ShopSavvy's Free QR Code Program
We have talked about our QR Code program before, but I thought it was worth a second post. The adoption of two-dimensional barcodes in marketing and advertising has been hampered by proprietary standards. Too many companies have spent too much time attempting to monetize a very simple, but powerful feature. Ironically, there has always been an alternative, open standard called a Quick Response or QR Code. Anyone can generate a two-dimensional QR Code pointing to any website for free. Additionally, millions of mobile phone users already have QR Code capable readers like ShopSavvy®.
The biggest problem with QR Codes is that American consumers don’t know what a 2D barcode is. They need some help understanding how to react to a QR Code printed on a billboard or in a magazine advertisement. Our ‘Scan with ShopSavvy’ program was designed to solve this problem. Millions of ShopSavvy users already use the ipad scan app to scan 1D barcodes, but many of them have no idea that ShopSavvy will scan open standard 2D barcodes (i.e. QR Code), but they do understand the concept of scanning.
Our ‘Scan with ShopSavvy’ program allows brands to leverage our ‘trained’ user base by including our ‘Scan with ShopSavvy’ badge anywhere they print a 2D barcode. Consumers can use ANY QR-capable scanner (50+ today), but the program attempts to short circuit the call to action by showing the user he can use an application he already has on his smartphone.
The program is free for almost all brands. Our goal is to promote QR Codes, ShopSavvy and build great relationships with brands. Interested? Brands simply need to email sales-biggu and explain the planned usage of our badge prior to use. Permission will be granted to almost all brands.
Scan with ShopSavvy Program for QR Codes
Earlier this month ShopSavvy® began supporting QR Codes AKA 2D barcodes. ShopSavvy supports standard QR Code instructions including URL redirection, Phone Dialing, SMS Messaging and Contact Addition. Retailers, brands and advertisers can leverage ShopSavvy’s name recognition and installed base of users (more than 4.5 million as of January 2010) in their QR Code promotions and marketing. This is a FREE program designed as a win-win for marketers and ShopSavvy.
Simply overlay the ‘Scan with ShopSavvy’ badge on top of any QR Code and ShopSavvy users will be alerted that they can scan the code. Users who don’t have a reader are instructed to download our reader (for free) from the shopsavvy.mobi website. To use the ShopSavvy name and graphic you must receive permission (via email) which will not be unreasonably withheld (generally we just want to try to up-sell you). Just let us know how you plan to use our graphic and name and send it to sales-biggu.
While consumers will be able to leverage ShopSavvy they will ALSO be able to use ANY barcode scanner than supports QR Codes. LOTS of phones have the ability to scan 2D codes natively – your QR promotion will work on any of these devices unlike proprietary barcodes.
Options
- custom download link, i.e. brand.com/shopsavvy (links to custom version of ShopSavvy with brand’s messaging in footer – 320×36px)
- location aware QR Codes, i.e. we can report GPS (lat/long) to advertiser for each scan.
- custom 1D programs, i.e. proprietary UPC/EAN codes linked to your actions (for agencies who wish to keep their programs proprietary).
- custom art, i.e. on white, on black or in color.