Since when did you know about QR codes? Well, this might surprise you, but QR codes have been around since 1994. They were developed and officially released by 2 engineers at Denso Wave. Its first application was in an auto industry in Japan.
QR codes were inventory trackers for automotive parts. Although they all look identical to their standard black-and-white barcodes, QR codes are customisable with brand designs.
In 2020, the unfortunate turn of events of the global pandemic had resurfaced the essence of QR codes. But today, it is used more often in marketing.
People scan QR codes to make payments, have details about a product, or write a product review.
QR Codes: What are they?
QR is an acronym for Quick Response. QR codes is a 2D matrix barcode that stores more information than the regular barcode. It can store more than 7,000 characters and read the data more than 10 times faster.
When creating these QR codes, it is essential to know that encoding more information will make the code larger and more complex. These codes are permanent as long as the landing page or action is available. Thus, they are purposely made for the public’s use. With this intention, it was added to the ISO standard in 2000. Moreover, smartphone cameras and applications were developed to have the capability to read them.
QR codes are widely accessible by people around the globe. People or consumers only need their smartphone with a camera or application that can read the QR code.
How Are QR Codes Relevant to Business Marketing?
You can easily incorporate a well-developed QR code into your marketing campaign. You can even use it daily for your business. There are two types of QR codes, static codes, and dynamic codes. Static QR codes are the hard-coded ones, and they are often used for tasks. When you scan a static QR, it will redirect you to tasks such as sharing contact information or email address.
Meanwhile, dynamic QR codes are different. It does not store data but instead redirects you to a linked media. It can be a webpage, an event page, a coupon, a PDF, and the like. If you want to change the content on the linked media, you do not have to regenerate a new code. Thus, making dynamic codes the best for marketing campaigns.
According to a survey in 2020, there’s almost a 32% rise in the use of scanned QR codes. Most of these scans happened in restaurants, cafes, bars, retail shops, and consumer products.
It’s been quite used a couple of months because of the limiting contact between people due to the pandemic. Thus, QR codes have been recently favoured and frequently used in businesses.
How to Use QR Codes in Marketing?
You can use QR codes to heed your marketing efforts. These are some of the ways on how you can incorporate the QR code:
Social Media Accounts
Today, social media platforms offer account QR codes that you can customise. When people scan the code, it will direct them to your profile. Each social media platform has its own customisation features. You can incorporate your brand colour and design the code as you like.
In this example, YG BUDOL PH asked their customers to follow their Twitter for more updates.
Coupon Discount or Host a Giveaway
If there’s one thing customers love most, it is a good deal. You can post QR codes on social media or at your store with a linked coupon. When your customers scan the code, your customers are directed to a discount code or coupon in your app or website.
It is convenient for shoppers to scan codes instead of coupons. They do not have to bring or cut out the coupons to avail them! It’s a great and convenient way to reach more customers or increase brand loyalty.
Share Products or Services
Businesses were taking a hit when owners made a creative move in navigating the touchless technology. QR codes are made to redirect businesses to their social media accounts or website. If you apply this for your business and lead your customers to a webpage, you can update the page without generating a new code.
Moreover, you can use the QR code to provide more information about your product or service. Place the QR code on the product packaging and encourage the customers to know more about the product. You can direct them to a start guide, tutorial video, or important information about your product or service.
QR codes in packaging cut down the potential paper waste and free up space for other designs. You do not have to reprint quick guide booklets!
Ask for Reviews or Feedback
Feedback and reviews from customers are of utmost importance for businesses. Although there are times customer feedback is challenging, it will help you improve your services. Thus, businesses ask for reviews.
Track and Measure the Success of QR Codes
It’s pretty easy to create and customise QR codes because of the free online QR code generators. Meanwhile, some QR generators have locked features. If you are willing to pay for their plan, you can unlock them.
If you plan to use your QR code for your multichannel marketing campaign, it is best to invest in software. QR codes generated in this software can provide data beyond the number of scans. Moreover, you will have data on the operating system they use when scanning and the date of their scans. Thus, you can track the activities of the QR code in real-time.
Final Thoughts
The resurgence of QR codes has put it into good use, especially in this global pandemic. QR codes are convenient to scan, highly customisable to have an appealing visual. For businesses, it is pretty easy to incorporate this contactless technology into their marketing funnel.
Since using QR codes for business is a great help, you have to follow the best practices to benefit from it continuously.
- Use its purpose: Ensure that you are using it on purpose and aid your marketing strategy. Do not use it because it is a trend.
- Create a unique design: Let’s be honest, the black-and-white and basic square style of QR codes is not enticing. You can customise its layout to give it a unique one.
- Add a CTA: Place a call-to-action near the code to signal visitors what it is for.
- Track the codes: Your marketing campaign will turn into waste if you do not track and monitor your code. Periodically check the progress to see if the campaign is a success.
Getting ready to incorporate QR codes into your marketing strategy? You should be! But, if you are hesitant about where to start, try out with your content. There are several types of social media content you can embed your QR code with.
