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You may have been hearing about a new technology called QR codes. It’s a scannable barcode of sorts that can contain all sorts of information within the code. The codes can be scanned with a number of different applications on all major smartphone platforms, to pull information to the user’s phone. Recently, the code is most often used alongside print ads to lead the user to an online deal, or a mobile app of some kind that is associated with the print media. When a user scans the code, they can either view the contact information or the text within the code, or they have the option of following a link to an application for purchase on their phone, or a regular website.

The Advantages

According to Nielsen Wire, smartphones are 25% of the U.S. mobile market, and that number continues to grow. This means that mobile technology, as well as advertising through this form of medium is only going to grow over the coming years.  The codes are small, simple, and easy to create. They are simple black and white, and can be used very easily with all forms of print media, and even online. They are free to create, and the apps that smartphones use to scan are often free so it does not cost consumers to pull information from the codes.

How to Use Them

Make sure that whoever handles your online/social media and marketing is aware of this technology and will use it. Ensure that where it’s feasible, your print ads contain a QR code to your website, or an online deal. Don’t post the code without any explanation of what it is for. Most people don’t know what they’re for, and won’t know what to do with the image itself. It doesn’t have to be fancy, in fact even a bit of text as simple as “scan this code with your smartphone to visit our website” will work. Just so your consumers know what to do with it. Be prepared to answer some simple questions about the codes and what they’re used for. Have someone on hand who is knowledgeable with the technology to answer questions, and direct people in the right path.

Some Top Apps for Barcodes

ScanLife
ScanLife has a popular barcode scanner for all the major smartphone platforms, and is free.

RedLaser
RedLaser is predominately built for the popular iPhone platform by Apple.

Facebook users are represented on the social network as either a Page, Profile, or Group. The three options offer different opportunities and restrictions, which can impact what you are trying to accomplish on the social network. A little research can help you decide which format is best for your business.

Facebook Profile
A Facebook profile is the login mechanism representing an individual to connect with his or her friends via their profiles. This personal file affords the opportunity for individuals to share their interests, hobbies, links, videos, pictures and games. An easy way to share interests is by clicking the LIKE button on Facebook Pages. By its nature, a Facebook profile is to personally connect with friends that are also on Facebook.
Benefits:
• Security options may be edited to private, semi-private or public
• You can easily change your display name
• You can comment on others posts

Restrictions:
• Only one user per profile
• Tabs and Box items are no longer available

Facebook Page
A Facebook Page is a useful marketing tool within Facebook’s community. Acting as a brand profile, the Page offers many advantages to companies not afforded by the Profile. Pages are advertised, linked to, recommended or shared to friends in the hopes the friend will LIKE the page. When individuals LIKE a page they essentially opt in for real time updates to be shown in their Newsfeed.

Benefits:
• A Page may have multiple administrators to manage the content of the page
• Facebook Pages are now searchable by Google, Yahoo and Bing
• Pages can still have customizable tabs
• Pages may have programmed landing pages for coupons, promotions, or welcome messages
• Advertising on Facebook for Pages or external Websites rivals Google AdWords

Restrictions:
• Unable to revise your display name
• Login is required from a profile name
• A page cannot interact with individual profiles

What’s right for you?
We recommend every business subscribe to a Page vs. a Profile. In the economic environment of Do Not Call lists and Anti SPAM laws a Page offers businesses a marketing shield. The benefits of advertising, customizing tabs and pages is why many Franchisers and Corporations now rely on Facebook instead of their websites for sweepstakes, contests, and charity events. Finally, the HR headache of reassigning the passwords with each employee’s promotion, intern, or management change are relieved with the ability to allow and remove individual profiles from editing pages.