How can QR Codes be used for Marketing?

Use QR codes to accelerate the consumer’s conversion journey.

Although QR Codes have been in existence since 1994, there was a huge surge in their usage after the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently they’re extensively used in Fintech, Banking, Hospitality & Services, Retail and Healthcare. QR Codes today are an innovative technique of combining the offline and online business worlds. They provide a wide range of applications for increasing ROI in marketing.

Google Search volume for “Scan QR Code”

QR Code is a very versatile tool for marketing. The usage of QR Codes have shot up by 114% after the pandemic and the consumers are very comfortable with using this and are very equipped with the tools to use QR codes. So marketers can use this extensively to redirect users and increase customer engagement. This also very effective in tracking and attributing offline-to-online traffic.

How can QR Codes be used?

• QR Codes can be incorporated in marketing materials and promotional campaigns like — Newspaper Ads, Pamphlets, Flyers, Offline & Digital billboards and TV Ads. QR Codes can be a great way to transport consumers to the brand’s website.
• QR Codes can be utilized to promote mobile app downloads that directly redirect the users directly to the App Stores.
• QR Codes can be used in shoppable Ads to provide a quick payment gateway to avoid customer drop off.
• QR codes can be generated for discounts, coupons, or special offers which can be redeemed in-store or online.
• QR codes can be placed on the product or its packaging which provide information about the new features, product overviews, video demonstrations and promote accessories that support your product. This would promote customer engagement.
• QR codes can be used to encourage customers to follow or engage with a brand’s social media profiles. Scanning the QR code can lead users directly to the brand’s social media page, where they can like, follow, or share content.
• Create brand affinity by providing QR codes to unlock themed filters and avatars on social media.
• QR codes can be a very effective tool in creative brand awareness campaigns that deliver unique, personalized customer experiences like contests or a gaming experience or a quiz or a Virtual Reality experience.
• QR codes can be deployed in social outreach programs in order to create awareness or for fundraising.

What are the Pros and Cons of QR Codes?

Pros

1. The implementation is very cost effective — Cost of moving consumers from one stage of the purchase journey to the next is low using QR Codes
2. Instant — The consumers are instantaneously transported to the brand’s links.
3. Easily accessible — Every smartphone is equipped to scan QR codes now and the consumers don’t need to download any additional apps to access QR codes
4. Easy tracking and attribution — Since QR codes are primarily used to drive online interactions, we can easily use QR Codes to track the driven traffic or conversions.

Cons

1. No one wants to scan a QR code just to visit a website. Businesses need to provide attractive and clear incentives for scanning QR codes
2. Since they’re present in every nook and corner, some QR Codes might go unnoticed.
3. QR codes can be easily generated and modified by anyone, which opens the possibility of misuse.
4. QR codes can’t be used as a stand-alone marketing tool. Its most effective when its used as an add on to already existing channels.