Get The Most Out Of Quick Response Codes

You've probably seen them before, those square bar codes on billboards and advertisements.

They're called QR or "quick response" codes.

But do you know what they actually do?

FOX's Brenda Flanagan hit the streets to see who's up on this latest trend, why it's creating so much buzz, and how you can make them work for you.

She found that a lot of people have come across those pixilated squares, found on business cards, buildings and magazine or newspaper fliers, but they just don't know what they are.

Emily Glazer of The Wall Street Journal says that companies and businesses are turning to mobile marketing to reach customers and even offer incentives for shoppers through these quick response codes.

"There's a lot of different ways that companies are using them, and they might do it to get a discount," Glazer said. "They might do it to connect with contact information, or you can even sometimes order a product."

So, how do they work? First you have to visit your smartphone's app store and download a QR scanner. Don't worry – it's free.

Next, when you see a code you want to open, you simply launch the scanner application, hold your phone up to the barcode so that all 4 corners fit into the box and your phone will automatically scan the code and prompt you to open the web content it's associated with.

"It takes two seconds. It's like if you take a photo with your smartphone. Just like that, instead of a photo of the product, something completely now and different pops up. It'll surprise you in a good way."

And the best surprise is that businesses are using them to save you money!

"It's a give and take. Consumer benefits and I benefit," said Yolanda Russo, a salon owner who uses quick response codes to increase her clientele while offering customers discounts.

"My code is going to have information to sign up for our VIP promotions and receive 30 percent off of your facial," Russo said.

And the business benefits from the code, too.

"On average, there is a 20-percent increase in sales every time i run the campaign," Russo said.

And your business can benefit, too. The codes are free to generate online. Simply search "QR codes" in your computer's search engine. Copy in the website or information you want embedded in your code, and in no time you have a QR code to help you reach consumers, Flanagan reported.