If you really want to know more, buckle in. To create a QR, first figure out the phrase you want to generate. Links work best, and some better than others, but any phrase can be used to do tons of different things. After getting the phrase down, its time for the algorithms.
This algorithm gets the amount of characters in the phrase, like letters or numbers, and converts that number to its binary (binary meaning the One's and Zero's computers read) counterpart before saving. Next is changing all characters into their ISO-8859-1 number, just a standard to label each character computers use. Those numbers are also converted to a binary string and saved. The two binary strings are adding as one, then capped with some more binary to let the computer know the string has ended.
Now for the real math. Using the Reed-Solomon error correction algorithm it; multiplies each bit of 8 bytes by its reversed order number in the total string of bits. Then does polynomial long division to stabilize those numbers to be less than 8 or 16 bytes in length.
It takes any format information and its error code and those run through another algorithm, a BCH code (Bose-Chaudhuri-Hocquenghem codes) which form cylical error-correcting codes using polynomials over a finite field, basically a system that can figure out which bits are messed up if any. Finally those One's and Zero's from the binary string are converted to black(one) and white(zero). They're placed in an alternating zig-zag pattern, starting from the bottom right, up, left one pattern space, and back down. this repeats across the whole QR.
But it's possible that the strings will overlap information, or put squares together for large same-colored blobs, or even confusing patterns for a camera. If any blobs are created, theres several 'mask' systems that can be employed to invert colors without losing the information behind them. After all this your QR is finally ready to scan!
Everytime different content is used to generate a QR, and completely unique QR will be made. That design can even change based on slight alterations to the algorithms, masks, or error correction that the programmer used for all these algoritms. This means that QRs from one generator may look different from another.
Really this means for CentexQR that comes with Usage Data, it will be completely different, but open the same content. Simple QRs can be used forever, permanetely, but Usage Data QRs CentexQRs carry more than just a link to some content, they carry unique information that may change on each new CentexQR. CentexQRs don't last forever either, once the service is over, the QR will no longer work, but you'll have loads of valuable data to use.
QRs work best as a bridge from the physical to the digital. The web is full of amazing pages, and maybe your business is one of those, but typing in a link is tedious and cumbersome. Especially if that link is long and confusing.
QRs take away that barrier, giving instant access to the most intricate links without worrying if the customer can get there. This is applied in a myriad of ways;
Connecting to Wifi(even without inputting a password!), opening a social media page, sharing a youtube video without having to send a link, more secure coupon campaigns, instant sign up or registering, and so much more! If it can be linked, it can be QR'd!
QR safety is a tricky topic. Just because its a QR, that doesn't mean the link you'll be going to is safe. That doesn't mean you can't take precautions against malicious QR use. Here's a list of things to keep you safe when scanning;
1. Make sure the QR is on a platform you trust. It could be a local newspaper, a physical location like a business or resturant, adspace like billboards or TV ads. I recommend against scanning QRs placed by ad services online like google adsense, as those may be malicious even on sites like MSN, CNN, or FOX.
2. Does the link opened resemble the business? This is generally a given, but many scam website do a lot of work to look very similar to the real deal. If you're not sure, check between the www and the .com/.net for any extra periods, out of place letters or misspellings.
3. Don't click any popups! Only when it explicity describes its use, and its passed the two steps above, should you. Almost all scams only work if you click where they want you to, and even then phones have great security against it.
Thats it! There's not much to it and as long as you trust where you scan it from, you should be good.
Depending on the option you choose, CentexQRs works with you to create a cohesive QR or QR and Hosted platform, to deliver a seamless experience for your customer. In-person works best but over email, text, or phone can work too.
For standard QRs, your benefit is not having to worry about the details. Tell me colors, design, and logo placement, and you've got a QR that same day. Now I won't lie or fib, you get similar features to a online QR generator. Color, square rounding, central logo, and a basic link where you want.
Advanced QRs is where CentexQRs steps your QR up to the next level. We work with you to integrate your existing logo into a QR in the best form possible. A completely unique design, made just for you or your business.
For standard hosted platforms, youre given 4 choices of any colors to create a theme for the platform, then choose what customizable options you want. These options differ between platforms, but it boils down to social buttons to display, feedback questions with ratings, or Adspace with pictures and calls to actions.
For advanced hosted platforms, you get a completely custom made platform of your choosing. Ideally this fits into one of the three categories(Media, Feedback, or Adspace), but it can be combined, mix and matched, whatever you want. The sky is the limit for what you want to show off!
Unique Customizations
The standard customization items are already quite good, a background color, and three colors of your choosing which go over; form foreground, input box colors, border colors, a main text and sub text color, and finally a picture of your choosing. Unique options are for when you want a unique animation on open, customize the look of your star rating, a repeating background image, or more lightweight animations.
CentexQRs takes the worry, stress, and work out of giving your business an online platform. Creating even a simple website for your business can be tricky and tedious by yourself, and expensive if contracted out.
Let CentexQRs give you the simple experience your customers need, for a simple price, without having to take time away from managing your business, but still get all the valuable business data that comes from an online platform.
To be upfront, the link you get won't be www.yourbusiness.com, but www.centexqrs.com/yourservice/yourbusiness. This means CentexQR platforms work best when combined with a QR, to hide that longer link.
Our usage data is the real secret sauce of CentexQRs. Our standard package empowers your QR with special metadata that allows tons of information to be saved an analyzed. Things like how many times each QR was scanned, the date and time, and where it was scanned from.
Upgrading to the advanced package adds things like conversion rates for coupons, time spent on the site, amount of unique uses, and tons more. We can even work with you to come up with new possibilites.
All data is analyzed how you want it, and emailed to you when you want it. No need to sift through charts and numbers to get the info that drives your business, let CentexQRs handle it while you decide your next steps.
Repeated Scans
This allows a QR to stay the same, while registering unique IDs to each device it was scanned from. This differentiates from single scans versus multiple scans from the same device and gives you that data. Great for seeing how many total people have scanned and how many times they scan on average.
Conversion Rate
Let’s say a customer chooses to scan to open any hosted option. How long do they stay on the page? Do they complete the form, or leave before sending it? Which social media do customers tend to click on most? Conversion rates give you important data on these points, and help pivot to a more successful online space.
Storage Duration
By default all data is stored for two months in the case that you want to review past data. Those two months is determined from when that data is saved, not when your service starts. So if your service started on 1/1 and you paid for an extra three months of service, after five months on 5/1 any data saved on 1/1, will begin being deleted. Thus any data saved on 4/31 will be deleted after five months still, giving final data points to 10/1 until they are deleted.
Confirm Follows
This goes along with follow through rates. When customers successfully follow you on most social medias, it will be registered to their page, and can give discounts or coupons based on how many they have followed.
Private Wifi
When you want a secure wifi that others near you cant access, but still want customers to have wifi. Allows the automatic input of a password when scanning the QR, so you don’t have to give it out, but it stays secure and among your customers only. To achieve this CentexQRs will need information about your wifi provider, as well as the password to it of course.