5 Reasons QR codes won’t be around in 12 Months

Posted on 16. Sep, 2011 by Simon Heyes in Digital Marketing

I keep reading articles about how QR codes are coming of age, and their usage is growing. But I can’t help sitting back and thinking “really?“. For the last few years I have been a huge QR code advocate, and I can see the benefits of QR codes for integrating offline and online marketing campaigns.  Since the introduction of NFC however, my advocacy has dwindled, so I thought I’d stick my neck on the line and say QR codes will not be around in a year. Here are my six reasons why:

1) Usage of QR codes by the average person on the street is low

Many believe QR codes are over-rated. A recent survey conducted by the team at Lab42 found that almost 60% of people say they are not familiar with QR codes. In general, all the positive articles written about QR codes are from mobile or digital marketing people. The mainstream population don’t talk about QR codes. Unlike consumers in Japan, it’s not in our DNA to scan a barcode with our mobile phones. A similar, recent econsultancy survey also found that the vast majority of consumers don’t know what QR codes are. I don’t see this changing, especially if NFC-enabled smartphones become the norm.

2) NFC is faster, more convenient, and no apps are required

QR code scanning - stepladders required. Image credit @MikeNotaro

For those who know about, and understand QR codes, scanning them still requires finding an app, downloading the app, then using the app. And then there’s the actual scanning itself. Some QR code placements are very poor – giant billboards on skyscrapers, behind staircases, and many will remember the Waitrose TV ad placement of a QR code last Christmas. This was a great idea…except the ad didn’t explain what the code was, or air long enough for users to scan the code. #fail.

Compared to the simplicity of NFC (which comes pre-installed on some smartphones) QR codes appear slow and clunky. Whilst the potential of NFC goes beyond contactless payment, UK consumers attitudes say it would make like simpler. If NFC technology is pre-installed on the new iPhone, QR codes may go the way of the dodo.

3) Connectivity

As with the image above, QR codes are often used in places which require a 3G or Wifi connection. For example in-store, or in adverts on the underground. Don’t get me wrong, it’s the same issue for mobile internet browsing and app usage, but placements need to improve if QR codes are going to succeed.

4) Google dropped support for QR codes

There has been a lot of debate over the consequences and repercussions of Google’s move to drop QR codes for Google Places. Instead, Google started mailing out NFC-enabled stickers to businesses in Portland, Oregon – one of the locations Google were testing their new Offers product. Others argue that Google hasn’t abandoned QR codes just yet, especially following their acquisition of Punchd. Punchd is essentially a loyalty programme for retailers. Say, for example, MR.s X’s coffee shop uses Punchd. The customer scans a QR code with their phone each time they buy a coffee or a muffin. They are then rewarded with a free coffee or muffin once they have scanned the code five times. In my opinion, this current QR code based strategy will be replaced with NFC.

5) Unlike NFC, there are no jobs directly related to QR codes

If you’re looking for a job in mobile, it’s likely you won’t find one titled ‘QR Code Manager’. On the other hand, many companies already have a ‘Head of NFC’. Jeremy Belostock, is the Head of NFC at Nokia. Claire Maslen is the Head of Near Field Communication at O2. Mung-Ki Woo was Head of NFC at Orange, but has now joined MasterCard Worldwide as its mobile group executive. NFC is so broad and can be used for so many different marketing, communication, and loyalty programs, it’s difficult to see where QR codes will fit into the picture in 12 months time.

What’s your opinion? Are QR codes alive and kicking, or is NFC sounding the death knoll?

Tags: Mobile, Mobile Payments, near field communication, nfc, QR Codes