QR code example use cases in traditional marketing
Some might say that QR codes are only limited to digitized marketing strategies, but that’s definitely not the case.
These codes are potent tools you can seamlessly integrate into existing traditional marketing and connect them to digital campaigns.
Here are four strategic QR code example applications you can try for your business:
Outbound marketing
QR codes on billboards, print advertisements, or even product packaging can easily connect your offline marketing initiatives with your targeted online campaigns.
In fact, this strategy has been around since 2010 and has been proven effective.
Remember those clickbait Victoria's Secret billboards over 10 years ago? They were among the most appealing and scan-worthy retail QR code billboard campaigns in the fashion industry.
Or how about Lays’ product packaging QR code? The US-favorite potato chip brand tried out QR codes to provide food information to consumers.
Once scanned, Lays QR code leads purchasers to a website where they can read further details about the chips they’re eating.
You can also jump in on this strategy.
Curious viewers can scan your code to be instantly redirected to a dedicated product or service landing page, a compelling video advertisement, or even claim a limited-time discount coupon.
Personalized marketing
Yep, you can use QR codes to personalize the marketing experience.
The best example for this is adding QR codes on your product packaging that link your target users or customers to a user experience based on past purchases or browsing history.
Vaseline perfectly took advantage of this functionality.
The petroleum jelly company launched its See My Skin database, which was accessible either via direct web search or QR code scanning.
Once scanned, the database offers an online consultation regarding proper care tips for specific skin conditions.
This level of individualization promotes brand loyalty and even increases the perceived value of the product.
Direct mail marketing
Traditional flyers often struggle with engagement and measurement. However, QR codes can breathe new life into these campaigns.
By adding a QR code to your flyer and linking it to an online page, you provide an incentive for potential customers to retain the flyer and explore further.
The QR code can even track the number of scans, providing valuable insights into campaign effectiveness. With these numbers, you can refine your targeting strategy for future iterations.
Stealth marketing
QR codes can be creatively woven into street art or guerrilla marketing campaigns to spark curiosity and generate organic brand discovery.
One of the best on the list is Paramount’s QR code drone for their Halo the Series promotion at the SXSW in Austin, Texas.
The code redirected onlookers to a website where they could watch the series’ trailer and join the countdown of the launch.
Boasting a 600-feet stretch in the night sky, the drone QR definitely garnered traffic and scans all the way to downtown Austin.
This smart gimmick leverages the power of “discovery” to generate organic brand awareness. It’s a subtle yet effective way to pique interest and get people talking about your brand.
Innovative ways to use QR codes in digital marketing
QR code usage is more than just a thing for billboards. They’re becoming a good partner for your digital marketing, too.
Here are seven cool ways to use QR codes to amplify your digital marketing:
Inbound marketing
QR codes can be used to direct potential customers to your website.
Try placing these codes on physical advertisements, flyers, or product packaging and see how it will drive traffic to specific landing pages designed to capture leads.
You can redirect them to online content such as eBooks, whitepapers, or other brand information.
Your leads can quickly access and download these resources, providing you with the opportunity to collect their contact information.
Content marketing
You can enhance your print media campaigns by embedding QR codes advertising in magazines, brochures, or posters.
These codes can link to additional content like videos, blogs, or case studies, improving the user experience and extending your content’s reach.
So, you can offer more information and perhaps perks, too, by simply attaching an inch-size QR code to your printed content.
Here’s another innovative use of QR codes in everyday life of a marketer: embed your social media profiles into the code and incorporate the code into your printed ads. This is made possible with a social media QR code generator.
Through this easy strategy, your customers can follow your brand without manually searching for you on each platform.
Even better, you can use a QR code for social media and online marketing to promote social media campaigns, special events, and promos.
When scanned, these codes can take users directly to the intended social media post, boosting participation and impression way more seamlessly than before.
Influencer marketing
Partnering up with influencers? You can never go wrong with that.
Digital Marketing Institute revealed in an article that 69% of consumers trust brand recommendations from influencers.
This strategy will help you increase brand awareness, boost sales, and reach the targeted audience.
Plus, you can improve all these advantages by incorporating QR codes.
Provide your partner influencers with unique QR codes that they can share with their audience.
Scanning it can take viewers to a special product page featuring a discount code specific to the influencer or unlock exclusive content.
This allows you to track the performance of individual influencers and point out which collabs are getting the best traction.
Search engine marketing
Ever seen a QR code displayed in a search engine ad? While it might seem surprising, it’s a growing trend.
QR codes in Search Engine Marketing (SEM) ads provide access to valuable information, grabbing your target users’ attention and potentially influencing their buying decisions at the crucial search stage.
For businesses with physical locations, you can leverage local SEO strategy.
Place your QR codes on storefronts or any local ads. These codes could redirect onlookers to your Google My Business profile, reviews, or other special offers online, boosting your local search visibility.
Email marketing
Do you feel like your newsletter is becoming too generic? Shake it up with a QR code call to action campaign.
You can incorporate a QR code in your email newsletter that links to a personalized video message welcoming or onboarding new subscribers.
Offering a discount based on their purchase history, or routing to a sign-up page for your webinars and other events can also be another method.
Ultimately, adding QR codes in digital marketing via email makes your regular newsletters more engaging and valuable for your subscribers.
Affiliate marketing
QR codes can simplify the process of sharing affiliate links.
Your chosen affiliates can distribute codes that link directly to the product or service they’re promoting.
This makes it easier for potential customers to discover your products through various channels, and you’ll get insights into the sales generated through this partnership.
In a way, it’s similar to how influencer marketing works. But unlike influencer marketing, where you’re paying for product placements or brand visibility, affiliate marketing payment comes in the form of commission or reward.
Why should you use QR codes in marketing?
Here’s a breakdown of how QR codes can benefit your marketing efforts:
Boosts engagements
Handing out flyers, posters, and even business cards isn’t enough. At the end of the day, they’ll only end up in the bin.
But when you add flyers and brochures QR code, you can still generate impressions on your social media posts, traffic on your website, or leads on your ads.
And it won’t matter if the printed materials are thrown out into the trash because you’ve already maximized your QR code campaigns.
This helps you retarget your visitors and convert them into paying customers in no time.
Digital security
QR codes themselves are inherently secure. The data they contain is encrypted, making it difficult to hack or manipulate.
This is crucial for businesses that want to ensure the information they share with customers, such as discount codes or product authenticators, remains valid and secure.
Editable and customizable
Unlike traditional marketing materials like brochures or flyers, QR codes offer the advantage of being editable.
With the right QR code software, you can create a dynamic QR code.
This means that the information linked to the code can be updated even after it’s printed or distributed.
Imagine using QR codes in real estate marketing. You can just hand out one flyer or poster design once! No need to go out into the open after a new sale comes in or an open house is scheduled again.
Simply access your chosen QR code software, update the information attached to the QR code, and you’re all set.
Anyone who received your previously sent-out flyers will access the new information once they scan the DIY QR code.
Track campaigns through a free QR code generator
Many QR code platforms come with analytic tools.
You have to make sure you’re choosing the one that lets you track the number of times your code is scanned, the demographics of those who scanned it, and even the time of day it was scanned.
This valuable data provides insights into campaign effectiveness and helps you refine your future marketing strategies.
QR codes can store up to 4,296 characters or 7,089 digits.
This massive storage capacity allows it to encode a variety of information relevant to your marketing campaigns.
No more printing out lengthy website links, product specifications, care instructions, or links to a recipe database on a limited packaging surface.
You can embed these data into the QR code, customize it, and deploy it in your marketing materials.
How to generate QR codes using Free QR Code Generator
1. Open Free QR Code Generator on your browser.
2. Decide on the type of QR code you want to create. Most platforms will offer options such as URL, File, vCard, and Social Media. Choose the one that best fits your needs.
3. Enter the information requirement of that solution, then click ‘generate QR code’
4. Customize the QR code's appearance by adding your logo or changing the color, eye, and pattern designs.
5. Run a test on your QR code using your own device to check if it’s working and download. You can print the QR code if desired.
Integrate QR codes in marketing to clinch your business goals
Transform your billboards with a QR code that whisks onlookers to a product video or your magazine ad with a code linking to more exclusive content.
These are just two ways how QR codes help you get better traction out of every marketing campaign you can think of.
Not only that, but you can also make your static ads more interactive for your target audience, driving more traffic and attracting potential customers.
So, why settle for basic marketing when you can do more with a QR code?
If you want to give them a try, visit Free QR Code Generator today and start spicing up your campaigns.
FAQs
Why is QR code important in business?
QR codes offer a strategic advantage for businesses by seamlessly connecting traditional marketing materials to the dynamic digital landscape.
This cost-effective and secure technology allows you to embed rich data within a scannable image, fostering deeper customer engagement and driving measurable results.
What are QR codes used for in marketing?
QR codes in marketing bridge the gap between physical and digital experiences.
They can be scanned with smartphones to unlock hidden content, discounts, product info or even launch interactive features, all driving engagement and conversions.
