QR codes are becoming an increasingly popular way to get information on places or products in the real world, including restaurants, historical landmarks and more.

But even though an estimated 14 million Americans scanned a QR code last June, the technology has yet to go mainstream. A Seattle startup by the name of Dynotag is hoping to change that, making it simple for the layperson to set up a QR tag and place it on a variety of personal products. (Think luggage, a pet’s collar or a mobile phone).

“We started with a simple question: ‘Why can’t someone quickly create a tag linked to online content they create?’” said Dynotag CEO Murat Divringi, a software engineer who previously worked at CacheFlow and Emulex Network Systems.

Divringi, a Seattle area angel investor, is bankrolling the startup himself. Based in Seattle, it currently has two full time staffers, plus a network of contractors working on the project.

Dynotags are free to create and use, with the links in the QR code taking users to a variety of content forms, including Facebook pages, online coupons, video messages, etc.

The company is also offering premium tags for $4.99 or 20 tags for $49.99. Those tags include additional customization, more storage, PIN numbers and the ability to receive a notification in case someone actually reads the tag.

We’ve seen a number of Seattle area startups look to capitalize on the growth of QR codes, including mobile app Pirq and business review site Judy’s Book. Seattle’s PetHub.com also uses QR codes to help track down lost dogs and cats.

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