So I wanted to test out whether of not folks actually use QR codes. Is it just a fad that Marketing Professionals are using to get us to take a second look because it is something new. Not because we actually use it.
We had a booth at a local networking event. There were at least 1000 people in attendance. We had a contest to see how fast a person could scan a QR code. The fastest scan every hour received a $5 gift card to Starbucks.
To start I asked every person.” Have you ever scanned a QR code.” ” A what ? ” So I point at the sign. ” Oh yeah I did that once”. So I explain the contest. Now the real test would have been to time them on how long it took them to find the app and remember how to use it. However we only timed the amount of time it took them to open the app after they figured out what they were doing and I walked them through how to scan it.
So they would pick up the phone. Open the app. Scan the code. Then wait for the browser to find the website. Generally on the first try it took folks close to 45 seconds. After a few tries they could get it down to 15 – 20 seconds.
The problem with this is that I had to talk most of the people in to it. I had to pump them up. %50 had never scanned a QR code the other half with the exception of one guy did not scan regularly. That guy sold QR codes… So are they practical? Do people use them? I don’t know. I don’t really think they do . However I was able to use the QR code to keep people at my booth 5 times longer than most. It is new. Unfamiliar. Interesting. Practical? I’m not so sure.
So if you plan to use QR codes in a Marketing Campaign. What should you know? Click here for some QR code tips on how to make it easy to scan.