Technology is supposed to enhance rather than replace conventional print marketing and advertising. The most successful and engaging marketing initiatives combine digital marketing with traditional advertising.
What is a QR Code?
QR codes are 2D barcodes easily created by a free QR code generator scanned by smartphone cameras or scanning software.
What Is QR Code Marketing?
A QR code connects your online and offline marketing campaigns. The key to a successful marketing campaign is nurturing your customers through the marketing funnel with the correct information at the right time.
Why is QR code marketing important?
Denso, a Toyota company, first introduced QR codes in 1994. They assist in tracking vehicle parts and streamlining production. These enabled quick decoding, hence the name QRC.
Initially, just a few people used this technology. Marketers thought the QR code trend would fade out due to a lack of use-cases.
In 2020, the pandemic accelerated QR code adoption not because it was multifunctional but because it was a safe, hygienic, and cost-effective solution.
It also allowed collecting data from typical marketing campaigns.
Is QR code marketing a new craze?
According to Statista, there are 3.8 billion smartphone users worldwide, or 48.2% of the global population. Another research suggests that 86% of consumers in the UK, US, Netherlands, and France will have scanned the QR code.
The essential factor is the intelligent usage and positioning of QR codes with access to relevant and accurate information.
QR codes are becoming more popular and can help promote brand visibility, sales, and customer engagement.
How can you use QR codes to achieve your marketing objectives?
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Boost your social media following:
No company can afford to ignore social media. It’s a requirement. You can use QR codes on your marketing materials to send users to your social media pages, such as Facebook and Instagram.
This is a terrific strategy to increase your social media reach. You can also request a review of your product from them or tag them in user-generated content associated with your product.
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Get app downloads:
QR code marketing, when used wisely, may be one of the quickest ways to increase app downloads and push people into the mobile app marketing funnel. These advertisements encouraged users to scan the codes to download the app and receive numerous discounts.
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Increase the number of visitors to your website:
The QR code can send users to a page or website with further information. The code can communicate information not included in the print ad, such as product description, pricing list, dates and times, and the order procedure.
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Create email marketing lists:
QR codes can connect consumers to web pages on marketing materials such as billboards, print ads, and business cards. This allows marketers to create email lists by inviting visitors to sign up to get specific offers. This is an excellent method for boosting your email marketing plan.
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Enhance the User Experience:
You may improve the user experience by including essential information in the QR code, such as an instructional video for setting up the device, a printed sheet, or a link to a recipe on food products.
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Generate leads:
QR codes can be used strategically for lead creation, depending on the type of business. For example, a real estate firm needed to sell a vast office property. They used these to generate and track leads.
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Gaining the trust and loyalty of customers:
The use of QR codes can help establish product transparency. This will help you earn client trust. It will boost consumer loyalty and engagement, increasing the likelihood of sticking with the brand.
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Increase Post-Purchase Engagement:
Please take advantage of the opportunity to interact with your customer after making a purchase. The only method to go about it is to use QR codes on rating and review pages. You can even link these to discount coupons for future purchases, encouraging them to continue buying with you. The Amazon QR codes promote repeat purchases, increasing website traffic.
QR code marketing Use Cases:
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Restaurant Menus:
As a result of the epidemic, restaurants looked for safe and hygienic options for their consumers—restaurants employed QR codes to create a frictionless experience for their guests, from menus to purchases.
QR code menus reduce printing costs and make updating information such as availability, pricing, and details without reprinting.
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OOH, Advertising:
One cannot question the efficacy of out-of-home advertising. According to Dash Two’s research, 71% of customers believe digital billboards are more attractive than online advertisements. Strategically combining a billboard with a QR code can encourage people to take action, resulting in data collection.
These virtual stores let customers scan and purchase things from their internet stores on the spot.
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Recyclability:
PepsiCo’s soda stream dispenser had an integrated hydration platform with QR codes. PepsiCo employed an integrated hydration platform for single-use plastic.
Users can bring their bottles to be filled with still or carbonated water. Hence, replacing vending machines with QR code dispensers. Initially used in schools and offices, the system was later expanded to public spaces.
Choosing a QR Code Generator:
Choosing the correct QR code maker is necessary for using QR code marketing for your business. There are other free QR code generators accessible, but make sure to use one of the following:
- The precise data tracking feature
- Cost-effective with unlimited scans.
- QR codes with high quality that can be printed
- Outstanding documentation
- Outstanding customer service.