QR codes add a dynamic component to printed items, whether they be on marketing materials (flyers, brochures, postcards, door hangers), business cards, posters, signs, labels, receipts; fabric/clothing, or objects like bottles, cans — practically anything that can be print on directly or have a label affixed or attached.
As explained in this article: Understanding Terminology: QR Code, “QR codes are images composed of digital data that can be printed or placed on digital pages/screens. They are designed to be scannable, triggering an action by the scanning device.”
Many types of actions can be triggered to accomplish different objectives. In this article we’ll discuss the benefits of transporting someone to a particular web page.
Using QR Codes to Transport Visitors to a URL
Adding a QR code to your item gives you a chance to open or continue communication with a customer or prospect. And you make it easy and painless; instead of having to open a browser on the phone and type in a URL, the person scans the code and is transported to the web page.
On the page can be:
- A landing page or website page containing relevant information about the company, organization, product, service;
- Coupons or special offers;
- Membership offers and sign-up forms;
- Calendars for scheduling appointments;
- Newsletters, archived newsletters, newsletter sign-ups;
- Calls to action;
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- Your homepage on social media platforms;
- Anything else you can dream up!
QR Code and Branding Opportunities
As noted above, your destination page can contain more information about your product or service. Depending on what your product or service is, that information could help your branding. For instance, if you’re a restaurant with many vegetarian offerings, you could take customers to a page that describes how you source organic produce and provide links to organic farms in your area that you purchase from.
QR Code and Frequently Asked Questions
If your particular product or service tends to generate certain questions you could take people to a page that answers them.
Business Card to About or Bio Page
You can add a QR code to your business card that takes people to a page with your background details or the company “About” page.
Where you take people depends on various factors: is the piece a keeper or likely to be discarded rapidly? That would determine whether you route someone to a short-term offer versus something with more longevity like an About page or social media pages.
QR codes create opportunities for customer attraction, engagement and retention. They extend the potential payoff of discrete elements of marketing campaigns. The next time you print a marketing or communication piece, consider adding a QR code with a useful destination.
More information about other uses for QR Codes coming soon!
