What is a QR Code?
QR Codes, in a nutshell, are bar codes that link to a web page. QR stands for Quick Response, which bypasses the need for a person to type in a web address, hence quicker access to information. It saves people the time it takes to input data manually by sharing information instantly. They are always square. The black shapes on the code contain pertinent information about the object being scanned with your smartphone camera. Once scanned, the information is sent to your phone. It’s a quick and easy way for people to get more information about a product or service, research a product while on the go and even sign up for a mailing list.
QR codes can be either static or dynamic. Dynamic QRs are used in printed marketing because they are editable if mistakes are made. The coded information can be changed and edited from a dashboard without recalling and reprinting or changing the QR code. This ensures no reruns to replace faulty printed media, saving companies and not-for-profits hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars.
QR Codes are hugely popular in the US, Europe, and Asia. Australia has been slow on the uptake, but it’s slowly creeping into the marketing strategy of large retailers, government, and commercial events.
QR Codes can be used in a huge variety of ways. Some of the most common ways they can be used are:
- Magazines: a magazine article may be too long to publish in print version and only give a synopsis of the topic. To give readers the opportunity to read the full article the magazine may put a QR code at the end of the printed version. This Read More code will go into more detail on their website so people can read articles more in-depth than a publisher can justify in a text format
- Boosting brand awareness: such as digitised coupons and discounts with strong branding messages. Invite potential customers to scan their code so they get 10% off your goods and services. Customers will see a summary of your business with links and call-to-actions. During the coupon redeeming process, the customer gets sent to your landing page which may generate more leads for your business
- Art galleries: art galleries often have many artworks on exhibit and it wouldn’t be possible to have tags with extensive information accompanying each piece. This is where a QR code comes in. The QR code would have information about the work, the year of production, a bio of the artist, and any other relevant facts. All the gallery visitor needs to do is scan the QR Code with their smartphone and they’ve got all the info they need on their screen
- Guerrilla marketing: is there a lamp post you’d like to glue a gig poster to or tack onto an overcrowded community notice board? To jostle for space all you need is a QR Code with the gig details that punters can scan with their smartphone
- Packaging: companies incorporate QR codes on the back of product packages that link to their website, more information about the product, a competition or a discount for being a repeat customer, or instructions on how to use the product. For food products links to nutritional information, free recipes, and cooking tips
- YouTube: YouTubers are now converting their videos into QR codes. The advantage of this is to package lengthy tutorials for example, into a more compact code on your landing page. The QR code allows YouTubers to upload multiple videos and displays them in a smart phone friendly format. On a QR-coded video, you can brand your summary page with colours, logo, social media, and landing page links
- Business cards: QR codes are effective on business cards. One scan of a code on your card will direct the customer to a summary page with links to your website, social media, YouTube channel, your portfolio, business brochures, and a lot more
- Advertising campaigns: dynamic QR codes are reviving printed marketing material. Brochures, coupons, and other printed media with a Dynamic QR code capture consumer information such as whether print media influenced purchase behaviour, and tracks the links clicked and leads on landing pages. Tracking is dynamic in real-time, collecting information on time, location, and device your QR code was scanned
- Cafe windows: to see the latest menu, make a booking, or order take away, cafes are displaying their unique QR code on their windows
- Vehicles: display advertising with QRs on the sides of trucks enticing a scan now to shop, on fast food delivery vehicles to place an order, and on bike hire to unlock to ride
- Websites: long-form articles can be shortened with a synopsis followed by a QR code that allows the reader to scan it onto their smartphone for later reading. QRs are used as authentication processes to make transitions between smartphone apps and desktops seamless. Links to your app on your website can be instantly scanned with a QR saving your customer from having to search for it in app stores. Having your contact details in a QR on your website can be the quickest way for a client to save them
- Event ticketing: QR codes help to electronically validate a ticket. But much more than that, your ticket can include a Facebook QR code to keep patrons abreast of news and circumstances surrounding the event. You can even use the codes to link festival goers to shareable social media posting and link to timetabling and venue information.
QR codes are incredibly effective marketing tools. The younger generations have embraced this technology and are a ready market for savvy marketers. They can be customised with your style, logo, and brand. Linked to a well-branded and snappy summary page with good call-to-action buttons and focused landing pages, they can be so much more effective and accessible than your business website.
QR code generators
There are many free static code generators on the web. You may have to pay a subscription fee to have a Dynamic QR Code.
We Push Buttons and your print media campaign
If your organisation is setting up a print media campaign with QR codes we can help. We can design a brochure, poster, flyer, and ticketing package that includes commercial printing. We will supply you with digital files of your print media so you upload them as a PDF on your website or attach it in an email. We will make sure your QR code is dynamic and includes links to your landing pages, YouTube videos, and social media. Learn more about our graphic design for flyers, brochures, and posters here.
If you need publications in flip book format for your website or an eBook that can be read on a Kindle, iPad, or tablet we can set it up with a QR code.
Web design and QR codes
Do you need a well-designed summary page with great call-to-action buttons for your QR-coded products, services, and events? We can help. It’s your chance to get this right and capture your market and create brand loyalty. Make your events run smoothly with event information, timetabling, and social media participation. We are a full-service web development agency and provide top-class web design and digital marketing for your next campaign. Expand your reach and attract new business leads with combined digital and print media including QR codes. Learn more about what we can offer you here.
If you’d like more information about QR Codes why not get in contact?
Rob Jennings
