Evolution of QR Codes and Why You Need One in 2021

What, according to you, are the commonalities in products and services trending in 2021? Do words like ‘essential’ and ‘urgent’ come to your mind? Most likely! No wonder QR codes have become a part of the hot-tech bandwagon despite existing for over three decades. Japan invented QR codes to encode more characters than the good-old barcodes and further popularised by China. And the pandemic made the whole world adapt the 2D advancement for numerous purposes. Another combination of words to follow would be ‘minimalist’ yet ‘multipurpose.’ Instead of having a separate solution for each requirement, the consumer pattern moves towards achieving more with less. Unfortunately, COVID 19 has instilled the consciousness that no other world issues like climate change and waste management could.

Even an unprecedented move like an overnight currency ban in India did not see a hike in QR codes for payments as much as a country battling a virus attack. 

So what is a QR code, after all? The Quick Response (QR) Code is an advanced version of the barcode. How? A barcode is a single-dimensional code with only 20 characters encoded in 20 lines. In contrast, the 2D quick response counterpart can encode 7,000 characters in the form of dots. Barcodes require a particular scanning machine, while any smartphone camera can scan a QR code. 

Human touch, otherwise a gesture of warmth in an ordinary world, became a danger in 2020. So businesses started using QR codes for several purposes beyond payments. A popular example can be scanning QR codes for food menus at restaurants or in-room dining in hotels. Another one is scanning QR codes of PNR for web check-in at the airports. 

You’ve used QR Codes for payments but still don’t understand the buzz around them?

QR Codes are popular in 2021 because:

They are seamlessly entering our everyday lives, waiting for us to use them in as many ways as possible. Payments are just courtship; we can experience several other facets if we give the new relationship our best shot! 

First things first- safety

Befriend the scan that keeps you from viral exposure at stores, restaurants, public places, or tourist attractions. One can scan QR codes for payments and ticketing, registrations, entry management, navigation, sharing documents, and much more.

Save time

The year 2020 may have been slow, but 2021 has to compensate for the previous year’s losses. One way to achieve it is by saving time and effort on meaningless things. IT IS 2021. Let technology help you in being more productive. Otherwise, what’s the point! Right?

Cut your expenses on print media and material

We all know that QR codes existed before the pandemic, but the restaurants did not use them for food menus. Smart people learn from others’ mistakes instead of making one themselves. You do not need another world problem to adapt to better and more dynamic solutions. Let’s consider other benefits of QR codes for food menus. The hospitality industry keeps updating menus due to the apparent price change, addition/elimination of certain items, or new offers. Each time they do so, they have to spend on modifying, designing, printing, and encasing the menu. With a dynamic QR code, one can make changes in the menu, automatically updating even if the code has been printed. This saves a considerable amount of money.

Explore

The very few QR code users were also using it primarily for conventional purposes like payments till 2019. One does not have to be a business owner to be a more competent tech user. Students, academicians, healthcare workers, professionals, homemakers, or anyone can use QR codes to make the process of sharing more intelligent. The most basic things like sharing emails, Wifi credentials, presentations, PDFs, URLs, locations, and event invitations can be significant use cases for QR codes.

Bridge the gap between digital and print

You publish an advertisement in a magazine with a limited period offer. The idea is for customers to take action the moment they see the ad. Do you think that’s achievable if they have to type your website or a long purchase link? Why not print a QR code that directly takes them to the page with a scan instead? The engagement rate of QR codes is much higher than you can imagine, really!

It helps the environment

A lot of paperwork, expensive designer print material can be avoided by using and incorporating QR codes. High time we stop making excuses!

Budget-friendly

QR Code solves more problems than one, and even a damaged or folded, it remains scannable. While it saves costs from other expenses, a QR code’s long life further increases the cost-benefit. They are a steal for the range of functions they have, period!

Brand Identity

Yes, QR codes can extend your brand’s identity to digital as well as print mediums. You can customize the code to match your logo’s shape, color and also add a description. It gives a unique presence and instantly attracts attention, like a super cute pink popsicle code for a popsicle brand. 

Track Scans

The function of tracking the statistics of a QR Code allows you to know how well your marketing campaign is performing or how many people are likely to turn up at your event. QR code scans can provide information, including the mobile device used to scan the code, the web browser in which the content was displayed, and much more.

Think outside the box

QR codes have encoded information of a webpage, locations, PDF, or anything else you wish to communicate. Don’t shy away from considering profiles, statements, exhibitions, coupons, company apps, games, and quizzes, among other possible use cases. With an open mind, there’s a lot that one can encode in this tool to make it more visible and share-friendly. The results are impressive!

eCommerce and tech giants’ hot favorite

The tech entrepreneurs in America and China are leading the QR code game by widening its potential. Whether it be Amazon’s SmileCode, Snapchat’s Snapcode, Instagram’s Nametags, or Alibaba’s Alipay Code, QR codes are the hottest thing in the IT industry. Youngsters between the age group of 15-24 years are the top users, so the tool is undoubtedly futuristic. 

There is a reason corporate giants are using QR codes in creative ways, taking their efficiency to another level. Belgium uses QR Codes for its public transportation system, while UNICEF manages its education campaign through QR Codes. It is the coolest way to execute a call to action; everything is about the idea behind it. The list of the benefits of QR codes will surely grow in the years to come. If you haven’t made a start yet, now is the time! Visit the QR code generator and create your FREE QR code now.