The modern world is witnessing a rise in QR codes. However, there’s nothing new about QR codes. Even though most people use them and can see them almost everywhere- from resumes and receipts to marketing materials people still do not understand how QR codes work or their uses for marketing strategies and businesses.
In this guide, we will learn all about QR Codes and how you can use QR codes for a better marketing strategy that reaches, engages, and converts your audience.
How Do QR Codes Work?
When you have a smartphone with a camera and an app for a QR Code reader, you can scan the code to start using the QR Code. Apps like these can be downloaded for free from platforms like the iPhone and Android. You can also use a QR code generator if you like.
Information scanned by a device’s camera is converted to usable information, for example, text messages or a mobile web page.
How would QR Codes work for marketing purposes?
QR codes can be used in many different kinds of marketing and promotional settings in some very useful ways. QR Codes can be added to almost any printed material, for example:
- Brochures, Flyers, and Posters
- Conference/Event Displays
- Business Cards
- Print Advertisements
- Postcards and Mailers
What Can a QR Code Do?
A QR code can be scanned to reveal information that can be used to automatically launch some functions on the user’s device, such as:
- View a landing page or mobile site
- Make a Call to a Number associated with the QR Code
- Send a Text Message
- Send an Email
- Check out a Message or Offer
- Download Contact Information (VCARD)
- View a location on Google Maps
- Check out a social media profile
What are some of the other benefits of using QR Codes?
- User Convenience – A QR Code can take a user directly to a website, phone number, directions, special offers, or other information in one step. That “one step,” i.e., the scanning process itself, is quick and easy, as it only requires the user to open an online QR code reader and submit an image of the code to it.
2. Environmentally-Friendly – Using QR Codes can reduce waste and make printed materials more effective.
3. Cost-Effective – QR Codes are free to produce; the only thing that limits their use is your marketing strategy.
4. Versatile – All types of marketing materials – print collateral, outdoor display, direct mail, among others – can be integrated with QR Codes for almost any purpose.
5. Device Independent – Apps are developed specifically for the platform and can be either an iPhone app or an Android app. QR codes and their landing pages, however, can be viewed on all popular smartphone models.
6. Measurable – Web analytics and other marketing campaign measurement tools can be used to track actions brought about by QR Codes.
7. Competitive Differentiation – Because QR Codes are still a relatively new technology in the United States, those who use them in their outreach campaigns first will distinguish themselves as innovators in strategic marketing.
How to utilize QR codes for a better marketing strategy?
Some of the strategies for QR code maximization to accurately track the effectiveness of your marketing campaign include the following:
1. Direct clients to a landing page or website
Any landing page and website can be scanned through a QR code, including a signup page. This means you won’t have to deal with the hassle of opening the website and the way it navigates the page.
Use a unique URL that has been matched to measure your QR code correctly.
2. Call your business number
You will certainly be interacting and engaging with a crowd at business conferences. Since you will use QR codes for your booth or station, your interested business partners can just scan the code to get information about your company, including your business phone number. In some cases, you can also alter your QR code so that it can directly dial the recipient’s phone number.
3. Send a message
The best way to use SMS marketing is to send messages through QR codes. You can use this in sales, customer service, on-demand product upgrades, and even in SMS registration with consent.
4. Email
Just like in sending messages, QR emails will allow you to read and track information on newsletters, email marketing, and performance rates for your emails like open and bounce rates.
In addition, the user can read the same email on his phone by scanning the QR code. This will allow anyone, anywhere to access your email.
5. Download apps
The QR code will take you to the download page of the app and start downloading it once you scan it. Businesses have been creative in making their QR codes attractive. Famous apps such as Angry Birds have used QR codes in their marketing campaigns.
Another thing is that apps themselves can use QR codes to promote community engagement. Snapchat and some social media apps have created unique QR codes so that users can easily add one another.
Keeping up with that, Spotify recently made the QR codes for their music available. Now, users can share or recommend their music to others by simply scanning a QR code, and it will instantly show up on their device.
6. View the business location
The QR code can lead people directly to the exact location of your company instead of using the internet to search for the address. All they need to do is whip out their mobile phone and scan the QR Code on your website.
7. Consumer directs them to social media pages
For example, if a user loved your product or service, they could subscribe to your social media pages for more updates. They might even get a discount or promotion when they use the same QR code to follow you on social media.
8. Shopping and E-commerce
Probably the most common application is that businesses use QR codes for discounts and promotions. The customer can also access the receipt or menu on his phone by providing a distinctive QR code.
Keep all these points in mind, and with a clear call-to-action (CTA), you will be able to set up QR codes correctly for your marketing strategy. It shouldn’t be left to the user to know what to do with your QR code.
Another limitation of QR codes is that it requires internet connectivity. First, ensure that using QR codes in such an environment is idle before using them.
To learn more about how you can measure the performance of your marketing campaigns using QR Codes, check out Trackier’s industry-leading attribution solutions and get a free trial today!
