Have you adopted QR codes in your marketing yet?

During the pandemic, QR codes were being used everywhere. They became a necessity for all businesses as we entered an era of contact tracing and checking in. But QRcodes have actually been around since the mid-90s and they have continued to be a rapidly evolving technology within the marketing and advertising sectors. By now most of us are accustomed to scanning a QR code using our mobile phone to sign in when we go shopping or to a restaurant, when we catch a live show or visit the Post Office. What had been a growing trend – the use of QR codes – became essential with the onset of COVID and the need for contact tracing and we are now seeing this trend endure in the post-Covid era.

 

The QR Code (an abbreviation of Quick Response code) had been around since their development in 1994 and slowly gained more traction with the evolution of mobile phones, which allowed QR codes to be easily scanned and provide consumers with greater access to brand or product information.

Before check-in apps were developed during the pandemic using QR codes, the technology was largely being utilised within the marketing sector to develop consumer engagement, feedback and product information. Now, we are seeing QRcodes popping up everywhere. They are being used across shopping centres, in competitions for prizes held by fast-food giants, and progressively, as ID scanners when entering licensed premises.

Global data collection and analysis company Statista, estimates smartphone user numbers increased internationally from 3,668 billion in 2016 to 6,378 billion in 2021. It is expected that smartphone users will rise to some 7,516 billion by 2026, supported in part, by the inclusion of QR code scanning capabilities by smartphone camera apps. As technology continues to evolve, so too does the development of QR codes. We are seeing a strong uptake in the number of brands utilising QR technology, with brands across the world are turning to QR codes as a tangible method for encouraging consumer engagement.

Global QR code generator QRcode Chimp, which boasts an international clients list including mega-brands McDonalds, Red Bull, Shell and Pepsico, says “QR codes are the best tools to get your users from offline to online”. With the digital era well and truly upon us, digital brand engagement is the new way forward. “The reasons for marketers to use QR codes are obvious,” the company states. “[To] build direct connections with customers, collect first-party data and add attribution tracking to traditional advertising channels like product packaging and billboards,” the company said.

QRcode Chimp says the integration of QR Code readers in smartphones means QR codes are now being used in packaging to collect customer feedback, adding QR codes “help retailers and brands stay connected with their customers during the entire purchase cycle, as well as post-purchase”.

Indeed, the scope for QR use appears to be near endless from QR code landing pages for Facebook business pages promoting customer engagement, to custom landing pages for events and developing social media landing pages for brands or a business of any size.

QR codes can also be generated to direct consumers to Google review pages and customer feedback forms, Zoom meetings, and even to a personalised QR codes as part of a resume or job application – sure to make early adopters stand out!

In terms of marketing, QR codes are increasingly being used to engage and capture the attention of consumers from directing them to landing pages including ecommerce pages, being a source of immediate and relevant information and encouraging further engagement by generating an email or text message. Or as QRcode Chimp explains: “QR codes help your marketing reach audiences in the offline world digitally. You must use QR codes in your marketing strategy to run measurable marketing campaigns and boost sales!”

If you would like to know more about how to effectively incorporate QR codes into your next marketing campaign, contact Strictlymarketing’s Managing Director, Bev Strickland on bstrick-land@strictlymarketing.com.au or phone 0417 761 966.