QR codes made a significant comeback in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. And now that both businesses and customers have experienced their benefits, it’s possible they’re here to stay. What are QR codes and how can your business use them? Here’s what you need to know…
What Is a QR Code?
Short for Quick Response, QR codes are a barcode that’s readable with a digital device, allowing a customer to immediately access information.
QR codes store information in a pixelated square grid that’s read in two directions—top to bottom and right to left. Quick Response codes can unify physical marketing materials with a digital presence, giving a business the ability to track customer engagement more closely.
There are two types of QR codes:
- Static QR Code: This code is fixed and uneditable, making it an ideal option for batch content like event tickets or employee IDs.
- Dynamic QR Code: This code can be edited after its creation because its information is stored in a short redirect URL. Unlike static codes, dynamic codes are smaller and easier to integrate into print materials. They also allow you to track metrics, which makes them great for data collection and analysis.
Benefits of Using QR Codes
Not sure if your business should be using QR codes? Below are some major advantages of using QR codes, including affordability, better customer experiences, and data collection.
Get More Bang for Your Buck
The cost of a QR code depends on the type you use. Both static and dynamic QR codes can be created for free, but in order to track data and edit dynamic codes after they’re created, many services will require a paid subscription. Despite this small maintenance fee, QR codes can still be a more affordable marketing solution because you don’t have to reprint materials to edit the code.
Build Brand Loyalty with Repeat Customers
Studies show increasing customer retention by as little as 5% can potentially increase profits by 95%. So how do brands build customer loyalty through QR codes? With the help of QR codes, your business can reward buyers with incentives such as customer loyalty programs, exclusive giveaways, and digital coupons.
Allow Contactless Interactions
After the COVID-19 pandemic arose in early 2020, businesses needed a way to provide customers with contactless methods for making payments, purchasing tickets, viewing menus, and more. That’s where QR codes came in handy. Now, with a simple scan of a QR code, customers can easily access information without having to touch surfaces or talk in person with a business representative.
Collect First-Party Data
Dynamic QR codes can capture important analytics to help you determine the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns. When scanned, these codes record when and where the scan took place, as well as what device scanned the code, and if the scan lead to any additional app or product downloads. This is excellent insight for businesses looking to learn more about who their customers are and how they’re interacting with products and services.
Prompt Customers to Review Products
By making business reviews more convenient for customers, you may have more customers willing to share their feedback. Rating QR codes and feedback QR codes can bring customers directly to the reviews section of your website. By providing a customizable QR code on a receipt, email, sign at the checkout line, or Thank You card, customers can quickly and easily rate products and services.
How Businesses Can Use QR Codes
With QR codes, you can provide your customers with quick access to information about your products or services. Here are some ways your business could implement QR codes into your marketing strategy.
Payment Method
Businesses can use QR codes for in-store transactions, whether consumers pay with major credit cards or online payment services. In the last few years, the use of contactless payments has risen 150%, so major retailers have capitalized on this trend to support the growing demand from customers. In fact, CVS became the first retailer to offer contactless payments through PayPal and Venmo in 2020.
Coupons & Giveaways
With 90% of consumers reporting they used coupons in 2020, digital coupons are one of the best ways to attract new and returning customers! When paired with QR codes, digital coupons can give you customer insights and even help with retargeting ads on social media. QR codes also make it easier for customers to keep track of their rewards through tiered and QR-based loyalty programs like McDonald’s McCafe Rewards or Sephora’s Beauty Insider Program, which in turn makes them more likely to return to your business.
App Downloads
QR codes are also a great marketing tool for boosting app downloads. Instead of spending time searching app stores, customers can quickly scan your QR code and download your business’ app. QR codes can even direct your users to the correct store, depending on if they use an iPhone or Android device.
Location Sharing
Increase in-store traffic by providing your customers with a QR code they can scan to get your business location. You can create a Google Map QR Code, an Apple Maps QR code, or a Waze QR code to help your customers easily find your business whenever they’re looking for local services.
Instagram Nametag
Increase followers on your business’ Instagram page by creating a Nametag. This fully customizable QR code from Instagram provides customers with easy access to your business profile. Whether posted on your storefront, print materials, or website, this QR code effectively drives engagement. You can even put your QR code on other social media profiles so users can quickly find all of your social media accounts.
Virtual Contact Information
Easily share your business contact information by providing your customers with a vCard. A vCard is customizable with your business color and logo. When customers scan the vCard QR code, they’re given your business’ contact number, email address, store address, and social media handles.
Augmented Reality
Consumers are already using QR codes on a regular basis, so why not take it one step further and launch your customers into Augmented Reality (AR)? This makes scanning your QR code fun and can even build brand awareness in an engaging way. When customers scan the code, they’re taken to an interactive marketing campaign, whether it’s web-based Augmented Reality (WebAR), 3D interactive experience, QR code scavenger hunt, or in a game.
Interested in using QR codes? Hurrdat Marketing can help you create QR codes to complement your social media marketing strategy, online campaigns, e-commerce website, and more. Reach out today to learn more!
