How Successful Brands Are Using QR Codes To Scale Up

Gerald Lombardo
Popl
Published in
5 min readMar 14, 2024

QR codes are a versatile technology that certain brands have used in innovative ways — both in their products and marketing. If you’re a business owner or entrepreneur here are some creative examples of how you can use QR codes for your brand.

And if you’re looking for the best, free QR code generator, look no further than Popl to create QR codes for your website, social media, wifi, and more.

QR code displayed on a smartphone

Creative QR Code Branding

Here are five examples of how businesses and brands have creatively used QR codes in their products or marketing.

Nike QR Codes

Nike has long been a leader in creative marketing techniques, and their use of QR codes is no exception. In one recent campaign, the company placed QR codes on posters in New York City subway stations. When customers scanned the codes, they were taken to a landing page where they could purchase the new Nike Air Max sneaker line. The campaign was a huge success, driving sales and generating buzz for the brand.

Coca-Cola QR Codes

Coca-Cola has also been using QR codes in creative ways to engage with its customers. In one recent campaign, the company placed QR codes on cans of soda. When customers scanned the codes, they were taken to a landing page where they could enter a sweepstakes to win prizes. The campaign was successful in driving engagement and increasing brand loyalty.

Heinz QR Codes

Heinz used QR codes in an innovative way to create an interactive game for customers while they waited for their food to arrive at a restaurant. The game, called “Get Sauce,” involved scanning a QR code on the ketchup bottle to play.

When customers scanned the QR code, they were taken to a mobile game where they could play to win prizes. The game involved controlling a bottle of ketchup to navigate through various obstacles, collecting points and earning chances to win prizes.

Heinz’s use of QR codes in this way was a creative marketing strategy to engage customers and reinforce the brand’s fun and playful image. By using QR codes to create an interactive game, Heinz was able to provide customers with a unique and memorable experience while waiting for their food, which helped to increase brand awareness and loyalty.

Taco Bell QR Codes

Taco Bell used QR codes in its restaurants to create a unique ordering experience for its customers. The company placed QR codes on posters in its restaurants, which customers could scan to access a mobile ordering system.

Once customers scanned the QR code, they were taken to a mobile ordering system where they could place their order and pay using their phone. This allowed customers to skip the line and order their food more quickly and conveniently.

Taco Bell’s use of QR codes in this way was a way to leverage technology to create a more seamless and efficient ordering process for their customers. By providing a mobile ordering system accessible via QR code, Taco Bell was able to offer a more modern and convenient way to order food, appealing to the tech-savvy and busy customer base.

Sephora QR Codes

Sephora has been using QR codes in its stores to provide customers with product information and tutorials. The company has placed QR codes on product displays, which customers can scan to access information on the product and watch tutorials on how to use it. This has helped to create a more engaging and interactive shopping experience for Sephora’s customers.

5 QR Codes Best Practices To Abide By Always

By now, you already know that QR codes (Quick Response codes) have become a ubiquitous tool for bridging the gap between physical and digital experiences.

Businesses leverage them on everything from packaging to marketing materials, offering customers a convenient way to access additional information. However, poorly designed or implemented QR codes can frustrate users and hinder your marketing efforts.

Here are 5 essential best practices to ensure your QR codes are scannable, effective, and achieve your desired results:

  1. Size Matters: Ensure your QR code is large enough to be scanned easily, especially on printed materials. A minimum size of 1 inch x 1 inch is recommended but adjust based on the viewing distance. For smaller applications, consider using a micro QR code, but be aware they may require users to zoom in with their phone camera.
  2. High Contrast and Clear Background: For optimal scannability, use a high-contrast color scheme. Black QR codes on a white background are the most reliable, but you can experiment with contrasting colors if they align with your branding. Avoid using busy backgrounds or patterns that can interfere with the scanner’s ability to read the code.
  3. Error Correction and Testing: Most QR code generators offer error correction levels. While a lower level allows for more data storage, a higher level ensures the code remains scannable even if slightly damaged or dirty. Always choose a moderate error correction level for optimal balance. Most importantly, test your QR codes thoroughly before printing or deploying them. Use different devices and lighting conditions to ensure they scan flawlessly.
  4. Call to Action and Landing Page Optimization: Don’t leave users wondering what to do after scanning your QR code. Include a clear call to action (CTA) near the code, such as “Scan to learn more” or “Visit our website.” Once scanned, the QR code should direct users to a mobile-optimized landing page that delivers the promised content or action. A slow-loading or poorly designed landing page will create a negative user experience.
  5. Track and Analyze: Many QR code generators offer tracking features that allow you to monitor scans and understand user behavior. This data provides valuable insights into the effectiveness of your QR code campaign. Track the number of scans, user demographics, and the most common scan locations to refine your strategy and optimize future campaigns.

By following these best practices, you can ensure your QR codes are scannable, user-friendly, and drive the desired results for your business. Remember, QR codes are a powerful marketing tool when used effectively, but a frustrating experience for users if not implemented correctly.

Conclusion

There you have it, some cool ways to use QR codes for your brand or business. If you’re a business owner or brand looking to incorporate QR codes into your advertising or customer service, look no further than Popl. Use Popl’s free QR code creator to make your own customizable QR code for your website, social media accounts, your business’s wifi information or create a sharable QR code for your digital business card.

About Popl Teams: Popl Teams is a B2B SaaS platform created by Popl that helps organizations create, manage, and distribute digital business cards for their employees. Popl digital business cards allow instant sharing with the tap of an NFC-powered Popl device or by sending a personalized URL or QR code. Among other major benefits, Popl digital cards support contact management and in-person networking by helping users capture more leads using autofill forms. It automatically synchs with popular CRMs like Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho, and more.

This article originally appeared HERE on the Popl blog.

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