We have all seen these new little bar codes invading all forms of printed and online marketing materials. QR (Quick Response) codes are a two dimensional bar code originally developed by Denso Wave (a subsidiary of Toyota) in 1994 to track vehicles during manufacturing. They can hold a relatively large amount of data and can be scanned at high speeds. In terms of practical marketing use, they have proven somewhat underwhelming in the United States, but I believe with a little style tweak via Adobe Photoshop, QR Codes can be a nice addition for re-enforcing your branding efforts. Keep in mind that 50.4% of the US population now has a QR Scanner in the form of a smartphone on them at all times (Source: http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/?p=31688).

How do I create a QR Code?

This is actually the really easy part. Create your QR Code by visiting one of the myriad QR Code generating websites online. I have a personal preference for  http://qrcode.littleidiot.be as they have a slick interface and offer a vector EPS as one of the output types. If you are creating a URL (hyperlink) QR Code it is highly recommended that you use a shortened link as the source. The least amount of data that you encode into a QR Code, the better. I have found that Bitly uses the best compression even over the Google URL Shortener (goo.gl) that has a built in QR Code Generator for their web apps.

How can I style my QR Code?

For all the following examples, I used a vector QR Code from the littlidiot link above which was imported into Adobe Photoshop as a shape layer and then stylized. All of the example QR codes work, and I invite you to try them out!

Inherently QR Codes are not the most exciting things to look at (black on white square boxes), but luckily they are very forgiving. First it is essential to understand how a QR code is “read” before starting to lay on the colors and filters:

QR Code Diagram

As you can see, the four larger boxes are used to position and align the code, while the black, white, black, white pattern is used for timing on the x and y vertices. After the reader knows the position, then the version, format, and quiet space is decoded, and finally the actual data is read.

Distorting

QR Code distorting with color gradient overlay

Turns out that those position and alignment boxes do not need to be perfect squares in order to be read. In fact, the whole QR Code can be warped to a certain degree and still be read. In this example I used a Smart Filter in Photoshop with a 35% Spherize applied (Filter > Distort > Spherize) along with a light to dark red gradient overlay and a subtle drop shadow.

Cutouts

QR Code with cutout and background pattern

Another fun thing with QR Codes is that all the data sectors do not have to be seen in order to work. In this example I inserted old John boy. You can play around with your QR Code and logo (or other brand symbol) to find the exact spot and size that works with your QR code. This does take some trail and error to get correct, so make sure to test with multiple devices and scanner applications before going to print. This design also demonstrates that you can use patterned backgrounds and inner shadows with your QR Codes.

 Adding Dimension

QR Code with heavy bevel and emboss

Even heavy filters that visually distort the actual data can be used. Here I have applied a whole litany of filters including Bevel & Emboss, a pattern overlay, and a drop shadow. I have also added an irregular background with a metal gradient that adds more distraction. This QR Code can still be easily scanned and opens the door wide for other enhancements to make QR Codes part of your branding.

What DOES NOT work

QR Codes do not work with a dark background and light foreground

At the time of writing, most QR Code Readers can only interpret “black on white” bar codes. That means that the foreground code must be darker than the background for the scanner to recognize and interpret the data. I would strongly suggest not reversing the colors as in this example unless you specifically state what operating system / device / and reader application will decode your QR code.

The NetSource design team is pleased to announce the launch of www.islandgroveagproducts.com, a new E-commerce website for Island Grove Agricultural Products.

Located near Hawthorne, Florida, Island Groves’ Nursery Division is one of Florida’s largest commercial blueberry plant producers. In addition to blueberries and other edibles, Island Groves also produces a variety of native and ornamental shrubs, palms and grasses.

www.islandgroveagproducts.com

Their new website is powered by ProductCart, the customizable, feature-rich E-commerce engine from EarlyImpact. Customers can browse or search the site’s extensive inventory to purchase edible plants which include blueberries, blackberries, figs, grapes, nectarines, peaches and pomegranates. Their selection of native and ornamental plants includes flowering perennials, native azaleas, palms, shrubs, vines and grasses such as Silver Lovegrass and Sunshine Mimosa.

NetSource Technologies is an award-winning web design, hosting, e-commerce and consulting company that has been serving Ocala and clients nationwide since 1995. Visit their web site at www.netsourceinc.com for more information on their services and to view additional client web sites.

Northwest RV Sales, of Salem, Oregon, has launched a new website using NetSource’s exclusive dealer website content management system, EZ-Site. The website features new and used RVs for sale and select RV units for rent, powered by online inventory tools from RVUSA.com.

One of Oregon’s premier family-owned RV dealerships, Northwest RV Sales offers a full range of RV repair and maintenance services. Customers can find Northwest RV Sales’ entire inventory of new and pre-owned RVs on their new website at www.northwestrvsales.com. The browser-based EZ-Site system lets the dealership staff easily update and maintain the website without the need for any special software.

www.northwestrvsales.com

Northwest RV Sales’ line-up of new RVs includes travel trailers, fifth wheels and toy haulers from Heartland RV and Forest River. They also carry pre-owned motor homes, tent trailers, hybrid trailers and popup trailers. Their service department is certified to perform a full range of warranty repair work for both Forest River and Heartland RV products.

NetSource offers specialized online solutions for RV dealers through its sister companies, RVUSA.com, a leading Recreational Vehicle classified ad website, connecting private buyers with individual sellers (FSBO) as well as nationwide RV dealers and manufacturers, and NetSource Media, focusing on online solutions for the vehicle industries.

NetSource Technologies is an award-winning web design, hosting, e-commerce and consulting company that has been serving Ocala, FL, and clients nationwide since 1995. Visit the web site at www.netsourceinc.com for more information on services and to view additional client websites.

Central Trailer Sales, of East Bethel, MN, has launched a new website using NetSource’s exclusive dealer website content management system, EZ-Site. The new website is mobile-enabled, allowing visitors to browse the company’s inventory of trailers, as well as the rest of the website, from modern mobile devices.

www.centraltrailers.com

Central Trailer Sales is one of the top Minnesota trailer dealers, and has been family owned and operated since 2004. They are a PJ Bronze Club Dealer for PJ Trailers, and one of the top 10 dealers in the nation for Stealth Trailers. Central Trailer Sales also has a full trailer service department offering hitch installations, trailer repairs and DOT inspections along with warranty work for all the trailers they sell.

Customers can find Central Trailer Sales’ entire inventory of new and pre-owned trailers on their new website at www.centraltrailers.com. In addition to PJ and Stealth trailers, their showroom also features trailers from Bear Track Trailers, Triton, H&H Trailers, Dressen Custom Trailers, Ridgeline and Smart Transport Trailers. The browser-based EZ-Site system lets the dealership staff easily update and maintain the website without the need for any special software.

NetSource offers specialized online solutions for trailer dealers through its sister companies, TrailersUSA.com, a leading classified ad website for trailer sales, and NetSource Media, which focuses on online solutions for the vehicle industries.

NetSource Technologies is an award-winning web design, hosting, e-commerce and consulting company that has been serving Ocala, FL and clients nationwide since 1995. Visit the web site at www.netsourceinc.com for more information on services and to view additional client websites.

Auto Boss, Inc. of Mesa, AZ has launched a new website using NetSource’s exclusive dealer website content management system, EZ-Site. The new website is mobile-enabled, allowing visitors to easily browse RVs and the rest of the website from modern mobile device. The animated header highlights the picturesque Arizona scenery enjoyed by their camper customers.

www.autobossrv.com

Auto Boss, Inc. is a licensed, bonded, and insured Arizona RV dealer. They have been in business and state licensed since 1996. Auto Boss sells quality pre-owned RVs, dealing mainly in low mile, low use, and extremely well cared for RVs.

Customers can find Auto Boss’ entire inventory of pre-owned RVs on their new website at www.autobossrv.com, along with coupons, specials, RV tips, customer testimonials, and more. Website management is simple with the EZ-Site content management system. The dealership staff can easily update and maintain the website anytime – even adding additional pages is a breeze.

NetSource offers specialized online solutions for RV dealers through its sister companies, RVUSA.com, a leading Recreational Vehicle classified ad website, connecting private buyers with individual sellers (FSBO) as well as nationwide RV dealers and manufacturers, and NetSource Media, focusing on online solutions for the vehicle industries.

NetSource Technologies is an award-winning web design, hosting, e-commerce and consulting company that has been serving Ocala, FL and clients nationwide since 1995. Visit the web site at www.netsourceinc.com for more information on services and to view additional client websites.

Keystone RV Center of Greencastle, PA just launched a new website, using NetSource’s exclusive dealer website system, EZ-Site. The new website is mobile-enabled, allowing visitors to easily browse RVs and the rest of the website from modern mobile device. The animated header boasts mountain views and featured RVs for sale.

www.keystonervcenter.com

This dealership has been serving customers since 1989 and has grown to a 10-acre lot. Keystone RV Center maintains about 175-250 RVs on the lot at any time. Personal service to their customers is a top priority, and the new website follows suit. KeystoneRVCenter.com allows visitors to browse RVs by type or by manufacturer – making it easy to find what they’re looking for in just a couple of clicks.

Website management is simple with the EZ-Site content management system. The dealership staff can easily update and maintain the website anytime – even adding additional pages is a breeze. Mark Thomas of Keystone RV Center said the NetSource team did everything right. “The whole team was great to work with…We are very satisfied.”

NetSource offers specialized online solutions for RV dealers through its sister companies, RVUSA.com, a leading Recreational Vehicle classified ad website, connecting private buyers with individual sellers (FSBO) as well as nationwide RV dealers and manufacturers, and NetSource Media, focusing on online solutions for the vehicle industries.

NetSource Technologies is an award-winning web design, hosting, e-commerce and consulting company that has been serving Ocala, FL and clients nationwide since 1995. Visit the web site at www.netsourceinc.com for more information on services and to view additional client websites.

The votes are all counted, and we’re please to announce yet another landslide victory for Christie with Dia de los Muertos.
Thanks to all of our customers, friends, family and colleagues for the encouraging votes.

The NetSource design team is proud to announce the launch of a redesigned website for Ocala, FL based commercial and residential roofing contractor United Roofing at www.OcalaRoofer.com.

www.OcalaRoofer.com

United Roofing has been serving the Marion County area for over 15 years and provides quality new roof installation and roof repair for shingle roofs, metal roofs, and flat or modified roofs. The website redesign focuses on continuing the branding theme currently in use with United Roofing’s marketing materials and vehicle wraps along with making online information easier to find.

NetSource Technologies is an award-winning web design, hosting, e-commerce and consulting company that has been serving Ocala and clients nationwide since 1995. Visit their web site at www.netsourceinc.com for more information on their services and to view additional client web sites.

Quora’s goal is to be able to answer questions that Google and Wikipedia can’t. They are accomplishing this goal by posting user generated questions answered by the rest of the Quora community. A rating system that pushes answers up or down depending on community agreement moves the “best” answer to the top. Currently Quora is generating a large amount of buzz online. The main reason for this buzz isn’t the concept – questions and answer sites like Yahoo! Answers have been around for years – but instead the user group is Quora’s greatest strength. It seems that very influential business owners, celebrities, and other major industry leaders are actually active Quora users. Case in point, the question “What is an ideal use case for Amazon PayPhrase?” was personally answered by Amazon CTO Werner Vogels.

Why Should I Use Quora?

1. Increase & Build Brand Equity
   So reading and answering questions on your industry is fun, but what is the benefit? Basically if you have a small to large business, Quora has already built a revered and trusted platform for you to utilize. By answering questions pertinent to your industry honestly and without blatant selling you have the opportunity to emerge as an industry leader on this still young platform. Theoretically Quora can also be used to build brand awareness, trust and evangelism as long as your answers are useful and continually voted “the best”.
2. Perform Free Market Research
   Want to know what your users think of a certain aspect of your business? There is nothing stopping you from posting a question like “What would be the best feature you could add to product x?”  You have the ability to receive free, unbiased answers from a diverse user base.
3. Increase Your Page Rank
   Quora also allows link backs to both your company and social sites via your profile which can help SEO. Quora is openly searched and indexed by Google – thus the more active your profile, the more Google will index your name and company name in relation to industry keywords. Inbound links from Quora should carry a fair amount of page rank, which can only help your rankings.

Ready to Get Started?

Currently Quora is open and free for anyone to create a personal account. Just visit www.Quora.com and sign-up. For further reading concerning the SEO potential for Quora and small business owners, I highly recommend this article from the ReachCast Blog: A Quick Guide to Quora for the Small Business Owners.

The NetSource design team is proud to announce the launch of www.Pondineer.com, a customized ProductCart online retail store for a brand new line of eco-friendly, all natural pond products.

www.Pondineer.com

Pondineer.com is designed by NetSource Technologies and is powered by ProductCart, a state-of-the-art e-commerce engine from Early Impact.
Pondineer is an innovative company manufacturing all natural, eco-friendly pond products to help pond enthusiasts maintain their ponds. Pondineer’s diverse line of products treats such common pond problems as debris, muck, excessive UV-Rays, fish stress and many others. Pondineer relied on NetSource for their custom eCommerce website along with creating and printing a detailed Product Guide for point of sale information and online reference.

NetSource Technologies is an award-winning web design, hosting, e-commerce and consulting company that has been serving Ocala and clients nationwide since 1995. Visit their web site at www.netsourceinc.com for more information on their services and to view additional client web sites.