Mobio Technologies recently released a report that showcased a massive 4549% (yep, 4549%!) increase in the adoption of QR barcode scanning by technology users over the past year. As QR barcodes continue to grow in popularity, why not make them work for your veterinary practice?

What are QR barcodes, and what do they do?

If you think that you have never heard of QR barcodes before, chances are you just haven’t known them by name. Now popping up everywhere from Starbucks to your local supermarket, the codes (or “barcodes”) appear as a symmetrical square filled with randomly arranged black and white patterns, somewhat resembling a distorted version of a traditional barcode.

The QR barcodes are readable only via scanning applications available for download on most smart-phones and tablets. The user simply downloads the application from their device’s application marketplace, and points the camera at the code for a near-instant scan. Once the barcode has been scanned, it can automatically direct the user to website URLs, promotional materials, pictures, and more.

What this all means is that these powerful little boxes can be placed just about anywhere to give customers access to the exact information you are trying to provide them. While some consumers may not yet be familiar with the purpose of these barcodes, it is important to recognize that this is likely to change as they appear with ever-growing frequency.

Creating QR barcodes is quick and easy, and can be done for free through websites such as Kaywa QR-code in just a few minutes. Once you have created your barcode, simply download the image to your computer and you are ready to get started! Many mobile scanning applications such as the one offered by Mobio also allow you the ability to generate QR barcodes directly from your smart-phone, and email or text the image to anyone.

Many businesses both small and large have begun adopting these barcodes as a part of a tech-savvy marketing strategy, and as the numbers from the Mobio report seem to indicate, the response from consumers is overwhelmingly positive. Don’t wait to play catch-up, now is the perfect time to think about utilizing QR barcodes for your veterinary practice.

Now that I’ve created my QR code, what should I do with it?

Once your QR barcode is ready for use, there really are no limits to where you can use it.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Include QR barcodes on business cards – Allow your clients to instantly access your mobile-friendly veterinary website from their smart-phone or tablet.

• Create a QR barcode for contact information – Include a barcode on your website that will allow users to instantly copy your number and address to their device.

• Include QR barcodes on advertisements – Ensure that interested potential clients are sure to remember the name and website of your practice.

• Use a QR barcode to offer special deals and promotions - Place on your website or in advertisements, allowing clients to quickly access your special offers and store them directly on their devices.

Embracing QR barcodes as part of your marketing strategy will help your practice stay ahead of the curve. Everyday more consumers are being turned on to the usefulness of these little codes, and we can expect to be seeing a lot more of them in the future.