Using QR codes in internet marketing is growing more and more popular for business. Know the basics of using QR codes for marketing and how you can make the most of it.
Follow best practices of using QR codes
When properly used, using QR codes can give marketers a great way to grab the attention of the audience and target them with optimized advertising. Codes are generated for free, and are fun for consumers to scan. At the very least, they can be fun when you follow the best practices for using QR codes in your marketing campaign. Invented in Japan, QR codes or quick response codes are like car code, except that they can store more data and even have downloadable content. It is because of this that they became popular in the industrial world as high-speed scanning and tracking tools. The widespread use of smartphones eventually led to the expansion of the QR code into the marketing industry. QR code scanners can be downloaded as smartphone apps so codes can be scanned practically anywhere.
Common Mistakes in Using QR Codes
When QR codes were first introduced as a tool for marketing, many companies have seen the potential and went after it, although many do not understand why people opt to scan or ignore a QR code. Businesses mostly assumed that people are so enamored by the QR code fad that simply slapping one on marketing collateral is enough to encourage actual scans of the code, but this is not the case. Below are some of the two biggest QR code marketing mistakes.
1. Offer little value in QR codes
One of the big challenges in QR code marketing is giving people a good reason to scan your code. Scanning a QR code will take time. You need to take your phone out, go to your QR code scanner app, let the app load, position your phone’s camera over the QR code, scan the code, and let the linked content load. To simply view an ad, this is a long process, so marketers need to drive action by offering something better than ads. Driving action is important in QR code marketing.
2. Link to ineffective landing pages or content
Even if you persuade someone to scan your QR code, complete conversion can still be impeded by a low-quality download or an ineffective landing page. You need to successfully engage the consumer pre-scan and post-scan. If you are integrating QR codes into your marketing campaign, keep in mind that QR code scanners are used on smartphones. Whatever you like to with a QR code should be optimized for mobile devices.
Tips to Effectively Using QR Codes
With time, marketers will have a better understanding of the purpose of QR codes in the eyes of consumers. Now, businesses can be more effective in implementing QR code marketing. One of the very important lessons you can learn is that QR codes are effective tools for marketing, offering significant value to users. The most popular types of content accessed in QR code campaigns are application downloads, sweepstakes and discounts.
Examples of marketing campaigns that can benefit from QR codes: connect to social media, display business directions, display content entry form, display coupons, display Yelp reviews, download contact information, email newsletters, make mobile payments, offer product details, scan paperless tickets and reward loyalty program members. Of particular interest is the use of QR codes in email marketing campaigns. Email marketing can use QR codes to fuel lead generation without any added cost.
Most of the time, using QR codes for marketing are only though useful in print publications, but email is fast becoming a popular way to implement QR codes because of the curiosity it gives the readers. People naturally love to crack codes, and this is exactly the psychological aspect that QR codes tap into. In your next email newsletter, instead of asking your readers to try clicking a link, entice them to scan a QR code and see what happens.
Best Location When Using QR Codes
The best location for your QR code is just as important. Some kinds of marketing collateral are great for QR codes, while others are not so great. Some of the most effective places to publish QR codes are brochures and pamphlets, business cards, point-of-sale receipts, product inserts and packaging, and restaurant menus. On the other hand, the worst places to publish them are in billboards, clothing, vehicles, online, and on anything that moves constantly.
These days, consumers are quickly becoming more and more open to scanning QR codes. So now would be the perfect time to start looking into the possible marketing potential for QR codes at your business. QR codes might not be the easiest marketing tool to effectively use, but they are powerful with a little strategy to back them up. Contact a reputable internet marketing firm now so you can get started.