QR Codes Marketing
Read below seven ways QR codes can help your business grow.
What Are QR Codes and How Can They Help Your Business Grow
Below are some ways you can use QR codes to help grow your business
1. Direct customers to a landing page/website
Scanning a QR code can lead to a signup page or any landing page/website. This removes the hassle of going through the process of accessing the website and navigating your way around the page.
Make sure that you use a unique URL matched with your QR code to measure it accurately.
2. Dial your business number
In business conferences, you’ll surely engage and interact with a crowd. If you use QR codes for your booth or station, then interested business partners can just scan the code and receive your business details such as your business contact number. Sometimes, you can even tweak the QR code to dial the number on the receiver’s phone directly.
3. Send a message
This is exciting because the user will only receive the message once the QR code has been scanned. Sending messages through QR codes benefits SMS marketing the most. It can be used for sales, user support, on-request product upgrades, and opt-in SMS registration.
4. Download apps
Once you’ve scanned the QR code, it will direct you to the download page of the app and start the download. Businesses have used their creativity to make their QR codes eye-catching. Popular apps such as Angry Birds have used QR codes for their marketing campaign.
Furthermore, apps themselves sometimes use QR codes to foster engagement inside their community. Social media apps like Snapchat have created unique QR codes for their users to add people easily.
In line with that, Spotify has recently released QR codes for their songs. Users can now share or recommend their music by simply scanning the QR code, and it’ll automatically appear on the other person’s device.
5. View business location
If your website visitor wants to drop by your office, they can just pull out their phone and scan the QR code on your website. Instead of manually searching for the address on online maps, the QR code can give specific directions to your business location.
6. Direct customers to social media pages
As an example, if a user liked your product or service so much, they can follow your social media pages for more updates. Sometimes, they can even score a discount or promo if they followed your social media through that same QR code.
With all these in mind, you can properly set up QR codes for your marketing strategy as long as you provide a clear call-to-action (CTA). The user shouldn’t have to guess what to do with your QR code.
Source: Smart Insight
Important To Know There Are Two Types Of QR Code
This type of QR Code is used by many restaurants to encourage engagement with their business.
Also, static QR Codes do NOT give you statistics of how many people scanned your QR Codes, and on what date.
I recommend that you always use dynamic QR Codes in your marketing. Beware, free QR Codes generators usually create Static QR Codes.
Where (& how!) small businesses can use QR codes
Over the last year, safety has been top of mind for business owners all over the world – and we’ve seen quick response (or QR) codes make a comeback as part of this pivot. Whether for contactless restaurant menus or touch-free transactions, QR codes are now easier than ever to use. With most smartphones, you just need to position the code within your camera and a URL will automatically generate.
When it comes to your small businesses, there are a lot of places you can add a QR code…including on everyday marketing materials like these:
- Business cards
- Car magnets
- Window decals
- Sheet stickers
- Signicades
- Vinyl banners
- Outdoor posters
- Tabletop retractable banners
Where is the best place to use a QR code – and what type of QR-coded product is best for your small business?
The best place to use a QR code depends on what kind of business you run – and what you want your QR code to link to. Whether you want to use QR codes to accept payment, give customers more information, or streamline your services, here are some QR code use ideas (and product suggestions) based on various types of small businesses.
For Restaurant owners
Does your restaurant offer curbside pickup? Include a scannable QR code in the order confirmation email you send to customers – when they arrive to pick up their order, you can scan it to create a streamlined pickup process.
One of the most popular ways we’ve seen QR codes make a comeback is through contact-free restaurant menus. If you haven’t already, set one up for your eatery and display it in a prominent, easy-to-scan location – may be on a tabletop retractable banner, a window decal on your front door, or a banner by the take-out counter.
For service providers:
If you run a service like construction, masonry, landscaping, plumbing, or commercial painting, you can get in on the QR code action, too. Use QR codes to make it easy for customers to book an appointment, fill out a consultation request form, or leave a Yelp review. Add a QR code to a window decal or car magnet so potential customers can quickly scan for more info when they see your (parked!) vehicle.
Are you providing a service that requires follow-up from the customer’s end? At the end of your appointment, leave them with a QR-coded business card with special instructions for maintaining their new landscaping or caring for their new hardwood floors.
For Realtors
A property listing is only as good as its photos – so make it easy for potential buyers to see the full gallery or take a video tour via a QR code. Add one to the A-frame signage at your next open house, to the yard signs you display on each property, and even to the sell sheet you hand out to clients.
In addition to using QR codes for visual purposes, try using a code when you need to give potential buyers directions to your office or an open house. Print some on a sheet of stickers you can easily attach to your business card and give to buyers.
For Retailers and Shop Owners
Whether you run an online boutique or brick-and-mortar shop, incorporate QR codes into your packaging – use them to link to your social channels, a discount code for their next purchase, or a feedback form. Add a QR code to the stickers you use to brand your paper shopping bags and to the business card or postcard you include with every order. This is a great way to create an interactive shopping experience from start to finish!
For Everyone and Anyone
Regardless of what kind of small business you own, there are plenty of ways to make QR codes work for you. Here are some universal ideas for embracing this technology.
- QR codes are a more affordable way for small business owners to accept touchless payments – use Paypal to create a QR code, then print it on a business card or retractable banner.
- Add a QR code to your business card to share contact information or quickly direct someone to your website.
- Use QR code to run giveaways – incentivize someone to fill out a contact form or sign up for your newsletter via the QR code you provide, then reward them with a discounted service or freebie.
- Boost your social media following with QR codes that link to your Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, or Twitter pages. Just add the QR code to your business card, in-store signage, or mailers!
- Add a QR code to receipts or invoices to get customer feedback in just a few clicks.