Why QR Codes Aren’t So Hot Yet

This shows that yes, QR codes have yet to really take off here in the states, but I still feel it is a little to early to know for sure if they ever will. Reports like these keep writing about how most people struggle with the whole process of scanning a QR code, but my experience has shown otherwise. Not only have I never had problems scanning QR codes, but some of my technically challenged clients have easily figured out how to scan a QR codes without any assistance on my end.

CNN reports:

“.. evidence suggests many people don’t understand what QR codes are or what to do with them.

You might think that if anyone would know how to use a QR code, it would be college students — a demographic that is immersed in technology and bombarded by marketing. But a recent study found that nearly eight in 10 college students had no idea what to do with a QR code.

Archrival, a research group that focuses on youth marketing, surveyed 500 students at 24 colleges and universities across the United States. They found that although about 80% of students owned a smartphone and had previously seen a QR code, only about 20% were able to successfully scan the example QR code they were shown.

Furthermore, about 75% said they were unlikely to scan a QR code in the future.

‘Why the discrepancy?’ wrote Don Aguirre, brand manager at Archrival. ‘Students simply struggled with the process. Some didn’t know a third-party app was needed [to scan the QR code]. Many mistakenly assumed it could be activated with… ” [Read more]

Have you had any troubles scanning QR codes personally? Leave a comment and let us know!

Is Your Website Mobile Friendly?

With smartphones now taking over, it’s important to make sure your website is mobile friendly. If it’s not, then you’re frustrating your visitors and they’re most likely never to come back to your site or blog. I remember reading somewhere that 80% of your mobile traffic is leaving within’ 2 minutes of landing on your website if it is not mobile ready. This is because it is really hard to navigate a normal site on a mobile device, and find the information you’re looking for. It only makes sense really.

Contact us today and we’ll set-up your mobile website ASAP!

Check out our mobile site by scanning this QR code!

3 Ways To Implement QR Codes In Your Business

Even if you believe that QR codes are going to soon be forgotten, why not test them out in your business first and let the results speak for themselves. They’re so cheap and simple to implement that you really have no reason not to play around with them. I’m personally going to put one on the back of my business card next time I print some more.

Rebekah Henson from Aweber shares 3 ways you can implement QR codes into your business:

“QR codes are powerful little marketing tools. These 2D barcodes bridge the gap between the real world and mobile Internet, allowing customers to interact with your content in new ways.

We showed you how to build your email list offline with QR codes that link to your web form. Here are some best practices to keep in mind, along with some other ways that QR codes can supplement your email marketing.

Best Practice #1: Use For Offline Marketing

QR codes boil down to ease of use.

Through the magic of QR codes, consumers can interact with your brand in unexpected places. Mobile web means they can explore your content away from their home computer.

That’s why QR codes make the most sense in print – on billboards, stickers, fliers, signs, business cards, in magazines, anywhere people might see them on the go. The point is to drive them to your mobile site to make a purchase, join your mailing list, download a coupon, find out more about your business or something else that makes their…” [Read More]

Mobile Email vs. SMS-based Mobile Marketing

Now that smartphones outnumber desktop computers, and text messages outnumber phone calls and emails, it’s crucial that you’re utilizing the proper SMS marketing technologies to stay top of mind with your prospects and customers.

I’m not advocating that we stop marketing via email since it is still an effective communication tool. I’m advocating that you incorporate SMS text message marketing into the fold because 95% of text messages are read within’ the first 15 minutes. Whereas with email you’re lucky to get a 20-30% open rate.

Anant Tailor writes:

“I was recently asked by one of our readers for my thoughts about the ongoing innovation and adoption of Mobile Email and its impact on businesses that work exclusively with SMS-based Mobile Marketing.

In my opinion, I don’t think that Mobile Email will have any significant impact on the growth of SMS-based Mobile Marketing. Instead, I think that SMS will prevail as an interactive marketing channel. Although mobile access to email is a growing trend, email is still an overwhelming medium. People are flooded with irrelevant emails and spam, and as such have become de-sensitized to this channel. Text-based marketing has advantages for the following reasons:

1) Text Messaging has more immediacy with mobile phone users than email, since emails are generally reviewed in batches, whereas SMS messages tend to be viewed as they arrive. Marketing messages received via email are almost immediately classified by the user as spam or junk, and users don’t generally look at each email as it arrives. Instead, they will read their emails in batches when they have some time. If the opportune moment for a message has passed, the message is no longer relevant.

2) There is a limit on the length of a text message – a limitation that tends to serve as an advantage. This limit allows mobile users to consume the message more quickly. We’ve learned that the attention span of users is getting smaller – they want ‘snacks’ vs. ‘meals’ when it comes to information (the same
reason that Twitter has gained so much popularity)

3) There are stricter guidelines that govern the distribution of SMS messages to consumers, and although they are merely guidelines, the Mobile Operators tend to enforce them. Therefore, mobile users can opt out of messages they don’t want to receive (thus filtering out unwanted messages more effectively). Opting out of emails can be more difficult and doesn’t always work – hence the success of Junk Mail filters.

4) The ability to have a quick dialog with a consumer – again, due to the short messaging nature, and the immediacy of an SMS, it’s easier to reach the consumer at the right moment and to have a quick dialog that is relevant and beneficial to both the consumer and the retailer.“

How To Retain More Of Your New Group Coupon Customers

It seems like everybody has heard of Groupon. It’s a win/win for the small business owner and the consumer. The small business owner gets a flood of customers to beat a path to his/her door, and the consumer. Whether or not it’s a win for the Groupon stock holder is another story.

One gripe I do hear from the small business owners is that the customers who come in to redeem their coupon in many cases never come back. This is especially the case in larger cities where there are more businesses to pick from in general. For this reason it is crucial for business owners to try and capture or retain some of these new customers to increase the likelihood of them returning to their place of business.

What is the best way to do this?

The best way is to create another special offer that your customer can take action on while they are in your place of business redeeming their coupon. This special offer should be given in exchange for the customers contact details. Here I’ll give you an example:

A customer comes into a Salon to redeem a “50% off Salon Services” coupon. While they are there they notice the Salon has a monthly contest to win a FREE facial and to enter the contest all they have to do is text the word “freefacial” to 83020. Now they are in the Salon’s text message database for future communications via text message. This is the best way to keep in touch with your customers because 95% of text messages are open within’ the first 15 minutes.

Using our special Text Message Marketing System, you’re able to manage your database of customers and blast messages to your entire list very easily. Which makes it the #1 marketing tool for small, local businesses.

Contact us today to start using our Text Message Marketing System!