What is a QR code?
A QR code is a barcode that can be read by smartphones and other devices with a camera. When scanned, a QR code can take the user to a website, download an app, or display text.
QR codes are becoming increasingly popular as a marketing tool. They offer a quick and easy way for businesses to engage with their customers.
Do QR codes work for marketing?
According to Bitly, QR Codes have seen a massive boost in 2022.
“In the first half of 2022 we saw a whopping 152% growth in QR Code creations compared to the same period one year ago.”
Source: Bitly QR Code Index Report
This growth is especially true in Australia where there was a 377% year-on-year growth compared to 2021. Driven by the pandemic and the major use in the retail and hospitality sectors, QR codes are now being used across industries including finance, healthcare, education and software.
In relation to if they work for marketing, QR codes bridge the gap between offline and online marketing channels. When compared to written URLs, QR codes allow customers to easily and quickly take action from a range of offline materials.
Ways to incorporate QR codes throughout the marketing journey
QR codes can be used throughout a customer’s journey with your business. From a communication and marketing perspective, there are a range of ways you can leverage QR codes to drive people online.
These include:
- Events and conferences
- Printed flyers and collateral
- User onboarding
- Virtual business cards
- Brochures and promotional material
- TV and video advertisements
- Direct mail and advertisements
- In-store collateral
An important thing to note is that you should track the different QR codes you have so that you can determine the effectiveness of the online channels being used to drive action.
What can a QR code link to?
When using QR codes throughout different marketing collateral, you will want to direct people to a specific call to action. Some examples include:
- Contact website page
- Booking website page
- Newsletter website page
- Competition sign up
- Social media pages
- Review sites (e.g. Google Page, Facebook Review Page, Trip Advisor etc.)
- Feedback surveys
- Online forms
- Online videos
- Event sign-up forms
- PDFs and ebooks
- App Store page
- Podcast Link
- Email address
Where can I get a QR code?
QR code generators are becoming more popular as they increase in usage. Here are some online providers that will generate QR codes for your business.
Adobe Indesign
If you already have an Adobe subscription, you can use Indesign to create a QR code.
Learn more here: https://helpx.adobe.com/au/indesign/using/generate-qr-code.html
Adobe Express
As above, if you have an Adobe Subscription you can use Adobe Express to create a QR Code. You can also sign up for a free Adobe Express Account: https://www.adobe.com/express/feature/image/qr-code-generator
QR code generator
This online QR code generator is powered by Bitly - a leading link-tracking tool.
There is a free or paid version available.
https://www.qr-code-generator.com/
Canva
Canva has increased in popularity massively over the past few years, if you already are a subscriber you can use their QR code generator.
https://www.canva.com/qr-code-generator/
