Think the days of using QR codes are far behind? Think again.
QR codes have a whole new feel, and they’re an exciting, innovative part of modern marketing. A QR code for marketing takes people on a seamless journey to your brand, page, or experience. With online and offline environments meeting in the middle, brands that use QR codes can engage audiences in a smarter and faster way, spurring growth without incurring costs. Brands that aren’t on board might just get left behind.
QR Codes: The Key to Instant Engagement
Forget those bulky, black-and-white blocks you remember from a decade ago. Today’s QR codes are totally reimagined. They look good and are customizable, and the sheer number of ways to use them is staggering. With the right QR code for marketing in place, you can create real-time connections with consumers in ways that are limited only by your imagination.
Suppose a potential customer is window shopping late one evening. With a QR code, they get an instant trip to an interactive product demo and a special online offer. There’s no waiting or barriers between your brand and your audience. That’s the world smart brands are waking up to.
Why Every Brand Should Consider a QR Code Marketing Campaign
It’s simple: everyone is busy and on the go, but all want the super-rich digital experience to make life easier. Enter: the QR code. With a single code, consumers can access the info, deals, videos, apps, or experiences they want fast. There’s no typing URLs or navigating endless search results. The benefit to brands? QR codes offer convenient and trackable insights into consumer behaviors. You know who’s scanning and who isn’t, what they are buying and what they are not.
Use this information to tweak your tactics on the go and create individualized campaigns that win more hearts for your brand. That’s not even the best part. QR codes are truly affordable. It takes minutes to put a dynamic QR code in action, but the impact can linger much longer. These codes boost engagement, loyalty, and sales without sucking a massive chunk of your marketing budget.
From Brand Awareness to Customer Loyalty
Some of the best QR code tactics transcend traffic. They become a true extension of brand identity. Let’s say your high-end restaurant’s website is impressive, but your menu is less so. That’s an opportunity for improvement and a marketing opportunity at its core. Add a QR code to your print menu and invite visitors to go deep into a new side of your brand. Provide videos of your chef talking about recipes, check reviews of featured dishes, or create a rewards program.
It’s memorable and ties visitors to your brand in a way that not even your beautiful landing pages could. That’s true loyalty. You know where your customers are coming from, what motivates them, and how they interact with your brand in different environments. QR codes make it easy to use engagement metrics to create more engaging user experiences.
How to Make a QR Code Work for You
If you’re considering adding QR codes to your marketing toolkit, here are some of the top tips to keep in mind.
- Keep it mobile-first: Ensure the place where the QR code directs a visitor is mobile-optimized and easy to navigate.
- Add value, not clutter: Make someone want to scan, whether that’s a deal, a discount, an exclusive experience, a how-to video, or an inside look.
- Stamp your mark: QR codes don’t have to be the standard black and white blocks. Use your brand colors, logo, and design elements to make them your own, so users can recognize them at first glance.
- Go dynamic: The ability to change a QR code link without changing already printed materials is called a dynamic QR code. These are especially useful for agile marketing campaigns.
Real-Life Examples
Some of the biggest names have already harnessed the future, and the numbers are proof. Starbucks used QR codes for mobile payment and customer loyalty rewards and saw gains in efficiency, as customers could order faster, and loyalty, as customers were incentivized to return.
Nike created pop-up shops that used QR codes to share exclusive products and behind-the-scenes content, creating and sustaining buzz. Small shops, realtors, farmers markets, and more can grow an audience without the price tag that comes with complex ecommerce and in-person tech.
The Future Is Scannable
Things are quickly changing in the world of marketing. With shorter attention spans and bigger expectations for smoother digital experiences, we’re turning to QR codes more than ever.
When done purposefully, brands that adopt these codes and make them a staple in their marketing strategy are staying current and future-proofing their business. They’re meeting customers wherever they are, even if it is a physical place, and are providing ultra-fast value.