8 Smart Ways to Use QR Codes

When they first came on the marketing scene over 10 years ago, QR (quick response) codes were all the rage. But the tactic lost its luster when it became easier to just “Google” something.

The pandemic changed all that because it gave people a compelling reason to use them. Menu-less restaurants, contact tracing, charity fundraising, touchless shopping and more all became possible with the use of QR codes. All people need to do in most cases is point their cell phone camera over the QR code – the data does the rest.

Now that QR codes are useful again, business leaders are learning the best ways to incorporate them into their own sales and marketing strategies.

Here are a few ideas businesses can use right now:

1. Use a QR code to direct customers to a landing page/website
Giving would-be customers a QR code gets them to your landing page or webpage immediately.

2. Shopping and E-commerce
QR codes can be used to offer discounts and promos. By providing a unique QR code, customers can read a menu, or other helpful sales items right through their phone. It can also send a receipt.

This is a great strategy as long as you provide a clear call-to-action (CTA). Do not make the user guess what to do with your QR code.

3. Download apps
If you have a useful app for ecommerce or appointment setting, creating a QR code to download that app is a fast way to get customers engaged within your business. You can be creative by making your QR code eye-catching for viewers.

App makers and companies like Spotify are using QR codes to foster further engagement with their community.
Spotify has QR codes for specific songs, which users can share and recommend to others.

4. View business location
Instead of manually searching for the address on online maps, people can use the QR code for specific directions to your store or business location.

5. Connect it to your business phone number
Using QR codes during trade shows or conferences can get would-be customers directly to your business contact number. No more losing your business card. Sometimes, you can even have the QR code dial the number directly.

6. Direct customers to social media pages
Have a QR code so people can follow your social media pages for more updates.

7. Send a message
Sending messages through QR codes benefits SMS marketing. Use it for sales, user support, on-request product upgrades, and opt-in SMS registration. Skeptic users will be comforted to know they will only receive the message once they scan the QR code.

8. Send an email
QR codes can help monitor data for newsletters, email marketing, and your email’s performance rates.

If you are curious about how QR codes can be beneficial to your business, Contact Nancy Sipera to learn more.
 
*Source: SmartInsights, Flyte New Media