Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use multiple types of Mobile Tag (MS Tag, QRCode, Datamarix, HardLink Code) for a campaign or do I need to select one only?

One of the key reasons to use HardLink is to avoid the need to choose just one type of Mobile Tag. HardLink campaigns are made up of any number of Campaign Items, each of which automatically has a QR Code, Microsoft Tag, Datamatrix and Short URL generated as soon as you create the Item. So, you can mix and match any type of Mobile Tag and our reporting will even tell you which types are the most used!

What is the difference between the various types of Mobile Tag

QR Codes, Microsoft Tags and Datamatrix codes all perform the same basic function – they join the real world to the virtual. However, they are quite different in appearance and are also best suited for different types of campaign.

QR Codes are the most recognised 2D barcode format in the world. They are ubiquitous in Japan and are rapidly expanding throughout western countries. There is a huge range of QR Code readers available for pretty much every device on the market. Furthermore, QR Code readers are available for desktop devices such as PCs. QR Codes are a true go-anywhere format with huge worldwide penetration.

Microsoft Tags are a relative newcomer to the 2D barcode scene having only been released in January 2009. Designed from the ground up to work well with the limited capabilities of mobile device cameras, they are extremely easy to Snap because their design is far less ‘busy’ than QR or Datamatrix equivalents. Microsoft Tags support colour and black-and-white versions and can be heavily branded making them less of a distraction when used on product packaging.

Microsoft has released a Microsoft Tag reader for the vast majority of mobile devices meaning that the user experience is virtually uniform across all devices. Although Microsoft Tags are rapidly growing in popularity, they are not at the penetration level of QR codes – yet.

Datamatrix codes are used most commonly in industrial and logistics environments. Many mobile device QR Code readers can also read Datamatrix codes. If you are already using Datamatrix codes in your business processes then they are a good choice to add on further Line of Business functionality – however, they’ve not been embraced by the public.

What software do users need to Snap the different types of Mobile Tag?

There are good QR Code and Datamatrix readers available from multiple different vendors for virtually every make of phone. We recommend iNigma and ScanLife for QR Code and Datamatrix purposes.

Microsoft makes the Microsoft Tag Reader and it’s available for the vast majority of phones released over the last few years.

Use your phone’s browser and go to http://gethardlink.mobi to install a Tag Reader on your phone

What happens at the end of my trial period?

At the end of your trial period you must decide to either continue to use HardLink by paying our normal usage-based charges, or stop using HardLink.

If you stop using HardLink then your account will be deactivated which will mean any Mobile Tags you created will also be deactivated (they will point to a HardLink holding page).

We are looking at introducing an ad-supported free version of HardLink in the near future.

There is an option to make my campaigns public, what does that mean?

Any Snaps on public Campaign Items in public Campaigns are shared on Twitter under our @HardLinkLive account. This gives your content immediate Social Media exposure to an audience that is probably well beyond the reach of your printed material. Also, multiple Search Engines crawl our Twitter feed meaning that your content will benefit from better search engine ranking.

Check out what’s happening on @HardLinkLive now – http://twitter.com/#!/hardlinklive

Am I able to change where my Mobile Tag points to after it has gone live?

Absolutely – you can change where any of your Mobile Tags point at any time by just using the HardLink portal. Any changes are immediately effective. This means you can easily print your Mobile Tag on thousands of posters, alter the target in HardLink and every one of those Mobile Tags now points somewhere else. Great for monthly content updates or to fix that typo that somehow crept in!

What is a Well Known Device and how do I use it?

HardLink is unique in that it allows you to register any number of mobile devices to your HardLink account as ‘Well Known Devices’ and treat these devices differently from unknown public devices. For example, you could deliver a normal marketing site to members of the public that Snapped one of your tags but a Snap on the same Tag by a Well Known Device could display real-time statistics (all built in to HardLink) or a completely different site. This is very useful when you want marketing messages to go out to your customers but your staff should be able to see more detailed company-restricted information about Tagged items.

What does a free trial account give me?

A free trial account gives you everything that a full HardLink account offers (with the only restriction being a reasonable use policy).

HardLink makes it easy to create and run a real-to-virtual campaign using QR Code, Microsoft Tag, Datamatrix 2D barcode formats as well as shortened URLs. Full reporting is built in as well as an easy-to-use API. Well Known Devices, a full security layer and global scale just add to the HardLink goodness!

How many Tags can I create?

You can create any number of Mobile Tags (and all for free).

Is there any limit to the number of Snaps?

While HardLink has no limit to the number of Snaps it supports, we do impose a ‘reasonable use’ policy on free trial accounts.

What is a Tag (QR/MS/Datamatrix etc)?

Mobile tags are 2D barcodes that allow you to easily link your real-world printed material to rich and engaging experiences that live in the online world.

QR Codes, Microsoft Tags and Datamatrix codes are all examples of different 2D barcode formats.

HardLink makes it easy to create and run a real-to-virtual campaign using QR Code, Microsoft Tag, Datamatrix 2D barcode formats as well as shortened URLs. Full reporting is built in as well as an easy-to-use API. Well Known Devices, a full security layer and global scale just add to the HardLink goodness!

Do you have an API available?

Yes – we have a full API that can be used to integrate your in-house systems with HardLink. You can fully manage an entire Mobile tagging campaign using the API.