This post is not about showing that QR Codes have a benefit over barcodes. A QR Code was developed to be superior to the barcode for inventory management. Here are four reasons they’re superior to barcodes.
This article focuses on the benefits of using a QR Code when used in printing promotions. QR Codes are a significant step up from the inventory management tools. They are now extensively being used in sectors such as marketing too.
These QR Codes open up multiple options for marketers to connect with their customers. How?
Using QR Codes printed on paper allows consumers to engage in ways that are:
1. Rapid and free of errors
If QR Codes are not available The only way to connect consumers to online content is to use a URL. But typing URLs is slow and unpractical on a mobile screen.
Consumers are also likely to make mistakes while typing. In contrast the scanning of a QR Code is a more efficient and error-free.
In 2015 Chicago’s Wintrust Financial and technology provider FIS introduced around 200 ATMs. These ATMs feature QR Code-based cardless transaction capabilities.
Customers can withdraw cash simply using a QR code at the ATM screen, using their Wintrust app.
In the opinion of Wintrust in conjunction with FIS, QR Code-based cardless cash withdrawal takes just 8 seconds compared to 47 seconds for regular withdrawal.
2. More information
In contrast to online marketing printed-based marketing has some limitations. Particularly in the real estate industry. There’s only what you can do in a newspaper advertisement, brochures, and packaging for your product, do you think? Wrong.
With QR Codes you are able to give consumers a way to access unlimited information.
In 2015, the popular product in India – Maggi noodles – was banned. This was because of claims by authorities that it had unacceptably high levels of lead.
The ban was lifted shortly thereafter however Nestle recognized that the population had trust issues. To regain their trust, Nestle took various steps to demonstrate its conformity with health standards and legal requirements. In order to do this they provided a comprehensive listing of the ingredients they use and other important information with customers. It could be about safety, environment, society and food recipes.
Evidently, it wasn’t able to print all this information onto the packaging. The company therefore added a QR Code which led buyers to the mobile site that had all this information.
3. Engaging with rich content
Words are great. A photograph can be worth 1000 words.
Video, on the other hand, contains many thousands of pictures. Audio is also more convenient. Unfortunately, you cannot use these kinds of high-quality media through printed promotions, unless you’ve added a QR Code.
Utilizing QR Codes marketers can distribute rich content through their printed advertisements. In turn, they’ll get an increase in engagement from their target audience. For instance, the packaged food company Chef’s Basket added a QR Code on the packaging of its pasta product. When scanned this QR Code redirects the consumers to a video explaining the recipe of the pasta dish.
4. Affordable
While print media works as a branding tool but it’s not as interactive as outdoor or digital marketing. However, with QR Codes it is.
By incorporating a QR Code it is possible to make your promotions interactive and collect inputs from your intended audience. You can host an online contest, ask people to register for a particular event or product and collect feedback from them, or allow your customers to purchase directly from the flyer or newspaper advert.
A great example is “World Park’ which was a campaign using QR Codes that was run in Central Park in New York. Central Park in 2010. QR Codes on boards were set up in various locations within the park. If you scan QR codes, QR Codes enticed visitors to take part in a Quiz on the park’s past pop culture, pop music and art, as well as geoscience and science.
5. Trackable
If you’re a marketer, then you know the importance of analytics. It provides useful insights into your target audience. This helps you to identify areas of strength and weakness.
Print media, however, on by itself, lacks ability to track in contrast to digital media. This is where QR Codes help you out. QR Codes let you measure the effectiveness of print media marketing by tracking their scanning activity. For example how many have been scanning it, at what point do they have to scan it and from where did they scan it.
Additionally, it also offers an additional feature known as event tracking. It will show you how users interact with the data encoded in the QR Code after scanning it. It could, for instance, be clicking on a button that reads ‘Sign-up’ or “Register Now’.
Based on this information you will be able to optimize your future campaigns better.
6. Simple to save money
Another benefit to QR Codes has to do with the fact that the user can easily save the information on their phones.
For example, if you scan a Dynamic Vcard QR-Code, then a mobile site that contains your contact information will appear. The page has an ‘Add to Contacts’ button that allows users to directly save the contact’s information on their smartphone.
It is easy to convert your barcodes into QR Codes. Utilizing the QR Code in a printed advertisement can give it a new life. Marketers can engage their clients with engaging methods while making the entire process faster and more convenient.
How do you create QR Codes?
Now you understand the benefits having a QR Code can offer you. The next question is how to make one?
1. One at one
If you don’t require hundreds and thousands of QR Codes, then this is the right choice for you. There is several QR Code categories to choose from. Depending upon your use-case it is possible to pick an appropriate category.
To create one, you’ll need the QR code generator. A simple Google search will bring up many options to choose from.
2. Develop QR Codes mass
If you’re looking to create QR Codes large quantities, you’ll need an automated bulk QR Code generation service. It allows you to create hundreds of QR Codes in one time. You can choose from QR Codes for Website URLs and QR Codes with simple text, Serial Code QR Codes and VCard QR codes.
Simply upload a data file with all the details that need to be encoded. Then, you must wait for the QR codes to be generated and save them in the zip folder.
3. Create QR Codes by programming
If you want to integrate QR code generation within your information system, QR Code API can help you achieve this.
It allows you to generate QR Codes programmatically in real-time via your own information system. There is no manual intervention required to generate QR Codes.
Best Practices
Alongside the advantages Apart from these advantages, you need to be aware of the top techniques when working with QR Codes:
1. Incorporate an appropriate CTA
CTA translates to ‘Call-to-action’. It is a small instruction that nudges people to do the action required.
It could be as simple as “Scan Here to View the website” or ‘Scan this page to view the file or file’.
2. Create a logo for the QR Code
If you’re planning to utilize QR Codes for printing media or other creatives, you could make them yourself. That’s because customized QR Codes attract the audience’s attention , and consequently, gain more scans.
3. Test scan the QR Code
It is always recommended to check it with a QR Code before putting them out to the intended customers.
4. Select the ideal printing format
If you’re planning to use QR Codes for printing media, or even large posters and billboards, it’s recommended to export them to high-resolution formats such as SVG, EPS, or PDF. This ensures you that your QR Code doesn’t get pixelated regardless of how much the resizing process is carried out.
That’s it. This is all you need to be aware of the benefits of the QR Code.
