A QR (Quick Response) code is a type of a barcode which is used to store information is a visual machine-learning format. QR Code is being used extensively in a lot of industries for various applications.

QR codes can be used effectively in marketing as well. For e.g., a URL or Visiting Card information can be stored in a QR code, which when scanned from a phone camera, can either redirect to the said URL or store personal details to your phone contacts respectively.

Let’s see the various QR code information data format which can be embedded.

1] Embed URL

A site URL or site address can be embedded into a QR code. Some of the QR code scanner application in your phones can read this QR code and automatically open up a browser redirecting to the URL that is embedded.

The QR code information data format to be embedded as URL is as follows

http://codincafe.com

https://codincafe.com

https://codincafe.com/qr-code-information-data-format

2] Send SMS

Most QR code scanning software can parse and understand information and open up the SMS app to send an SMS pre-filled with text or the phone number

The QR code information data format to be embedded as SMS is as follows

SMSTO:+1123456:This is a SMS stored in a QR Code!

SMSTO::This is a QR SMS with text only

Note: The above code is with two colons. The telephone number was not defined, hence the user can type it by himself and the SMS content will be pre-filled

SMSTO:+1123456:

Like the above example, this QR code only have the phone number. The user is free to write their own text content and the number from the QR code will be pre-filled.

3] vCard Data

vCard or VCF (Virtual Contact File), is a file format standard for electronic business cards. This can be embedded in a QR code so that when scanned, the contact information within it like name, email, phone number etc. can be parsed by a QR code scanner and can be saved in your phone or call the number etc.

Most of the QR code scanners will support vCard version 3.0 and higher.

The QR code information data format to be embedded as vCars is as follows

vCard V3.0

BEGIN:VCARD
VERSION:3.0
N:Gump;Forrest;;Mr.;
FN:Forrest Gump
ORG:Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
TITLE:Shrimp Man
PHOTO;VALUE=URI;TYPE=GIF:http://www.example.com/dir_photos/my_photo.gif
TEL;TYPE=WORK,VOICE:(111) 555-1212
TEL;TYPE=HOME,VOICE:(404) 555-1212
ADR;TYPE=WORK,PREF:;;100 Waters Edge;Baytown;LA;30314;United States of America
LABEL;TYPE=WORK,PREF:100 Waters Edge\nBaytown\, LA 30314\nUnited States of America
ADR;TYPE=HOME:;;42 Plantation St.;Baytown;LA;30314;United States of America
LABEL;TYPE=HOME:42 Plantation St.\nBaytown\, LA 30314\nUnited States of America
EMAIL:forrestgump@example.com
REV:2008-04-24T19:52:43Z
END:VCARD

vCard V4.0

BEGIN:VCARD
VERSION:4.0
N:Gump;Forrest;;Mr.;
FN:Forrest Gump
ORG:Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
TITLE:Shrimp Man
PHOTO;MEDIATYPE=image/gif:http://www.example.com/dir_photos/my_photo.gif
TEL;TYPE=work,voice;VALUE=uri:tel:+1-111-555-1212
TEL;TYPE=home,voice;VALUE=uri:tel:+1-404-555-1212
ADR;TYPE=WORK;PREF=1;LABEL="100 Waters Edge\nBaytown\, LA 30314\nUnited States of America":;;100 Waters Edge;Baytown;LA;30314;United States of America
ADR;TYPE=HOME;LABEL="42 Plantation St.\nBaytown\, LA 30314\nUnited States of America":;;42 Plantation St.;Baytown;LA;30314;United States of America
EMAIL:forrestgump@example.com
REV:20080424T195243Z
x-qq:21588891
END:VCARD