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QR Codes and Mobile Apps

By Rob Kaighn posted Feb 19, 2020 05:28 PM

  
QR Codes (Quick Response Codes) are used to encode information into a scan-able image that can easily be read by mobile devices.  Information can include:
  • website URLs
  • codes (numbers, letters, SKUs, etc)
  • contact information
This is similar to a barcode that might have a number encoded in it.  A QR code is a specific encoding method, and there are other similar encodings.  QR codes are square and distinguished by having small squares in 3 corners of the QR Code:

Mobile devices will need to have a QR code reader app installed to read a QR code and decode this information.

One of the most common use cases is to have a URL encoded, that when scanned, takes the user to a web page.  This is much easier than typing in a URL on the mobile device.  An obvious use case for this is to have QR codes for mobile apps in the iTunes or Goggle Play stores.  This works well for event apps where an attendee wants to quickly down load the conference app.  We can easily do this for the mobile apps the Higher Logic resells.

First, get the URL for the app in the various stores.  For example, the Higher Logic Super Forum app can be found here

Next, you will need to find a web site that will create a QR code for these URLs, like https://www.qr-code-generator.com/

Copy and paste in the URL and it will create a QR Code for you.
QR Code Generator

You can then have this code available for people to scan in on their mobile devices.  Note that iPhone and Android will recognize these URLs are to their stores and go directly there so you just need to click the button to install the app.  

Some sites can get very fancy and have logos and colors in the QR Code they generate.

For more information, see the Wikipedia article on QR Codes
#MobileApps
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