Google – To Text or Not To Text?

Google recently launched a pretty cool program that links online content to real world locations with their new QR-code based program, “Favorite Places on Google.”

For the program, Google identified the 100,000 most searched stores in the US and provided those stores with a barcode to place on their windows. Consumers can now scan the barcode with their cell phones to get more information on the business, including reviews, coupons, or an option to review the business. The program is based around Google’s “Local Business Center.”

You can read about it on MobiADNews here.

Obviously there is one big problem with the program – only people with barcode readers installed on their phones can use it.

Sure, more and more people are buying smart phones and utilizing App stores, but how many are really using barcode readers? Wouldn’t it be smarter to incorporate a messaging side to this program so all 270 million mobile subscribers can participate?

The Company currently has a popular SMS option in place that allows consumers to text in the name of a location to 466453 (Google) and receive a message back with the business’ address and phone number. Why not take this option to the next level? Decals could continue to have the barcode but also include a keyword and a Google short code. Any costs could be offset by selling the messaging costs back to the businesses.

After all, Google’s mission is “to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.” Wouldn’t making the “Favorite Places on Google” accessible via SMS make the information more universally accessible?

Not to mention, SMS could be another potential revenue stream for them by selling mobile messaging packages into the SMB market.