Where Did QR Codes Originally Come From and for Which Industry?

Have you ever wondered where QR codes originally come from? And for what industry are they?

Imagine this: you got a lipstick trial kit, and while using it, you love its effect on your lips and shade.

You found a custom QR code on its packaging that allows you to re-order the product from their stores.

That’s how perfect a printed advertisement for online shopping has become because of QR codes.

Still, wondering what the fuss is all about? Read to know more. 

What is a QR code?

A Quick Response, mainly known as a QR code, is a two-dimensional and more advanced barcode that people can scan using a smartphone.

You can generate QR codes using a QR code generator online, and people can scan them in both vertical and horizontal dimensions.

It can embed data and information like a link to an online store, an influencer’s various social media profiles, files like images, videos, music, an official document, and many more!

Hence the word “quick” on its name, people can access the embedded data quickly and easily by scanning the QR code using smartphone devices.

The QR code automatically directs scanners to a landing page that displays the information the user stores.

Two types of QR codes (Static and Dynamic)

A QR code has two types, a Static QR code and a Dynamic QR code.

Which one is better to use? Let’s find out.

Static QR code

A Static QR code is a one-time purpose QR code wherein the user cannot change or edit the data he embeds.

Moreover, the user cannot track the number of scans, leading the scanners to only one permanent piece of information.

Nevertheless, a Static QR code is free to use, and the number of scans it provides is unlimited.

People can use static QR codes for personal use, in offices, or even in schools.

QR codes can store and easily share information like advertisements, employment contracts, office files, or learning materials such as modules.

Dynamic QR code

A dynamic QR code is a type of QR code that allows you to track, edit, and update the stored data.

Using a dynamic QR code saves you time, effort, and money as you can still change and edit its content anytime, even when you have already printed the QR code.

This QR code allows more access to simultaneous scan monitoring, the location of the scanner, and its device.

• It allows multi-URL directories
• Allows users to place or remove information without reprinting new codes
• It has a password-protected QR code feature
• QR code email scan notification feature
• Integration to Google Tag Manager feature
• Real-time tracking of QR code data analytics
• Less dense in appearance as it only contains a short in the URL
• It also requires an active subscription

Related: How to generate a free Dynamic QR Code in 5 steps

Where did QR codes come from, and for which industry?

Every single part of a vehicle has a particular dimension, working performance, and fitting. When the mechanic does this manually, it can lead to a possible error.

Hara and his team’s task were to create a barcode that could easily track automobile and automobile parts during manufacturing.

When they invented the QR Code, they did not expect people to use QR codes outside of the automotive industry.

Hara previously stated that he never expected the current use of QR codes in the general public, mainly when people use QR codes in contactless payments.

“At the time, I felt that I had developed something great and predicted that it would be widely used in the industry in the future. But it was widely used by general users, which I did not expect. It was used as a payment method. It was completely unexpected. “

Why did they invent if QR codes are not for their current uses?

The invention of QR codes has everything to do with the barcode they replaced. It was the traditional UPC Barcode.

UPC Barcodes are replaced with QR codes as it is better to use. A QR code can represent data even when scanned in different dimensions and can store more information than UPC Barcodes.

QR codes in the automotive industry of today

A QR code was created for the automotive industry, but now they can be seen everywhere; placed in printed advertisements, social media, or you can even find it in the world’s most famous beverage, Coca-Cola. 

Furthermore, Mercedes-Benz, a luxury vehicle company, also adds up QR codes that can be used when it comes to an event of crashing. 

His car, covered in QR codes for $1 hoodies, was sponsored by the Fast Business.

In under 8 hours, the QR codes on the automobile were scanned 70k times, and over 50k hoodies were sold!

Isn’t it incredible? Thousands of fans now own Fast-branded hoodies, which were all sold for $1 as part of an epic hoodie deal.

The surge of QR codes in the COVID-19 pandemic

QR Codes are gaining popularity for various reasons, the most obvious being that they are contactless, touchless, and simple to use, all of which are desirable qualities in a post-pandemic society.

QR Codes are also growing more popular as QR readers are now built into smartphone cameras, eliminating the need for users to download a separate app to scan a code.

Consumers nowadays value simplicity and frictionless experiences.

One key user experience benefit of the QR Code is that consumers can quickly pull out their phone and scan it without downloading anything.

As a result, QR Codes have become an essential part of doing business and marketing during and after a pandemic.

During the pandemic, QR codes came of age.

According to a new survey from The Drum, consumers have come to appreciate the functional benefits of QR codes and are increasingly using them to engage with brands. 75% of US respondents indicated they intend to use QR codes in the future.

Other notable use cases of QR codes today

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic made QR codes take over the world and, at the same time, taught people how to utilize QR codes in new ways.

Stated below are some of the notable use cases of QR codes today:

Maximizing Social Media Followers

Social media is a great tool to easily communicate and share personal information, documents, videos, and photos with people worldwide.

A social media QR code is a powerful QR code solution that can store all your social media channels on one landing page.

When this QR code is scanned, it automatically directs scanners to all your social media profiles that you have embedded into the social media QR code.

Using a social media QR code allows you to promote your page easily and, at the same time, increase your followers.

Directing Scanners to Online Information

QR codes on product packaging serve a purpose other than aesthetics! It’s utilized to improve the customer’s overall experience.

Placing a URL QR code for product packaging aid businesses in various ways by allowing them to be more flexible and technologically advanced. Quick Response codes are rapidly catching up with the rest of the globe.

People are fast to accept them and see the advantages they provide.

These codes are readable and may be scanned with a smartphone or a machine. These codes are used to save important data, such as distinct URLs.

URL QR codes lead scanners to information about the product that the user embeds on it, such as how it’s made, where it’s from, or nutritional information.

Automate Scan-To-Order Using QR Codes

QR codes can redirect scanners to a landing page that contains the online information that the user embeds on it.

For instance, one of the best and most popular brands, Zara, came up with one of the most creative ways to market their products using QR codes.

Zara displayed a giant QR code in the front of their store, and when people stroll around, they can shop online using the QR code.

Related: How to use a QR code on the window of your store?

Interactive packaging design

Marketers can place QR codes on product packaging to provide information about a particular product. Any customer can scan the QR codes in the packaging containing a video or a short story about the commodity.

The QR code can also redirect the scanner to a specific landing page that allows them to reorder a product again.

This is an excellent opportunity for marketers to advertise their products without displaying printed advertisements.

A user can also make a video QR code in three methods.

The first method uses a URL QR code to indicate where the videos are kept online, such as on Dropbox.

Second, if the video is kept on the user’s computer, he or she can make a video QR code using the File QR code.

Finally, if the user wishes to share his film on YouTube, there is a YouTube QR code.

Consumer electronics packaging

Of course, your products will come with a paper manual, but many buyers prefer a digital copy.

Include a File QR Code on your package that links to a PDF version of the handbook to make this a simple reality. Customers can now have physical and PDF copies on their phones.

Digitizing the print media industry

This way, you can give your audience more informative and interactive marketing materials.

Moreover, the audience can access the information that the user embeds in the QR Code by scanning it using a smartphone device.

And when people scan your QR code, it automatically redirects the scanner to a landing page that displays the data about your advertisement.

Touchless restaurant menu

At restaurants and other fast-food establishments such as McDonald’s, customers can view the menu through their smartphone devices using a menu QR code.

Because the QR code is on their table, customers no longer need to call a waiter. It saves time and effort, allowing the restaurant’s operations to continue and improve. 

Related: How to Make Your Restaurant or Bar Menu in a QR Code?

Boosting app downloads

You can use the App Store QR code to lead scanners to a landing page wherein they can immediately download an application.

These are dynamic QR codes that have a short URL. In other words, when you click and launch this URL on your smartphone device, the logic behind the URL is applied.

Additionally, game developers can customize an App Store QR code by putting their game logo and adding an eye-catching CTA!

Enable on-the-spot connections using a vCard QR code

A business card is frequently handed out during networking, corporate events, or meetings. 

To enable on-the-spot connections, using a vCard QR code, when scanned, will save a person's contact details directly to your phone without typing it. 

Create Custom Landing Page QR Optimized for Mobile Users

Using the H5 QR code editor solution tailored for mobile users, you may construct a landing page QR code with a QR code mobile website.

You can create your webpage for a mobile version utilizing a QR code instead of purchasing your domain name and hosting, which can be costly when creating your website.

You may create your mobile-friendly landing page using QR code mobile website technology without programming or coding!

Maximize Online Visibility of E-Commerce Apps

The usage of QR codes is the future of information unpacking, just as e-commerce is the future of purchasing.

The e-commerce business must improve its marketing results to keep up with the expanding number of online engagements. As a result, social media QR codes in e-commerce have evolved into a cutting-edge instrument for the future of commerce.

Wi-Fi QR Code

We’ve all had trouble connecting to Wi-Fi in a restaurant by entering incorrect passwords.

You can save time by scanning a Wi-Fi QR code and connecting to Wi-Fi directly on your smartphone device.

The brand’s QR code may redirect you to a landing page to make additional advertising. Simple and beneficial to both the restaurant owner and the customers.

Step-by-Step Guide to Generating a QR Code

• Open the best QR code generator Online

Firstly, you need to choose the best QR code generator, like QR TIGER

QR TIGER is a feasible QR code generator that is ad-free and has a user-friendly interface that allows people to generate QR codes without any intervention.

QR TIGER QR code generator has various features that users must look at; it can create functional QR codes and various alternatives.

• Choose the QR Code Solution you want to use

After opening the QR code generator, pick a QR code solution you want to use.

• To generate your QR code, fill in the required fields.
• Click on Dynamic QR Code and generate the QR Code.

After you have chosen your preferred QR code solution, you can now generate your QR code.

We suggest you finish it as a dynamic QR code for safety and effective QR code usage.

Customize your QR code design by choosing patterns and eyes, adding a logo, and setting the colors.

• Do a scan test

Always conduct a scan test. This way, you’ll find out if your QR code works well. After a scan test, you can now download and display the QR code. 

QR Codes: The Key to A Touchless Future

People are using their smartphone devices now more than before, thanks to the advancement of better and faster technology.

It’s all about having instant access to everything and getting information from one person to another or from a business to a consumer. The QR code is one of the most popular marketing channels.

In a poll by Statista, 45% of respondents from the United States said they had used a marketing-related QR code in the three months before the survey.

The proportion of responders aged 18 to 29 was the greatest. In addition, 59% of respondents predicted that QR codes would become an inextricable component of mobile phone usage.

QR codes are commonly used to monitor product information in a supply chain. They are frequently used in marketing and advertising campaigns because many smartphones have built-in QR readers.

According to research, 18.8% of consumers in the United States and the United Kingdom strongly agreed that QR code usage has increased since the start of COVID-19-related shelter-in-place orders in March. 

Generate a Free QR Code to Experience How It Works

QR code technology was invented to become a great solution to any problem in society, and the significance of understanding its uses plays a vital role in people who are starting to adapt to the work of technology in their daily lives.

If you want to begin a great QR code journey, you can start by using the best QR code generator online.

Visit QR TIGER QR code generator today!

FAQs

When did QR codes come out?

QR codes came out in 1994 and were originally invented in Japan for the automotive industry.

Over the years, marketers have seen a massive potential in QR codes due to their ability to connect offline users online.

Thus, QR codes can be seen mostly used in marketing, such as in product packaging, advertisements, and billboards.