QR Codes - not much use at all apparently!

Over the past few months I’ve posted a few comments about the innovative use of QR codes in mobile marketing. I’ve come across a contrarian point of view presented by Catapult Action-Biased Marketing a researcher based in Westport, Connecticut. They put forward the premise that QR codes and social media have very little impact. 

To provide balance it’s only right that I share their view with you. According to Ben Cohen, their Director of Digital Shopping, QR code interaction amongst iPhone users is down 20% and QR codes aren’t delivering interesting or useful material. 

As a marketer and a consumer I take a different view. Let me give you an example. Just before Christmas I was in Peter Jones in Sloane Square, London and was looking to buy a new printer. I was being recommended a particular printer in my price range. Just as I was about to buy I noticed a QR code on the packaging which I scanned with my phone. It took me to a website product description page with numerous reviews, mostly terrible. I decided not to buy. 

Is this not a prime example of how QR codes can benefit the consumer. It’s up to the marketer to get the product, message or destination url right. For the consumer it’s another useful tool to help them make a decision.

Anyway, see another point of view here in Marketing Daily