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!

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.“

iPhone Continues To Be Apple’s Meal Ticket!

This comes as no surprise really. I’m all for smart phones gaining in popularity, since it will only help bloggers and internet marketers/entrepreneurs. It just all comes down to the fact that people with smart phones use the Internet more often than those that don’t. This means we have many more opportunities to reach new people and draw them into our site. It’s simply a numbers game.

I’ll be honest, Apple iPhones are my least favorite when it comes to smart phones. I just don’t trust Apple to make the right decision when it comes to Net Neutrality.

WebProNews Reports:

“Apple released its second-quarter financial results today. This includes a record March quarter driving 83% revenue growth, and 95% profit growth.

Second quarter revenue came to $24.67 billion with profit at $5.99 billion ($6.40 per diluted share). For the same period last year, the company reported 13.50 billion revenue and $3.07 billion profit.

The company also recorded year-over-year iPhone sales growth of 113%, having sold 18.65 million iPhones in the quarter. In addition, the company sold 3.76 million Macs (28% YoY growth), 9.02 million iPods (a 17% YoY decline), and 4.69 million iPads during the quarter.

“With quarterly revenue growth of 83 percent and profit growth of 95 percent, we’re firing on all cylinders,” said CEO Steve Jobs. “We will continue to innovate on all fronts throughout the remainder of the year.”

CFO Peter Oppenheimer added, “We are extremely pleased with our record March quarter revenue and earnings and cash flow from operations of over $6.2 billion. Looking ahead to the third fiscal quarter of 2011, we expect revenue of about $23 billion and we expect diluted earnings per share of about $5.03.”

iPhone sales estimates had been all over the board, but clearly they’re doing well, based on this earnings report. Analysts expected the iPad to be doing a little better, but it looks like Apple will survive. iPod decline isn’t entirely shocking…”

Continue @ WebProNews