QR codes in Marketing

In today’s digital age, marketing has evolved rapidly, with businesses constantly seeking innovative ways to engage with their customers and deliver memorable experiences. One such technology that has gained momentum in recent years is QR codes. QR (Quick Response) codes are two-dimensional barcodes that can be scanned using a smartphone or QR code reader to quickly access digital content or information. These small, square codes are finding widespread use in marketing campaigns, enabling businesses to bridge the gap between offline and online marketing efforts. They are also unlocking new opportunities for customer engagement. In this blog post, we will explore the power of QR codes in modern marketing strategies and how businesses can leverage them to enhance their marketing efforts. 

The Rise of QR Codes in Marketing 

The QR codes of today are quite versatile when compared to their 1990s counterparts.  The automotive industry was the first adopter of this technology, but the marketing applications are only limited by your imagination. The proliferation of smartphones with built-in cameras and QR code scanning capabilities has made it easy for consumers to scan QR codes on the go, creating new opportunities for businesses to connect with their target audience. One of the primary reasons for the rise of QR codes in marketing is their versatility. QR codes can be printed on a wide range of marketing materials, including product packaging, print advertisements, billboards, business cards, flyers, and posters, among others. When scanned, QR codes can instantly direct users to websites, landing pages, social media profiles, app downloads, videos, or other digital content. This enables businesses to provide an interactive and seamless experience to their customers, driving engagement and conversions. 

Benefits of Using QR Codes in Marketing 

Enhanced Customer Engagement: QR codes provide an interactive and convenient way for customers to engage with a brand. By scanning a QR code, customers can access additional information, exclusive content, promotions, or discounts, enabling them to interact with a brand on a deeper level. This can result in increased customer engagement, brand loyalty, and repeat business.  Bridging Offline and Online Marketing Efforts: QR codes enable businesses to bridge the gap between offline and online marketing efforts. By incorporating QR codes in print materials, businesses can seamlessly connect their offline marketing efforts to online content, websites, or social media profiles. This creates a cohesive and integrated marketing strategy, driving traffic and conversions across different marketing channels. Tracking and Analytics: QR codes can be tracked and analyzed, providing valuable insights into customer behavior and engagement. Businesses can use QR code tracking tools to monitor scan rates, location, device type, and other metrics, helping them understand the effectiveness of their marketing campaigns and make data-driven decisions. 

Cost-Effective and Flexible: QR codes are cost-effective and easy to implement in marketing campaigns. Businesses can generate QR codes for free or at a low cost using online QR code generators, and they can be printed on various marketing materials without significant additional costs. QR codes are also flexible and can be customized to match a brand’s visual identity or campaign theme, providing creative opportunities for businesses to enhance their brand image. Convenient and User-Friendly: QR codes are convenient and user-friendly for both businesses and customers. Customers can quickly scan QR codes using their smartphones, without the need for typing or remembering long URLs. QR codes can also be easily updated with new content or redirected to different URLs, providing flexibility for businesses to update their marketing materials without reprinting them. Versatile Marketing Applications: QR codes can be used in a wide range of marketing applications, making them versatile for different types of businesses and campaigns. For instance, QR codes can be used for product packaging to provide product information or access user manuals, in print advertisements to redirect customers to landing pages or online stores, and in event promotions. 

Here are a few examples of how QR codes have been used in marketing campaigns by various brands. 

1. Airbnb’s QR Code City Guidebooks: Airbnb has used QR codes in their city guidebooks that are provided to guests staying in their properties. The QR codes direct guests to a webpage with local recommendations, tips, and exclusive discounts for nearby attractions, restaurants, and experiences. This campaign helps enhance the guest experience and promotes local businesses.
2. Toyota’s QR Code Test Drive: Toyota used QR codes in their “Try a Toyota” campaign in Belgium, where they placed QR codes on billboards and print advertisements. When scanned, the QR codes directed users to a webpage where they could sign up for a test drive and receive a voucher for a gift. This campaign aimed to drive customer test drives and generate leads for potential car buyers.
3. Sephora’s Virtual Try-On: Sephora, a leading beauty retailer, has utilized QR codes in its stores to allow customers to virtually try on makeup products. Customers can scan the QR codes displayed in-store, which takes them to a virtual try-on platform where they can upload their photo and virtually apply different makeup products. This interactive experience helps customers explore and try out different makeup options, leading to increased product discovery and potential sales.
4. Coca-Cola’s Share a Coke Campaign, launched in multiple countries, featured QR codes on their bottles and cans. When scanned, the QR codes directed customers to a personalized webpage where they could create and share virtual Coke bottles with their friends. The campaign aimed to engage customers and encourage social sharing, resulting in increased brand awareness and user-generated content.
5. QR codes with Geo-Location by Adidas. Adidas included a QR code on the tongue of the new PulseBoost HD sneakers when they were released. After scanning the code, users are directed to a Spotify playlist with music based on their current location. Spotify and Adidas worked together to develop playlists tailored by location.  Since then, the brand is using QR codes on t-shirts and hoodies in addition to their shoe lines. 
6. Diesel’s Authentication by QR code campaign aimed to combat counterfeit jeans, which were flooding the market with fake versions of Diesel products. The company found an elegant solution to this problem using QR code technology. DIESEL printed QR codes on its jeans, leading the user to a verified record of the product’s origin. It is a reliable indicator of authenticity, and each pair has a unique code that cannot be copied.

As these examples show, QR codes offer a lot more marketing potential than one might initially think. They are cheap, ubiquitous, and can be used quite creatively. Brands today are already taking advantage of QR codes in marketing campaigns so think about how you can also use them to achieve eye-catching simplicity, enhanced personalization, creative collaborations, product authentication, and many more. Want to start using QR codes in your marketing but don’t know where to start?  Contact Klik Digital today and we will work with you to design an approach that gets your brand noticed!!