Effective customer-engagement is at the core of every successful business. There are lots of ways you could achieve this, but in the new decade, being on top of technology gives you a good edge. QR codes, short for quick response codes, are one way to implement effective and efficient customer engagement in your business.
Large business organizations such as Bendigo Bank, BPAY, and PayPal employ QR codes to advance their business agendas using QR code marketing, for instance. However, this is not to say that QR codes are only beneficial to large companies. Small businesses also have a lot to gain from using QR codes.
QR codes direct your customers to whatever link on your website with a simple scan. They are easy to generate, and all your customers need is a smartphone with a working camera and an internet connection.
In this article, we’ll look at a few innovative ways large brands incorporate QR codes to drive customer engagement. That way, you too, can find ways to integrate QR codes for your marketing endeavors.
What Is a QR Code?
A QR code is akin to a two-dimensional bar code. Denso Wave first created the QR code in 1994. Denso Wave, which is a Toyota subsidiary, created the QR code to track vehicle parts and the vehicles themselves.
The tiny boxes in QR codes contain hidden information. You need a QR scanner to access these codes. The smartphone industry surge warranted the use of QR codes for marketing and other purposes. All you need is a QR scanner from the Android App Store or the Apple Store, and you’re all set.
The 2017 iOS 10 and 11 update integrated QR scanners with the phone’s camera app, thus removing the need to download a separate QR scanner app. Nowadays, QR has gained popularity because it is an opensource digital resource that has been improved and modified for the mobile industry.
How Can You Leverage QR Codes for Your Businesses Benefit
Businesses are just starting to understand the use of QR codes to advance their interests. Being among the pioneer companies in your niche to embrace QR codes easily makes you a contender for the top spot. QR codes are versatile and virtually endless.
If you’ve been looking to use QR codes for whatever reasons, here are a couple of ways you can use QR codes to propel your business to greater heights.
Direct Customers to Your Landing Page
You can use QR codes to instantly direct your current or potential customers to your landing page. This is great for both you and the customer. The code saves the customer the hassle of searching for your webpage, and you attract more customers because of the ease of access.
This is what most companies do with QR codes. However, since you want to stand out, you have to go a couple of steps extra. We’ll show you how to do so later.
For Your Ad Campaigns
Just because QR codes are boxes, doesn’t mean you can’t be creative with them. Instagram, for instance, made the QR boxes into tiny pictures because Instagram is a photo social app. Angry Birds also had an innovative QR code that leads you straight to the game’s download link.
Eye-catching QR codes will net your customer's attention. Using creative QR codes is an excellent QR marketing technique. Marketing agencies come up with creative and engaging QR codes to align with your company’s culture and your target audience.
To Download Your Apps
E-commerce is slowly phasing out traditional retail. As such, many businesses have websites and applications which are, in essence, their digital stores.
With QR codes, you can save customers the hassle of going to the app store or Googling your company. A QR code can send them directly to your website.
If you couple this with some creativity for a QR code to a download link, you should expect a lot of traffic influx or lots of downloads. For maximum effectiveness, your QR code must direct the customer to the store or the exact app. Don’t make the customer have to grow through many steps before getting to the products or applications you’re pushing.
To Send a Particular Message
This is a very innovative way of using QR codes. You can use QR codes to send particular messages to specific customers. All they have to do is scan the code and the message automatically sends to them.
This is another QR marketing method that could be potentially beneficial. For instance, when a customer buys a specific product, add a flashy QR code to the product. When the customer scans this code, he gets a discount on his next purchase. Or, you could direct the customer to another complimentary product.
There are many other ways you can use QR codes to send messages or emails to your customers. You’ll also get accurate metrics to measure the success of your QR marketing campaigns.
For Your Business Location and Contact Information
Locating a business is as easy as typing the business’s name on Google. However, a QR code makes it much easier; all you have to do is scan the code, and you instantly get the business location.
For whatever reason, customers may want to talk to management directly. Either way, a QR code on your products or receipts can direct customers or any concerned party to your offices or give them the necessary contact information.
To Grow Your Social Media Following
Social media is an excellent marketing tool for businesses big and small. As you’re reading this, you probably have various profiles on various social media apps for your business. If you have those in place, then all you need now is followers for your social media pages.
Directing customers to your social media profile is an incredible QR marketing technique. Social media is a great way to interact with your customers, and you can get crucial pointers on how you can improve your business from your social media following.
Consider QR Code Marketing to Grow Your Business Effortlessly
The versatility and flexibility of QR codes make them invaluable for any business. You can employ QR codes for QR code marketing, effective customer interaction, and boosting site traffic or app downloads.
Generating QR codes is easy and very cost-effective. Incorporate them into your marketing today and reap the benefits of this simple but highly effective business tool.
Don’t forget to contact us for assistance in creating new products for your business devices.