[dropcap style=”2″] I [/dropcap]t’s hard to ignore them.. they are everywhere. Magazines, postcards, business cards, newspaper ads.. etc. QR codes are hot! How can you use them to help maximize your marketing dollars? The first thing we need to do is a quick review of what QR codes are and the mechanics of how they are used.
A QR Code is a scannable/readable barcode that allows you to share text, data or a URL with people when they scan it. QR code reader apps are free and available for any smartphone. They are simple to install and easy to use. QR codes can be easily generated at dozens of online QR code generating sites, for free!! Just Google “Free QR code generator” and you will find one that suits your taste.. One of the easiest to use and with great features is http://myqr.co
Let’s review the quickest and most effective ways you can put QR codes to use in your marketing:
Use a QR code with your website address.
This is probably the most effective use of QR codes. MAKE sure you have a mobile friendly website, otherwise there is not much of a point in sending your visitors to a website they can’t see on their smartphone. The best strategy here is to send your visitors to specific “Landing Pages” of your site, depending on what you are promoting and where. The beauty of this is that you can generate different QR codes and link them to a tracking service such as https://bitly.com and several others. You can then generate reports on the visitors that come from any one of the different codes you use. This is key for measuring the effectiveness of your advertising, and with QR codes, it is VERY easy to do.
Use a QR code to display menus, promotions and service lists.
This is a very efficient way to use marketing Real Estate on post cards, fliers, magazines etc. Make it easy for your prospective customer to get all the information they need to make an informed decision. Link your QR code to price lists, menus, special promotions etc.
USE QR codes for location maps and directions.
Make it easy and convenient for your customer to find you and get directions to your location. QR codes make it a “snap” to do that.
Use QR codes on your business card.
QR codes can also display text and images. Instead of trying to pack your business card with tons of info, be minimalist, include a colorful QR code and leave a lasting impression. Once the customer or prospect scans the business card.. they can get ANY type of information you have programmed into that QR code in the form of a Vcard! Here are a couple examples of what that looks like:
(CLEARLY! you don’t have to use stickers on your cards, you can have them pre-printed, see below!)
Here are some more fun ways to use QR codes – some have nothing to do with business 🙂
The above examples are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the many different uses for QR codes. If you decide QR codes are something you want to implement, there is quite a bit of information on the web you can access that will make it easy for you to put this great tool to work. Feel free to contact us as well if we can be of assistance in this area.