Sales and Marketing - Jen Jordan

QR Code Strategies: Scan Your Way to A Better Small Business

In today’s busy world, delivering information to potential customers is challenging. You have so much you want to tell them about your small business but limited space and even less time to grab their attention.

This is where QR codes can deliver valuable information, marketing content, payment details, and more in a tiny space.

In previous blogs, we’ve explored how consumers use their phones to shop and engage with businesses. QR codes are a powerful tool to connect with current and potential customers.

Ways to Use QR Codes:

• Marketing - Let QR codes direct customers to your advertisements. Flyers, web content, social media ads, coupons, promotional campaigns, sales events, app downloads, and other marketing content can lead customers through your sales process while growing your social media audience.
• On Packaging - Using QR codes on your packages can lead customers to nutritional information/ingredients, directions, a demo, how-to movies, FAQs, or even a simple thank you message.
• Engagement - Many current and potential customers don’t have time to stop and learn about your business. A QR code allows them to scan and save the content on their phones to peruse later. You can create games, loyalty programs, a menu of services, or digital business cards to keep their attention. Codes can direct people to a landing page or a custom invitation to sign up for an email list.
• Data Collection - QR codes can help small businesses collect and analyze data. Code data can include anything from how many people scanned the code and the geographic location to the time of day and any links the individual clicked on in the shopping process. You can also link QR codes to events or sales to collect participation data.
• Feedback and Surveys - Providing a dedicated QR code for surveys will simplify the process for your customers to give valuable feedback. This can lead to higher-quality data for your business.
• Payments - QR codes can provide a safe and contactless payment platform. You can also use this payment method to link to related programs, products, or services.
• Videos and Tutorials - QR codes can direct people to a virtual tour of your small business. You could also link it to "how-to" tutorials, FAQs, and other helpful videos. It is a great way to excite and educate customers.
• Wi-Fi Access - Using a QR code to provide in-house Wi-Fi information has multiple benefits. Customers can connect easily without asking a staff member for the details.
• Employee Training - QR codes aren’t just for customers. They can provide a simple way for employees to view training handbooks, videos, memos, or anything you need them to review. This streamlines new-hire and continuing education training processes throughout your small business.

Think Outside The Box:

QR codes can also provide information outside of your typical business information to truly capture attention.

Consider using QR codes to send customers to:

• Images
• Scavenger hunts
• Video messages
• AR experiences
• Recipes
• Travel information
• Your corporate social responsibility campaign (CSR)
• Handicap-accessible content for blind or visually impaired customers

These are all ways to offer customers more valuable content. Making the experience accessible, fun, and beneficial for people can boost your social media, create loyal customers, and create new interest.

Creative Codes:

While a conventional-looking QR code will get the job done, you can really express your small business personality. Consider some of these ideas to make your QR codes more unique:

• Use Color - This is a chance to build or continue brand colors. You can even use gradient or watercolor effects in creating your code as long as it’s easy to scan.
• Use Textures - Make codes pop with patterns or pixels.
• Incorporate Artwork - Your code can be in the middle of art or a frame. Use artwork or symbols around the code to draw people to the code.
• Make It Festive - use seasonal themes to dress up your QR codes.
• Let It Glow - Embedding glow-in-the-dark elements can be eye-catching and powerful in low-lit places, at nighttime, or on holidays.

QR codes offer many cost-effective possibilities to attract new customers, create customer loyalty, grow your social media, deliver information, and meet people where they are. They can also provide a fun and creative way to showcase your brand and allow people to become more familiar with your small business. Get creative and start using QR codes to build your business.

References:

https://www.optimum.com/business/blog/qr-codes-for-small-businesses#:~:text=Making%20payments,your%20business%20runs%20more%20efficiently.

https://www.linkedin.com/advice/0/what-benefits-challenges-using-qr-codes-mobile#:~:text=QR%20codes%20can%20connect%20print,and%20what%20they%20did%20afterwards.

https://mention.com/en/blog/creative-ways-to-use-qr-codes/#:~:text=Business%20Cards,contact%20information%20to%20their%20phone.&text=Likewise%2C%20the%20QR%20code%20on,company's%20website%20or%20contact%20page.

https://www.vistaprint.com/hub/why-your-business-needs-qr-codes