What is A QR Code?

What is A QR Code?

The Problem:
Microenterprises are facing problems related to marketing through technology. Marketing is usually a costly business activity; however, there are free and cost effective technologies that are available to everyone. One recent technology that can improve marketing and business awareness is called a QR code.

What Is A QR Code?
QR codes, also known as quick response codes, look similar to a barcode that can be found on nearly any retail product. However, a QR code is square and has a unique pattern of black and white pixels. This recent technology allows customers to use their cell phones to go to a businesss website. Customers with a Smartphone can take a picture, using a free QR code reader, of any QR code and a webpage instantly appears on their screen. A business can direct customer to their website, Facebook group, Twitter page, LinkedIn profile, or Google+ group. There are several marketing placements for QR codes, the following are some examples: On a companys business card On a print advertisement, such as a newspaper ad Flyers Posters Menus (if restaurant) T-Shirts Magnets Shipping labels

The Available Options

There are several free and paid QR code generators and trackers on the Internet. Free generators and trackers usually limit users on how many QR codes an account can create and have limited tracking capabilities. These capabilities include being able to see the number of visitors who scanned a QR code, opposed to paid software which also provides time of day, the device that read a QR code (such as an iPhone), and location of that device. Ranging from free to paid, website to software, and simple to complex, here are eleven useful QR code generators and trackers that can meet the needs of a business.

Type 1: Completely Free Generator and Tracker Websites 1. MyQR.co o MyQR.co is a completely free QR code generator and tracker. Users can make a QR code without registering to the site. However, registration is necessary in order to track any QR codes. 2. freeQrCodeTracker o freeqrcodetracker.com provides a free QR creation and tracking. This site has detailed tracking capabilities as well as the ability to create reports. Users must register to the website before being able to use any of the functionalities. 3. SNAP.vu o Snap.vu is a free QR generator and tracker that requires users to submit their email or sign-up to their website to use. They provide a help page of frequently asked questions as well as a contact page and phone number (UK phone number). 4. Delivr o Delivr.com allows any user to easily make a QR code that can be shared over Facebook or twitter for free. No registration is needed. However, if a user registers to the website, they will receive free analytic reports as well as tracking (GPS tracking of codes and NFC tag tracking). Type 2: Free Trial/Paid Generator and Tracker Websites 5. beQRious Tracker o The beQRious Tracking is available at qrcodetracking.com. This website requires users to make a free account and then allows for multiple upgrades by paying a small fee per month. Free members can make a limited number of QR codes and will receive free analytical reports. Paid members can create more QR codes, save QR codes in different file formats (.JPG,.PDF,PNG) , and will have access to a mass QR code generator. 6. Kaywa QR Code o qrcode.kaywa.com provides users with the ability to make free QR codes without any website signup. For additional features, users can choose a monthly plan that allows tracking, campaign tracking, and the capability to make QR codes with a businesss logo on it. 7. QRstuff.com o QRstuff.com provides users with a variety of options. Users can create QR codes free without a user account, users can make an account for free and gain access to basic tracking capabilities, or users can sign up for a monthly plan that allows high resolution QR codes, unlimited QR code creation, further analytical tracking, and the ability to put passwords on a QR code link.

Type 3: Free Downloadable Software (for a computer) 8. Quantum QR Generator o Quantum QR Generator provides free software to users at techiediy.com/freeqr-code-generator-download-page. This software is for a computer running Windows Xp, Vista, or Windows 7. It allows QR code creation without an Internet connection and can be used for offline demos. 9. XRen QRCODE 2.10 o XRens free software, available at http://xren-qrcode.en.softonic.com, allows users to create, save, and print QR codes without Internet connection. This program has various languages to choose from so diverse people can easily use XREN 2.10. Type 4: Free Downloadable Apps (for a smartphone/tablet) 10. QR Droid o QR Droid is a free app for any Android device (smartphone or tablet). This app allows users to create, share, and scan QR codes. A unique history feature allows users to see when they created or scanned a specific QR code. 11. QR Reader for iPhone By TapMedia Ltd o QR Reader for iPhone is a free Apple product app that allows user to scan, share, and create QR codes. This app also provides a variety of sharing option over social media websites, such as Facebook, twitter, and email.

Comparing and Contrasting The Options

Type 1: Completely Free Generator and Tracker Websites MyQR.co has several strengths and weaknesses for microenterprise use. First, users can generate QR codes for free and can change the color of the foreground and background of the QR code. This is a benefit because traditional QR codes are only black and white and this website can make a businesss code stand out from others. Also, MyQR offers other style of QR codes. They offer codes for websites, messages, maps and contact cards. A message code is a QR that displays a text message opposed to bringing a user to a website. A contact card will display a persons contact information, similar to a business card. When registering for the website, a user simply needs their email, a username, and a password. Upon registering, tracking functionalities become available. Users can see the number of visitors a particular QR code attracted and can see the location where the QR code was scanned. A weakness of this site includes the way a user downloads their code. When generating a QR code, a user can only download it as a .PNG file. Other vendors offer variety of download types such as .PDF, .JPG, or .GIF. Another weakness is that a user cannot edit or delete a QR code that has been made. If they make an error, they must re-create the QR code.

FreeQrCodeTracker offers users several generating and tracking capabilities. A positive of this website is that it allows users to set up a campaign for QR codes that relates to a certain business event. Also, users can select the size of the QR code they want. The options are 100px, 300px, 1000px, and 3000px. The site also has several 60-second tutorials about using their website. One downside of the website is their limited tracking capabilities. Users can only view the number of visitors per QR code. Users can sort this by month, but the limited information it provides makes it less desirable if analytics is something a business wants to focus on. FreeQrCodeTracker also has limited QR code types; they provide website and email QR types. An email QR code directs a user to send a message to a specific email. A final weakness for the website is that all users must register. Without registering, users cannot make QR codes or even view the other functionalities the website has to offer. The main website page has a video describing QR codes and a space to register for the website. Once registered, the website becomes a bit overwhelming with links and options users can select. SNAP.vu refers to QR codes as a snapcode. Users can freely generate snapcodes with the same types available like MyQR.co (website, message, and contact QR types). A benefit of SNAP.vu is that users can save their snapcode as a .JPG, .PNG, or .PDF file. This gives users more flexibility on how to save their code. Also, users can delete and edit existing codes they have created. Additionally, SNAP.vu has an option to email a user whenever someone scans a snapcode. This allows users to know that customers are using their codes without signing into the website. Finally, SNAP.vu has the ability to track the number of scans a snapcode has as well as tracking the date and browser that the customer uses. The weakness is that there is no way to sort out tracking; SNAP.vu provides a simple list every time a scan is made which may cause a user to scroll down the screen if they are searching for a particular snapcode. Another weakness is that they refer to a snapcodes made by a shortened URL instead of the snapcodes name. In other words, if a user has a QR code named code for flyer, they cannot search for that code by name, but rather a random URL name that is provided. An example is that code for flyer may be given the URL kvjh. Therefore, whenever referring to code for flyer a user must select kvjh to access tracking. Delivr offers QR codes in the form of websites, YouTube videos, text message, or Google map. Users can freely generate these types of QR codes and instantly has the option to share their code on Facebook or twitter. This is a major benefit. Users do not need to save their image as a separate file to share them on a social media site, Delivr takes care of that. Also, if users want to save their QR code, they can. Saving options include .JPG, .PNG, .EPS, and .SVG. A unique benefit of Delivr is that they also offer NFC (near field communication) tags. This allows producers to place the NFC tag code on a product and can scan that product with any NFC reader. Microenterprises may not use this function but it is a nice feature to look into. Another benefit is the tracking options. Delivr offers tracking options such as number of QR scans and NFC taps, percentage of customers who view a users website on a mobile device vs. desktop, and provides which hour during the day is most popular for a certain QR code. If

analytics are very important to a business, this website will provide the most information opposed to the other free QR code tracking websites. A weakness is that Delivr does not provide a contact QR type. This type is popular among businesses because a contact QR code is essentially an electronic business card. Another weakness is that since Delivr offers various tracking capabilities, it may be a bit difficult to navigate for users who are unfamiliar with complex websites. A basic overview of benefits and weaknesses for the completely free QR generators and trackers can be seen in Figure 1.1 below. Website Name Benefits -Change QR colors -Password Protection - Styles Include: -Website -Messages -Contact Card -Campaign/Event Making -Different QR Sizes (100,300,1000,3000px) -Online Video Tutorials -Save as .JPG .PNG .PDF -Styles Include: -Website -Messages -Contact Card -Can Edit/Delete Codes - Emails user when someone scans a QR code -Save as .JPG .PNG, .EPS .SVG -Instantly Share QR via Facebook or Twitter -offers NFC taps Styles Include: -Website -Messages -Youtube -Google Maps Tracking Functions -Only save as .PNG - Number of scans -Cannot Edit/Delete -location of QR codes scan Downfalls Registration to make QR

MyQR.co

Not Needed

FreeQrCodeTracker

-Only two QR styles: -Website -Email -Limited Tracking -Only save as .JPG -No sorting when tracking -Cannot name QR code (referred as shorten URL)

-Number of scans - Sort scans by month -Number of scans -scan date -device used -browser used Not Needed Needed

SNAP.vu

Delivr

-no contact type QR -total views code -Number of scans/taps -Account Settings -% users by page is a bit device overwhelming -views by hour -view by day -So many tracking of week options makes it -Heat Map difficult to navigate

Not Needed

Figure 1.1 Benefits & Downfalls of Free QR Websites

Type 2: Free Trial/Paid Generator and Tracker Websites beQRious Tracker offers a free trial and monthly paid plans for users. Under their free version, users have very limited options. They can only make a website QR code. A benefit though is that beQRious offers full support over the phone or email. They also offer four monthly paid plans, basic, gold, premium, and unlimited. The basic plan, which microenterprises would most likely use, is $20.00 per month. The basic plan allows a member to create five QR codes, allows 250 scans per month, can receive email reports, and has access to advance tracking functions (number of scans, locations, and devices). Tracking results can be exported into Microsoft word, excel, or as a .PDF file. This vendor also allows user to download their QR codes as a high-resolution image in the form of a .PDF, .PNG, .JPG, or .GIF file. A weakness of this vendor is that the basic plan allows very little flexibility in QR code creation. Only being able to create five QR codes may hinder a businesss marketing plan and they are better off going to a completely free QR code generator and tracker. However, if a business really wants promising support of this service, the monthly fee may be beneficial. Kaywa QR Code allows users to freely use parts of their product and offers various monthly paid plans. Users can generate QR codes for free in the style of website, text message, contact, phone number, and SMS. A benefit of Kaywa is that a user can choose between making a static or dynamic QR code. Static means a user makes a code and is not editable. Dynamic codes allow users to change a website URL after the initial QR code was made. Kaywa offers four types of monthly plans, starter, advanced (most popular), premium, and enterprise. Their advanced plan is most widely purchases and is $45 per month. With this, a user can have their codes scanned 40,000 times per year, have full email support, and can save QR codes as a .PDF, .ESP, and .PNG. A downside to Kaywa is that their tracking is limited unless a user purchases the premium or enterprise plan. These plans offer more scans per year, campaign tracking, exportable reporting (Excel), and being able to make a QR code with a logo on it. Microenterprises would most likely purchase the starter or advanced plan because the premium plan is $120 per month and enterprise plan is based on company size, so a specialized amount is created after sending in a quote. QRstuff.com provides free QR code generation and subscriptions based on a paid plan. A benefit of the free QR creator is that the user has 20 different QR styles to choose from. Some styles include websites, YouTube videos, LinkedIn profiles, twitter, foursquare, and PayPal buy now link. In addition, another benefit is that users can change the foreground color of their QR code for free. A downside of this website is that there are mainly monthly subscription plans. The paid plans offered involve a 24-hour subscription, one-month, three month, six months, or one-year plan. This causes users to re-subscribe multiple times during the year if they want continuous service. The prices of the plans range from $11.95 (one month) to $85.95 (one year). The benefits as a paid subscriber includes, making unlimited QR codes, having high-resolution codes, real-time analytics, monthly reports, and an easy to use management dashboard. The tracking features include number of scans, date, time, location and device used. This information

is provided in the form of a pie chart and line graph. All of this information can also be downloaded into an excel spreadsheet for printing purposes. A basic overview of benefits and weaknesses for the free trial/paid QR generators and trackers can be seen in Figure 1.2 below. Website Name Benefits Downfalls -Only website QR style on free trial -Limited number of QR codes an account can create -Limited tracking unless a costly plan is purchased - Higher plans are pricey ($120+/mo.) Tracking Functions -reports exported to MS Excel or Word -number of scans -locations - device used -number of scans -locations - device used -scan summary pie charts -editable time span Lowest Plan Cost

- high-resolution QR codes -save as .PDF, .PNG, .JPG, or .GIF file. beQRious Tracker - full support over phone or email - email reports -Create website, text message, contact, phone number, and SMS QR codes for free. -Editable QR codes - full email support - save as .PDF, .ESP, .PNG - bulk QR creation - high-resolution QR codes -save as .EPS, .SVP, .PDF, .PNG, .JPG, .GIF -20 different QR styles -editable QR colors -easy to use dashboard - create unlimited QR codes - email/phone/Skype support

$20/month

Kaywa QR Code

$15/month

-lack of yearly plans -only Master or Visa credit cards are accepted

QRstuff.com

-real-time analytics -monthly reports -number of scans date - time -location -device used

$11.95 for one month subscription

Figure 1.2 Benefits & Downfalls of Trial/Paid QR Websites

Type 3: Free Downloadable Software (for a computer) Quantum QR Generator is a free to download software made by TechieDIY. This software allows users to create QR codes without Internet connection. It has six QR style options, which include contact, text message, SMS, URL, email, and phone number. Users can also resize their QR codes using ranging from version (size) 1 to 40. When saving the QR code, users has the option to save it as a .JPG, .BMP, .GIF, and .PNG. Another benefit is that users can print their code right after they create it. A downside is that this software does not come with a tutorial. There is a Help button, which redirects a user to a website. However, the link will not appear if the user is not connected with the Internet. XRen QRCODE is another free software that contains five QR styles for users to create. This includes message, address, contact, website, and SMS. One benefit is that users can save their QR code as a .JPG, .PNG, .GIF, .BMP, or .TIFF file. In addition, this program is easy to use and is intuitive to use. Varieties of languages are also supported. A downfall of this software is that it does not support resizing of QR codes nor does it have tracking capabilities. A final benefit is that XRen QRCODE has been updated to the most recent Windows platform, Windows 8. It is also compatible with previous Windows versions such as Windows XP, Vista, and 7. A basic overview of benefits and weaknesses for the free QR software can be seen in Figure 1.3 below. Program Name Benefits -Six QR styles -Save as JPG, .BMP, .GIF, or .PNG -Can resize QR codes -Can print codes -No Internet connection needed -Five QR styles -Save as JPG, .PNG, .GIF, .BMP, or .TIFF file -Can print codes -Supports a variety of languages -No Internet connection needed Downfalls -No how to use tutorial - Help only available with online connection -No tracking Platform

Quantum QR Generator

-Windows XP -Windows Vista -Windows 7

-No resizing -No tracking -Windows XP -Windows Vista -Windows 7 -Windows 8

XRen QRCODE 2.10

Figure 1.3 Benefits & Downfalls of Free QR Software

Type 4: Free Downloadable Apps (for a smartphone/tablet) QR Droid is a free mobile app for Android devices, which allows users to create, share, and scan QR codes. This apps has eight different styles of QR codes, including website, contact card, message, PayPal payments, calendar event, image, and Wi-Fi network code (this type of code allows a user to connect to a wireless network). When scanning, the devices camera is turned on and allows a user to scan a QR code. This scan is then saved and stored in the history tab of the app. The downside of this mobile app is that there are no tracking capabilities other than viewing what scans the user made. In addition, users can only share their code through email, not through social media websites. A benefit is that this app is easy to use and is easy to edit and delete existing QR codes. QR Reader for iPhone By TapMedia Ltd is another free mobile app but is for the iPhone. This app acts as both a QR code and barcode scanner. Benefits includes being able to easily share QR codes over social media websites, such as Facebook, Twitter, and email. Users can make over ten different styles of QR codes. Some include website, contact card, Google search, PayPal payment, and Apples App Store link. This app also has a detailed history tab, where user can go and re-visit scans they previously made. Users can also favorite a scan. A downfall to this app is that there are no tracking capabilities and has several advertisements populated around the app. A basic overview of benefits and weaknesses for the free QR applications can be seen in Figure 1.4 below. App Name Benefits - High-resolution QR codes - Has 8 QR styles - Detailed history view - No in-app advertisements -Over ten QR code styles -Detailed history view -Scans barcodes & QR codes -Instantly share codes over social media websites Downfalls -No QR tracking -Cannot share QR codes over social media websites Compatible Device

QR Droid

-Android Devices

QR Reader for iPhone

-No QR tracking -Several in-app Advertisements

-iPhone/iPod

Figure 1.4 Benefits & Downfalls of Free QR APPS

A Microenterprises Choice
From the above choices of QR code generators and trackers, an appropriate option for a microenterprise would be myQR.co. MyQR is an appropriate choice because it is completely free to use and has the capabilities a microenterprise would need. This website provides the main QR code styles a microenterprise would use website, message, map, and contact card. Since this option is free, there is no harm or risk as in terms of financial loss. The website overall is also easy to use and navigate. It provides on screen instructions as well as an About Us page to further learn about QR codes and the way they can be used in a business. When registering for the website, the only necessary criteria to fill out are a username, an email address, and a password. This protects a businesss name as well as a persons personal information. An indepth tutorial for myQR.co is provided on the next page.