We are seeing more and more QR codes pop up on a variety of marketing pieces, banners, business cards, and other promotional materials. It was developed with the smartphone as a way to drive traffic to specific web pages and simplify adding business contacts to your rolodex.
There are pros and cons to using them in your marketing pieces. One of the biggest reasons that they have not flourished is that many do not already have a QR scanner downloaded. And still others say that it is similar to carrying a passport when you have no intention of leaving the country we all live in a digital world. There is no sense in adding a QR code to digital materials.
Printed materials, coupons, and mailers all benefit from using the QR codes. So if you are using any printed media, this is a route you should be taking for your business.
Tips for Using QR Codes
Your business is moving into the digital world, whether or not you really want it to. You need to have a website, a marketing plan, and now you need a plan for how to get consumers to engage with your brand. More than just a promotion, you need to get people actively involved with your company.
One of the easiest ways to do this is to start implementing QR codes within your printed marketing pieces. But the way the QR codes are scanned, means you need to have somewhere for them to go. An uploaded PDF online, a specific mobile optimized page to drive traffic to, or an app link that will be opened.
Take your printed marketing pieces to any local shop providing printing in Jackson. They will be able to deliver quality printed to allow your QR code to be easily scanned and deliver traffic to your website or other link.
Creative Marketing with QR Codes
QR codes may be ugly and take up space on your marketing pieces, but there are creative ways to integrate a QR code on your product or banner. Research has shown that QR codes are most commonly used when potential target audience is between point A and B, since there is time to spend researching and fiddling with their phones.
Your brand has a physical presence, whether you are buying ad space or not. You are capable of printing a QR code on menus, window cling, or brochure at the front door. People have downtime in many places, from waiting rooms to restaurants. People will research in this time, so make sure to creatively apply the QR codes everywhere you can. This can link to coupons, other offers, or special apps built just for your customers.
So while there is a debate going on about the value of the QR codes you can rest assured that all marketing efforts can be of value. Just remember not to use a digital code on a digital piece and you will be able to drive traffic and build your impressions for promotions and unique pages.