Over the last 10 years, marketing has seen an important shift. Mobile devices and the internet have transformed everything in marketing, from advertisement to service. Marketing professionals have been looking at ways to engage customers with their messages. One of the most important developments is QR codes, which make use of the latest digital technology for offline companies which haven’t been able to fully take advantage of the technology. QR is a short form in short for Quick Response Code, an industry-standard type of barcode that is scanned using a suitable device.
The QR code can obtain information from a website, or it can contain a direct link to download content like digital images, videos, audio files and much more. If you scan the QR code using your camera on your phone the code will be decoded immediately, while others could take a while to download before opening up on the display. This is the reason the codes are so effective offline businesses that had a difficult time fully adopting Digital Technology now have access to powerful tools that offer the advantages of both. This article will look at the ways companies can utilize this technology to improve their marketing. Let’s get started!
The Role of QR Codes in Connecting Offline and Online Marketing
1. Redirect Users to Links
Businesses can use QR codes on their premises and customers can scan them and be directed to the site for the business. The website can be bookmarkable and later accessed.
2. Save Phone Number
When scanning QR codes using a VCF format, contact details of the shop can be stored inside the contact book for the user.
3. Contactless Visiting Card
In times of a pandemic, people are trying to stay away from any contact. In these situations why wouldn’t a non-contact visiting card be an immense advantage? It’s just one visiting card that has the QR code. After scanning the QR code the contact information will be saved to your phone by the person that scans the code. Note: If you need to create a QR code, use a free QR code generator for a quick and easy solution.
4. Running Contests
QR codes are an excellent incentive to get individuals. You can create a QR code that has the information about the contest on it and then have people scan it to sign up for your event.
5. QR Codes in Newspapers / Magazine advertisements
For some time now, Digital Marketers have been complaining about print media’s inability to trace. The criticism is diminished by putting QR codes in the corners of magazine and newspaper ads. When scanned, these codes can identify the source of web traffic coming from these advertisements. In reality, lots of cities are also displaying billboards sporting QR codes precisely for the same reason.
6. QR Codes in TV Commercials
Television is the most watched media ever. A majority of people take a look at a commercial so why not include it in your content? Create a URL with the QR code to give customers more details on what was being promoted. Customers simply look up the QR code displayed on the screen!
7. QR Codes on Packaging
This is similar to QR codes found in commercials on television. People who are interested in something may scan it to get more details about it! A very well-known way businesses benefit from this technology is to add the technology to their packages. Customers can access additional content before purchasing items. Which could influence their buying decisions too. Customers can sign up online and ask to take part in contests or connect with brands via social networks, and order the same package using the QR code.
8. QR Codes are used to guide shoppers to the Mall
Malls are using QR codes to offer rapid access to information in their stores. For example, if a person is at the Mall and would like to learn more about a specific store, they can scan the QR Code to get additional information! Furthermore, QR codes located at specific places in the Mall allow customers to be directed to specific floors, stores or sections inside the Mall. This makes it easier for shoppers to locate and get to their preferred destinations inside the Mall.
QR Codes used in BTL activations
QR codes are used to enhance BTL activations to give details on the business. An example of a QR code being utilized to promote BTL activation is an agency called Gamification. The players can engage with games that can be played on their mobile devices. These games can be played through a QR code. When they arrive at their game they will be able to provide their contact details, so that they will be delighted later. This is also beneficial for companies generating leads via the use of gamification.
QR Codes in App Installs
Many marketers are aware of the online URL. Which refers to a website that recognizes your device and directs it to its desired destination. For instance, instead of requiring users to search for apps on the Google Play Store as well as the Apple App Store. Users can simply scan the QR Code that redirects them through the online URL to both the Google Play Store Page and the Apple App Store page of the application. This saves customers time and energy in downloading your application.
QR Codes to Prove Your Social Proof Strategies
If the QR code is shown at the point of sale in a physical shop or restaurant, the patrons can give a rating to the service in the store before when they leave. This can help improve Google Ratings. A QR Code that is created dynamically can assist companies direct users to various social proofing platforms such as Facebook Rating, Yelp Rating and Zomato Rating. We’ll write another article on how companies can harness the potential to use social proofing distinctively. The uses of QR codes are endless. All you have to do is be imaginative and think about how you can use them to enhance your business. In the end, there’s no better method to connect offline customers than to place these small stickers all over town so that everybody will look them up!