You may have seen the news that Royal Mail are digitally transforming the humble postage stamp.
Today sees the launch of QR codes on UK stamps, allowing people to scan the codes using the Royal Mail app and watch an animated video.
The animation has been created by legendary animation studio Aardman specifically for Royal Mail, and those that purchase the stamps will also be able to specifically choose which video their recipient sees when they scan the code.
Royal Mail’s chief commercial officer Nick Landon said: “Introducing unique codes on our postage stamps allows us to connect the physical letter with the digital world and opens up the possibilities for a range of new innovative services in future."
The world's first adhesive stamp was issued in the UK back in 1840, and it’s great to see long-established, traditional companies like Royal Mail adopting digital technology and allowing customers to experience the best of both worlds.
When QR (quick response) codes were first released, many consumers and experts questioned their value, seeing the feature as more of a gimmick than a useful tool.
But opinions were quickly turned on their heads with the impact of the pandemic, when people were forced to maintain distance and minimise human interaction wherever possible.
Restaurants and bars were the most visible examples of this, as customers scanned a QR code in order to access menus and the order/payment function.
For early adopters it was only a matter of time before the true value of QR codes was recognised, and we’re now seeing an influx of businesses who want to utilise the technology.
Contactless technology, digital transformation and utilising the functionality of QR codes can prove invaluable to businesses, with mobile applications suitable for a range of uses.
As well as making processes exponentially easier for the end user, QR codes also improve conversions for businesses where the original manual process would be considerably slower.
We develop web and native mobile applications that incorporate this functionality and make a real difference for both client and consumer. QR codes - when combined with the power of modern API technologies - allow us to initiate digital transactions more easily than ever before.
Get in touch with the Ascensor team and discover how we can help your business grow with social media marketing.
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