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Adam Conn, Technical Architect

Tracking Across Channels Using QR Codes

By Adam Conn, July 05, 2011 | Rating:  | Comments (5)

QR code

Today Sitecore announced its aquisition of Pectora, a company that has developed a really stunning integration with Adobe InDesign.  One of the quotes from the press release is "a consumer can read a printed piece of collateral or signage, scan it with a smartphone camera and be automatically brought to a relevant Web page for a mobile experience, while tracking the campaign performance for the marketer." In this post I will explain how you can use QR codes to do this.

QR codes provide a convenient way for people to pursue additional information regarding just about anything. No doubt you've seen QR codes printed on product labels, on billboards and in magazines. Generating a QR code that points to a Sitecore item - and includes a reference to a campaign so you can track the effectiveness of the campaign - is as simple as adding a rendering using the Page Editor.

 QR code module in action

In order to do this, first you need to install the QR Code module. This module adds a rendering that generates a QR code. The rendering is available at Renderings > Modules > QR Code Module > QR Code Control.

QR code rendering

After you add the rendering to a placeholder you need to edit the rendering properties. This will allow you to specify which item the QR code points to, along with some other properties such as the campaign you want to use for tracking, and the size and color of the QR code.

QR code rendering properties

It's that easy. Even with really slow network connection you should be able to add QR codes to your site within 15 minutes.

Tags: Online Campaigns

Comments

  • Great stuff, Adam.

    - Alexey Rusakov
    October 19, 2011 at 3:14 AM

  • Quick question - what is the print capability with these renderings? Can they be saved as pdfs for printing on paper docs (i.e. business cards, posters, etc)? Most marketing campaigns will have a percentage of their product in print form and will need to be able to add the QR quickly and easily to their product.

    - Leandra Schrag
    January 31, 2012 at 7:20 AM

  • Leandra, where you ever able to get an answer to your question?

    - Keith Atkinson
    May 31, 2012 at 1:37 AM

  • no answer receievd re: the QR being saved to a printable pdf.

    - Leandra Schrag
    May 31, 2012 at 7:51 AM

  • Hi Keith and Leandra,

    Yes, these renderings can be included in PDFs.

    If you use InDesign I recommend taking a look at Adaptive Print Studio (http://www.sitecore.net/Products/Digital-Marketing-System/Adaptive-Print-Studio.aspx).

    - Adam Conn
    May 31, 2012 at 7:59 AM

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