QR codes
A new idea in modern times on advertisements, on the metro especially,
is to provide a QR code for the potential customer to scan. Have your
even seen anyone scan one? No, I didn't think so. The advertiser has
stacked several things against himself: 1) the potential customer must
have has phone or similar device on him, 2) this device must a camera,
3) it must have software on it that can be used to scan and decode
QR codes, 4) the potential customer know how to use it, 5) he musts
unlock his phone (this can be particularly burdensome if he uses a
proper password, which some companies actually require from the employees
on the company phone), 6) the potential customer must be close enough
to scan it or walk up to it, and 7) the potential customer must not be
embarrassed to do so. This could all be fixed by the advertiser adding
a short, memorable URL code, that is readable from a distance, under
the QR-code, but this is exceptionally rare, and the advertiser instead
solely rely on what is the current fashion. This is particularly
problematic when conduction research as it with filter out anyone that
is not able or motivated to scan the QR code.