This is a presentation that was given at the OnDemand 2012 conference. It is based on the research that VIGC had done in this field. Please feel free to contact VIGC for more information or to purchase the in depth report from VIGC and InfoTrends!

1. QR Code Best Practices
Eddy Hagen
VIGC
eddy.hagen@vigc.be
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2. 2dimensional codes
• 1D vs 2D
− Higher density of information
• QR-codes just one example of 2D codes
− But the most common in usage
• The Perfect Storm:
− Growing number of smart phones with integrated cameras
− Growing mobile internet
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3. Overview 2D Barcodes
QR Code Aztec Data matrix MaxiCode
MS Tag
Beetagg SnapTag Shotcode
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4. Anatomy of QR code
1 square = module
Must be at least
4 modules!
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5. Anatomy of QR code: Versions
Image: Wikipedia
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6. Anatomy of QR code: Redundancy/Error Correction
QR Code Error Correction Capability
Level L Approx.7%
Level M Approx. 15%
Level Q Approx. 25%
Level H Approx. 30%
Image: Wikipedia
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7. What is that ugly thing?
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8. What is that ugly thing?
Any idea what this is, what you can
use this for?
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9. What is that ugly thing?
Huge QR code…
But no information what it is, what it
is used for, what people should do
with it…
Not everybody knows what that is!
So provide information on the usage!
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10. What is that ugly thing?
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11. What is that ugly thing?
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12. Size does matter!
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13. Size does matter!
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14. Size does matter!
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15. Size does matter!
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16. Size does matter!
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17. Size does matter!
And so does print quality…
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18. It’s the content, stupid!
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19. It’s the content, stupid!
• QR codes used in job offerings, for the city of Ghent
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20. It’s the content, stupid!
• Really good example:
real estate
• Provides instructions
• Personalised QR codes
which link to
personalised mobile
pages
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21. It’s the content, stupid!
• Really good example:
GraphExpo ad
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22. There is a time and place
for everything
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26. There is a time and place for everything
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27. Use with caution…
(creativity)
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28. Use with caution… (creativity)
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29. Use with caution… (creativity)
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30. Use with caution… (creativity)
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31. Use with caution: do these still look like a QR code?
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32. Use with caution: do these still look like a QR code?
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33. Use with caution: do these still look like a QR code?
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34. Use with caution: do these still look like a QR code?
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35. Tips & Tricks
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36. Tips & Tricks
• Don’t include too much information
− Use URL shorteners!
• Don’t print them too small
− Module size best 0.7mm or bigger
• Only print them in one color
− Registration errors can make them unreadable
• Beware where the QR codes are being placed
− Users must be able to scan them
− E.g. not on moving objects
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37. Tips & Tricks
• Tell people what to do
− “Scan this with a QR code reader”
− “Scan this with Quickmark”
• Look at the complete experience
− Link to something usefull
− Use mobile websites
• Test! Test! Test!
− Not only with your brand new smart phone…
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38. Tips & Tricks
• Buy the InfoTrends/VIGC in depth guide on QR codes!
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39. PS: The devil is in the details
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41. The devil is in the details…
• QR codes on a moving object are not really a good idea…
• But: really nice website!
• Just one details is wrong: last pages don’t work on my
Windows Phone
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