In 2022, nearly 89 million individuals in the United States utilized their smartphones to scan a QR code, marking a notable surge of 26% from the 2020 figures. The upward trend is predicted to continue, with the user base expected to cross the 100 million mark by 2025.
With that being said, a QR code marketing campaign will be a great strategic addition to your businesses digital marketing plans for 2023.
But before you start, there are many things to keep in mind to make sure you have an effective QR code marketing campaign.
Short Overview Of What Exactly QR Codes Are
A QR code is a two-dimensional square barcode that can be scanned with a smartphone camera. It contains encoded data in it which, when decoded by the phone’s scanner, leads to additional information, other platforms, or applications.
QR codes are a convenient and cost-effective way to pass on information, including social media profiles, contact details, videos, product pages etc. This makes them an ideal tool for marketers.
Here's a comprehensive list of QR code types you can use in your marketing campaign (Link to new post QR Code Examples when publishing).
Benefits Of QR Code Marketing For Your Business
Marketing for your business has evolved, and QR codes are an integral part of this evolution. Here are some of the key benefits of using a QR code marketing campaign:
Affordability
For all QR codes have to offer, the price is very low. It's a no brainer for businesses looking to maximize their budget.
Enhances The Marketing Funnel
QR codes could be used for any instance of the marketing funnel. They can be used to get customers interested in your product, help in the decision making process, and but definitely not least, improve customer retention.
Reduces The Gap Between Offline And Online Worlds
QR codes offer a bridge for customers to go from physical locations to online content. You can use this feature to boost engagement with your website, gain more followers on social media or simply increase the brand visibility. Scanning a QR code is quick and easy, making it convenient for consumers to access your online content or services without needing to manually type in a web address or search for your brand online.
Measurable Results and Useful Analytics
Some companies (us included) offer services that allow you to track the performance of your QR codes. This allows you to measure the success of your campaigns and use the analytics to make better decisions in future marketing efforts.
For example, you can view the number of scans, the location of those scans, and other useful info about your customers.
That will tell you what products or services are most popular, which campaigns have been successful so far and much more.
Sustainability
Including QR codes on your products packaging, you could improve the sustainability efforts of your company by minimizing the need to print out extra materials or instructions.
As sustainability gets more and more important to customers, it can be a great way to differentiate yourself from other companies.
Newer generations care about sustainability more than anyone else, and they are starting to rub off on their parents. So, this is a great way to reach out to both generations of customers.
Integration with Other Marketing Channels
If you want to make the most of your other marketing channels (email, social media etc.), QR codes can be used to seamlessly integrate your different platforms.
For example, you could include a QR code in your email campaigns that takes the user directly to your website or product page.
Best Practices To Get The Most Out Of Your QR Codes For Marketing
You're probably wondering how exactly you could incorporate codes into your marketing plans. Here are some best practices to get the most out of your QR codes:
Craft Them With A Clear Vision Of Your Brand Goals
It's important to think hard and decide what you want to achieve with your QR codes. Is it getting more followers on social media? Increasing brand awareness? Collecting data about customers? Showing them your online content?
Focus on one goal and craft your codes accordingly. That way, you will be able to measure the effectiveness of your campaigns better.
Position Them In The Best Spot Possible
If your QR codes aren't easily visible, your QR code campaign might not be as successful. Consider where would be the best position for your code to get maximum visibility.
The best place to put them is on a flat surface. This could be on posters, flyers, business cards, and storefronts.
You want to avoid places that could be hard to access, like billboards, car ads, and other places that are too far away from customers or could be a hassle to scan.
You also want to make them the right size. QR codes could be as little as 1cm x 1cm, but make sure they are large enough for customers to easily find and scan them.
Add An Effective Call To Action (CTA)
A call to action is what's going to get the user in the door. Just having a QR code with no words will decrease the chances of a potential customer scanning it.
When an internet landing page has a CTA, it increases clicks by 80%.
This holds true with QR codes as well.
So, make sure your CTA is clear and concise, to convince the user that scanning your code is worth it. You want to mention the value the customer will get by scanning it.
Here are some examples:
- "Scan for Exclusive Deals!": This CTA is perfect for physical locations like retail stores or restaurants. Customers love feeling like they're getting an exclusive offer, and this CTA gives that impression.
- "Scan to Download Our App!": If you have a mobile app and want to increase downloads, this CTA is for you. It's direct and tells customers exactly what they're getting.
- "Scan to Join Our VIP Club!": This CTA gives the impression of exclusivity and special treatment, which can be a great draw for customers.
- "Scan to Get a Free eBook!": This works well if you're offering valuable content, like an eBook, in exchange for the customer's contact information.
- "Scan to Win a Prize!": This CTA introduces an element of fun and chance. People love the idea of winning something, which can encourage them to scan.
- "Scan for a Virtual Tour!": For real estate companies or event venues, this can provide a fun and interactive experience for potential customers.
Personalize Your QR Codes
Not only do you want to make them align with your brand goals, but you also want them to fit your overall brand aesthetic.
You can customize the colors of your QR code, add your logo or other images, and make sure the entire design is consistent with the rest of your branding elements.
Test Them To Make Sure The User Experience Is Smooth
Make sure your code is working properly and that users don't have any problems scanning it. Also, if the QR code works correctly, make sure the landing page or content users are taken to is optimized and working properly.
Pay Attention To The Analytics
Lastly, you want to pay attention to the analytics you get from your campaigns. As stated above, having access to these analytics can help you make better decisions in the future and measure the success of your campaigns.
Top Statistics About QR Code Marketing In 2023
If you aren't fully convinced when it comes to QR Code marketing. Here's a list of relevant QR code marketing statistics that you may want to keep your eyes on.
- The market value for QR code usage is projected to reach USD 2.20 billion by 2027, indicating significant growth in its adoption and utilization.
- QR codes for sustainability help reduce paper consumption and carbon footprint.
- US smartphone users scanning QR codes are expected to rise from 83.4 million in 2022 to 99.5 million in 2025.
- 72% of people scan a QR code at least once a month, with 32% scanning a QR code weekly. QR codes continue to be widely used for various purposes.
Challenges Of Implementing a QR Code Marketing Strategy
There are a few different challenges to keep in mind when implementing a QR code marketing strategy, including:
User Experience Challenges: If the content linked to the QR code is not optimized for mobile devices, it can lead to a poor user experience. Additionally, if the QR code doesn't lead to valuable content, customers may feel disappointed, leading to a negative impression of your brand.
Limited Reach: Not all consumers are comfortable with or understand how to use QR codes. This can limit the effectiveness of a QR code marketing campaign, especially among certain demographics, such as older consumers.
Technical Difficulties: QR codes must be generated, managed, and monitored correctly. If they're not tested properly, you may end up with non-functioning QR codes, which can frustrate customers and lead to missed opportunities.
Lack of Tracking: If you're using static QR codes, it can be difficult to track their performance and gather insights into user behavior.
Design Challenges: If QR codes are poorly designed or do not align with your brand's aesthetic, they can detract from your overall branding efforts.
Your Solution: Use CS Connect For Your QR Code Marketing Campaign
As you could see, QR code marketing could be effective, but doing it yourself can be a lot of work. You need to know a lot about tech, design, and marketing. Plus, you need to track how customers use your QR codes and figure out if your campaign is working. If you don't get it right, your campaign might not connect with the people you want to reach.
That's where CSCONNECT comes in. We make QR Code marketing easy. You can use our platform to create cool campaigns that mix the real world with digital content. And the best part? You don't need to know how to code.
With CSCONNECT, you can make your product, packaging, or brand more interactive. You can create personalized experiences for your customers, like showing them how to use your product or letting them try it out virtually.
Ready to make QR Code marketing easier? Start with CSCONNECT today and step into the future of digital marketing.
Conclusion
If you have any questions about QR code marketing and how it could help your business, don't hesitate to reach out. We'll be more than happy to share our expertise and help you make the most of your campaigns!
