Having a business is not easy especially if you are in a place where there a lot of competition and you have low budget for advertising. Typically, businesses do not succeed much without customers and customers will not be aware that your business exists without promotion and advertising.

In the field of business management, you will obviously hear the term “QR codes” in many strategic planning for service and product promotion. If you are new in the field, you might be wondering what is a “QR Code” and what good can it do for your business.

QR codes (Quick Response codes) are two-dimensional codes that can be read by QR barcode readers on mobile devices. QR codes appear as black modules put into a specific order in a square – like model in a white background. QR codes contain information about your business in text or URL link.

The code is initially made to decode contents and provide INSTANT information about a certain product or service. Mobile phone users can scan QR codes and immediately be directed to your website, your coupon, your online video, or to a personal message from you – and many other options.

Quickly becoming popular in Japan a few years ago, QR codes were used to track parts of automobiles during manufacturing. However, due to the possibilities of the Internet, QR codes are now used to introduce new marketing strategies that provide additional customers and higher ROI to business owners.

Listed below are five examples of how to use QR codes effectively to help your business:

1.Social Platforms

Due to the popularity of social media, your QR codes can be attached to your web pages or social media profiles such as Facebook. That way, users can scan through the code and be directed to the information you want to get across.

2.Business Cards

You can have QR code added to your business card to direct customers to your business website or promotional offer. If you want them to simply be directed to your website, you can set-up the QR code to do so. If you want them to simply be provided with a promotional offer, you can set-up the QR code to do that as well.

3.Packaging Products

If your business involves sending packages to your customers, you can use QR codes to take customers to online guides and presentations about using your product. Or you can send them to a customer manual that will give them tips on using the product.

4.Press Releases

Online press releases are one of the best ways to gain online visibility for your business. However, this visibility is intensified with inclusion of QR codes in your press releases. After being intrigued to learn more about your business after reading your press release, the viewer can simply scan your QR code with their mobile device to be taken to your website for more information.

5.Include on All Printed Advertisement

QR codes are great for branding your business and creating awareness. You’ve probably noticed that more and more businesses are using QR codes on their flyers, postcards, billboards, t-shirts, coffee mugs… pretty much all of their marketing materials. The powerful idea behind this is that once the user scans the QR code, they can instantly gain access to whatever information you want them to have.

The possibilities are endless!

Big companies today are using the power of QR Codes as part of their marketing strategy. Quick response codes (QR codes) were first utilized in Japan used in tracking down parts of their automobile during manufacturing. Today, the QR codes are gaining popularity all over the world.

QR codes are patterned codes in arranged in squares generally with a white background. QR codes are embedded with data and information that can be immediately exposed with just one click of a mobile phone. Businesses can use QR codes to promote coupons, special offers, and discounts. They can also use them to build a mobile list of subscribers. They can also be used to direct people to your website, online video, or Facebook Fan page. The possibilities are unlimited.

Although, QR codes are very becoming more popular today, there are still some businesses that are not aware of the powerful benefits of using QR codes. Since they don’t know about the benefits, they’re missing out on all of the potential business that this cutting-edge technology can produce.

Here are other benefits you can get from QR codes:

a.No Reprints

QR codes do not require re – printing of your advertisements and promotions thus reducing your printing expenses. People can simply click on the QR codes provided to view information they need about the product. They can click the code anytime they want to retrieve the information.

b.Build Customer Excitement

Providing QR codes in your products increases excitement because people are curious about what information is hiding behind your QR code. Now, they can instantly retrieve the information embedded in your QR codes. Clicking those codes facilitates feeling of thrill and instant gratification, which is great for business.

c.Prompt Response

From the name itself “quick”, your clients do not have to wait long for additional information about the product. No longer do they have to wait until they get home to look at your website to get the information they want. QR codes facilitate immediate access to information about your business, products, and services.

Relevant facts acquired from QR codes facilitate convenience for the end-user when it comes to getting more information about your business or offer. You can also use QR codes to conduct surveys and customer feedback about your product or service.
Although they are still considered “new” technology, QR codes are quickly gaining popularity across the world when it comes to promoting, branding, and marketing businesses.

There are a lot of new and exciting marketing strategies formulated every day in an attempt to penetrate into the public’s interests. One of the most effective, cutting-edge marketing methods being used today is mobile marketing. Thanks to the overwhelmingly popular cell phone, businesses can no longer ignore the importance of a mobile-friendly presence if they really want to reach their target audiences.

Mobile marketing encompasses many different types of marketing techniques and strategies that help businesses increase profits and ROI. The most popular forms of mobile marketing today are: mobile-friendly websites, SMS text message marketing, and QR (Quick Response) codes.

You may be wondering why everyone is hopping on the mobile marketing bandwagon…

This should help clear it up:

1.Consumers are using their mobile devices to access the Internet more than ever before – and it’s expected to grow at astonishing rates over the next few years. If your business is not using mobile methods to attract customers, you are simply missing out on business.

2.There are approximately 4 BILLION mobile subscribers across the world. This means that you can target pretty much anyone using mobile methods.

3.Most mobile device users keep their phones within arm’s reach over 90 percent of the time. So if you use SMS Text Message Marketing, most of your messages will be opened and read by your recipients. This leads to higher promotional redemption rates, which leads to more sales, which leads to more profits.

4.Americans today are spending an average of three hours per day on the Internet from their mobile devices. Your business should have the proper mobile presence if you want to get a piece of this action.

5.In 2009, approximately half a BILLION people went online using their mobile device. This number is expected to double within the next 5 years. It’s not too late to implement mobile marketing techniques in your business. This technology is still in its infancy and if you jump onboard now, your chance of success will be much greater.

6.By 2014, mobile Internet usage is expected to exceed desktop Internet usage. This means that reaching your audience via mobile methods will be even more crucial if you want to beat your competition.

7.According to Facebook official statistics from January 2011, more than 200 million users (out of over 600 million Facebook users) access Facebook using their mobile devices; also, mobile Facebook users are twice as active as non-mobile users. Facebook has over 600 million active users, so that means that 1/3 of them are using their mobile devices to access Facebook!

These facts indicate the serious impact that mobilizing your business will have on your sales, profits, and ROI over the coming months and years.

In business, the one thing that most people get hooked on is a discount or “freebie.” Therefore, you should definitely be using these types of promotions in your business. Traditionally, coupons are printed in papers and attached to magazines and newspapers. But the traditional paper coupons are quite costly since it involves paper and printing materials.
On the other hand, mobile marketing coupons offer the same benefits as paper coupons, but with less overhead costs and expenses.
In addition, coupons via SMS have a high rate of redemption compared to traditional coupons.

Most Americans own cellular phones and many of them, or perhaps most of them, always carry their mobile devices with them. Therefore, your SMS coupons are likely to be read by consumers just minutes after your send them out.

To understand mobile marketing coupons, refer to the name itself. It is one effective way of breaking the ice and penetrating to your target market by way of using their favorite gadget – the coupon. Your campaign will be easily received without having to scan on papers and wait for magazine issues. Unlike the traditional paper coupons, mobile coupons are not easy to lose and maintain dignity in redemption.

By far, redemption rates for SMS is higher than paper coupons because they are easier to claim as most people always have their mobile phones with them. This convenience alone is a contributing factor to the success rate of mobile coupon redemption.
Another thing is that, SMS text coupons are more convincing thus increasing the rate of your sales. As reports show, coupons sent via text appeals to more customers compared to the paper ones. Mobile coupons are more talked about and shared by many people.

If someone gets an awesome mobile coupon offer, they are quick to forward it to their friends and family members so they can get in on the deal too. Now, you have easily added even more people to your mobile list without doing any extra work.

Using mobile marketing coupons for your business is exactly the thing that you need to capitalize on your local mobile market. It is one way to let people know that your business exists in your local community. Mobile coupons are great for branding and keeping your business in the face of your target market. Not only that, but they also help you increase profits by marketing to a list that WANTS your promotions and are happy to redeem them.

Mobile coupons are the perfect way to keep your list engaged and happy to be a part of your SMS text message marketing list.

No matter what business niche you are in, times are tough these days when it comes to getting ore sales and increasing profits. Businesses are forced to utilize strategies that can reach their potential and existing customers both easily and affordably.
With the amazing popularity of mobile phone devices, business cannot afford to overlook mobile marketing techniques and strategies. For instance, most mobile phone users now use their phones to surf the web. However, most businesses still do not have a “mobile-friendly” website.

Traditional websites are built to be viewed on a computer screen instead of a small mobile phone screen. So viewing a traditional website that has not been “mobilized” on a mobile phone is almost impossible. You have to scroll all over the place just to find the information you’re looking for due to the limited space.

In fact, most “non-mobilized” websites don’t even load at all on mobile devices. Most people use their smart phones to search for local businesses while out on the go. As soon as they hit a website that they can’t navigate or use, they quickly exit the site and move on.

Can you start to see how companies are missing out on some SERIOUS business by not having mobile-friendly websites?
Here are a few other reasons your business MUST have a mobile website:

Portability and Accessibility

Compared to a desktop or a laptop, mobile phones can be taken anywhere people go at any time of the day or night. In fact, most people keep their cell phones within reach at all times. Not only that, but people are using them more than ever to surf the web. If you want to get noticed easily and maintain the proper mobile presence, a mobile website is the perfect place to start.

Mobile Search

Most smart phones today are equipped with applications that assist in convenient online search resources such as Google and Yahoo! Your business can easily be found when people search for products or services such as yours from their mobile devices. However, that visibility is useless if they click to get to your website and can’t find the information they need because your website won’t display properly on their phone.

Localization

Mobilizing your website is the perfect way to help your local customers find you. Mobile websites have to be smaller than traditional websites, which means you have to limit the amount of content you put on them. So it’s important to only put the information your visitors need while visiting your website from their mobile devices. Most people on the go are looking for your phone number, directions to your establishment, or your services list. So make sure these things are readily available and easily accessible on your mobile website.

Mobile websites can drastically increase the number of potential customers who are exposed to your business without spending a bunch of extra money on advertising.

Technology has been a life-changing experience for all of us – especially in recent years. New inventions are created every single day that are meant to make our lives easier. As new technologies continue to develop, businesses are forced to keep up if they want to sustain in today’s tough economic conditions.

Today, the latest and by far the most widely used communication device are is the mobile phone. Just like technology, mobile communications continue to improve with more features and functionalities. Some smart phones are more equipped than desktop computers!

Due to these reasons, businesses have to start “mobilizing” if they want to really stay in front of their target market.

One of the most popular forms of mobile marketing is SMS Text Message Marketing.

SMS text message marketing allows you to communicate directly to your target market by sending a simple, quick text message. This permission-based program is perfect because your recipients have opted-in to receive your messages. It’s effective because they WANT to receive your promotions.

Another great thing about SMS text message marketing is the deliverability of the message. Almost all text messages are read within minutes of receiving them. In fact, recent studies show that 97% of text messages are read within minutes of receiving them. So this is the perfect way to get your promotions across to your target market.

SMS text message marketing is also more time-efficient compared to traditional advertising methods. Text messages have to be short due to character limitations, so putting together your marketing message takes just a few minutes instead of days and weeks to prepare.

SMS text message marketing is also highly trackable. You have the advantage of monitoring and finding out what happens with each message you send out. In other words, you can track down your campaigns to evaluate many metrics such as how many people viewed your message.

Can you do that with any newspaper, TV, or radio ad? Nope.

SMS text message marketing is also a great way to retain your customers at a very low cost. It’s the perfect recipe for customer retention because you can reach out to them very easily. These are customers who have already spent money with you, so chances are, they will come back to spend more and more money with you as long as you keep in touch with them.

Business owners have many different marketing strategies available to them today. However, not all of them are as effective and profitable as a SMS text message marketing campaign. As long as everything is set-up well and you are taking good care of your list, your business can bring in a lot more money with the use of this amazingly effective technology.