) is a specific matrix barcode (or two-dimensional code) designed to be interpreted by smart phones with camera and browser capabilities.

A QR code can be linked to a website, a text message, a virtual business card, a video, a phone number or an SMS message. In many ways, it is quicker, more accurate and more useful to you than a business card or other types of advertising.

Capturing a QR code is instantaneous. With a business card, you have wait for someone to 1) remember that they have your card, 2) decide to connect with you, 3) get to a browser, 4) type in your web address accurately.

You can encode more than just your website address in a QR code. You can create several codes, each with a different piece of tracking information attached. Use this tracking information with your website analytics to evaluate what your best advertising medium is.

QR codes are showing up in more and more places. They're commonplace in Japan as a way of connecting people with a rich variety of content.

First, make sure that you have a great payoff for anyone who scans your QR code. Link your code to your online catalog or store, sure. But also consider linking to video, audio, free tutorials, downloadable art, and printables like calendars.

Next, consider how you can use your QR code as a part of your overall marketing.

• Branding -- Modify your QR code to include your logo, or embed your QR code in your logo.
  
• Advertising -- Include your QR code in all of your advertisements.
  
• Tracking Campaigns -- add information to your QR URL so that you can evaluate the effectiveness of your advertising campaigns.
  

Click here for more great ideas

Here are a few tricks that will help you get even more out of your QR Code.

1. Embed tracking data in them for your analytics. By adding a few codes to your website URL, you can collect extra information from every visitor who scans your QR code. You can add codes to let you know what magazine they saw your ad in, or whether they read your code off of one of your business cards.

2. Short URLs make simpler codes. Have you noticed that some QR codes have a lot more dots on them than others? They're larger too. If you want to embed a lot of information in your QR code without adding a lot of density and complexity, use an URL shortener, like bit.ly to abbreviate your web address before you make your code.

3. Codes can be prettied up. It turns out that some of the parts of the QR are more important than other parts. And also, there is redundant information in the code so that even if part of the code is scratched up or smudged, it can still be read. You can obstruct up to 30% of the data in the code and it will still be readable.

Click here for a gallery of some very pretty QR codes.

To get the most out of your QR code, use the sites recommended above and follow these steps.

1. Decide what information you want to deliver with your QR code. Make it awesome. People are clicking your QR code on faith. Don't let them down.

2. Decide where you will use your QR code. Create some customized URLs with tracking information on them for each place you use your code.

3. Use a URL shortener to minimize the information embedded in the QR code.

4. Generate your code using one of the free QR code generators.

5. Edit your code so that it includes your logo, looks compelling, and conveys your brand well.

6. Put your code on your packages, on your advertisements, on your product, on your walls, on your business card, and on yourself.

7. Don't do these things.