OT; QR tags

I would say 1 foot square. You'll get that from a fair distance and it's not so big that it will look stupid.

But to be fair, if they are going to point a camera phone at your van, they would surely just photograph your number and web address which I assume are already sign written on it?

However (with the right software) the QR tag should take you straight to the website, with no messy transposing from a picture to a browser.

Before you do, you're aware there are different types of content that can be encoded? e.g just a website, or a full business card with phone numbers/website/email

How much information you encode into it determines the density of the dots, also you can add extra error-correction (makes it slightly larger) which might help if they get a blurry snap of it as you speed past.

See if this has more options than the generator you used.

How far away from the van will the people be?

How big will the qr code be?

That sounds about right to me from ones I have seen in public places.

People may not think of photographing the van, even assuming that the result would be legible. However, many are used to the concept of using a QR tag.

Colin Bignell

How long is a piece of string? How far away are the people when trying to note your details?

Most phones have fixed fairly wide angle lenses, playing here I reckon that if people can stand next to your van something about 6" square is about right.

But why aren't they simply taking a photo of the van side? Or do you want to easily lead them to your website, saving them typing in the URL?

Because the QR generation are a bunch of lazy fckrs who want their information handed to them on a plate? Just the kind of people who Dave could make a mint from.

Nobody's mentioned the biggest drawback though, he'll need to wash the van.

David WE Roberts :

That's the theory. But they don't seem to have caught on. Taking a photo is much easier and gives you more information.

Yes, when I'm walking in the street and see a QR code, I'm obviously going to want to immediately stop whatever it is that I'm doing and proceed straight to the website without passing 'Go'. ;-)

If I happen to have something capable of taking a photo to hand, then a photo of a URL does the job. If I don't, then it's far easier to either remember a URL for later, or to scribble it down on a piece of paper, back of my hand etc.

cheers

Jules

That's why I want to do it. Costs are negligible and anything that makes it easier for people is a good thing.

Indeed, my daughters use these tags all the time.

I just wanted my web site details recorded. I prefer to channel enquiries via it because it weeds out the time wasters.

Oh!

You got it!

Always a downside :-)

Surely he could draw the code into the dirt ?

I don't think anyone is suggesting you replace the URL, phone number etc. - just provide an additional way to save the details.

As much as anything, it is good marketing. A QR code on a van suggests a business that is up to date and modern in outlook.

The downside is that anyone using a QR code ought to be taken to a mobile optimised web site. A lot of people still use mobiles with 300 pixel wide screens (about 75% of the mobile hits on my site are from those) and they need a quite different approach to site design.

Colin Bignell

My only further suggestion would be to not let the tag appear too dominant in your vehicle signage, big enough and prominent enough for those in the know to spot it and use it but not so dominant as to alienate the inevitable QR haters who will feel they are missing out on something.

I've just printed out a 20cm x 20cm QR with The Medway Handyman Tel: xxxxxxx Mobile: xxxxxxxx

and my phone can read it from 1 metre - any further and it has problems. This is without using the zoom on my phone camera - just a point and shoot

Using a QR tag would prompt them to get their phone out to check the tag and then perhaps photographing the van for the other forms of information.

You may not want a stuck-on (as opposed to probably painted-on) one: