Enhancing Digital Signage Advertising With a QR Code Sign
A QR code sign can unlock many great possibilities for advertising in the digital era, making you stand out from all the other ads in the market.
This captivating mobile-first ad material can maximize your potential customer base in both physical and digital spaces.
As one of the most effective forms of advertising, many brands have used QR code-based digital signage to increase brand awareness, bridge the information gap from physical to digital, and provide multi-channel marketing to customers.
The good news is that you can begin creating branded QR codes for free using Free QR Code Generator.
Explore the world of QR code advertising and discover how you can use these digital tools to create standout ads.
Table of Contents
Understanding QR codes in digital signage
QR code marketing is now a big deal.
Eye-catching ads in digital signage can result in 85% of customers noticing the ad compared to other mediums. Indeed, it’s one of the most effective advertising strategies, but even then, it’s not perfect.
One challenge with digital signage is that brands can’t gauge message retention and engagement rates using measurable metrics. This hinders them from creating actionable solutions to improve their ads.
That’s where QR codes come in. These smartphone-scannable codes have the capacity to transport users to more interactive digital content beyond the signage and even let you track interactions through scan data.
Integrating QR code design into digital signage then can address these challenges and boost the effectiveness of your ads, too. Here’s a detailed discussion of the advantages of QR codes in signs:
Provide contactless information access
One of the most significant features of QR codes is their capability to share information using contactless methods. No need for physical interactions like a sales pitch or distribution of posters, brochures, flyers, and leaflets.
By integrating these codes in digital signage, brands can easily relay information that would otherwise be said during a pitch or printed in promotional materials. Interested customers can scan the code to access more information about the ad.
Through this method, brands can also measure the number of interested customers more efficiently based on the number of total QR code scans.
Launch interactive marketing campaigns
Digital signage solutions are great tools for launching interactive QR code signage campaigns. For example, you can use these codes to compel users to download an app, visit your website, or lead them to a product page about your new launch.
Interaction means better user engagement and more leads, which can turn into a potential sales boost for your business.
What’s great about interaction using QR codes is that it is based on scanning using smartphones. With the information readily available in their pockets, customers can readily access the information whenever, wherever.
Bring customers from physical to digital
Among the many challenges that a QR code sign solves is that it can easily bring your physical customers to your digital assets. This should further expand your brand awareness not only physically but also digitally.
In addition to boosting brand awareness, digital ads, when paired with QR codes, can streamline customer experiences from attention to action. Brands can lead customers to the desired action that they want customers to have.
For example, brands can use these codes to redirect interested customers to their website to boost traffic, email newsletters to encourage sign-ups, or e-commerce platforms to generate.
Bringing them closer to these digital assets can greatly increase the likelihood that they will proceed with whatever your desired action is.
Practical applications of a QR code sign across industries
QR codes in digital signage are commonly used in the advertising industry, but there are numerous scenarios where these codes can be useful. Notable examples include:
Enhance retailers’ customer and shopping experiences
Retailers use a banner QR code in a number of applications to enhance shopping experiences.
One of the most common ways to use these codes in signage is to allow customers to pay for their purchases using contactless methods via mobile wallets and online banks. Self-checkout enables quicker transaction times for customers.
Enhancing shopping experiences also means establishing strong after-sales support. QR codes in product packaging, for one, allow customers to access additional information, leave customer reviews, and receive promotional offers.
Improve commuting with digital signage solutions
Digital displays and ads QR code as signage can greatly improve mobility within the city, particularly for commuters.
Placing them across all train stations and bus stops, for instance, allows commuters to easily scan them to access real-time updates on the next train or bus. This can help them manage their commuting times more efficiently.
Moreover, these codes can be used in tickets to allow for a more streamlined check-in system in airports and seaports.
Reduce the need for personnel in hotels and restaurants
The hospitality industry may require plenty of staff, particularly in hotels and restaurants because there are a lot of processes and procedures that need to be taken care of.
Fortunately, mobile scanning technology lets you prompt customers to order at their own pace with digital menus. This is effective in reducing the number of servers in a restaurant, even during peak hours.
Moreover, hotels can place QR codes in digital signage that guests can scan to gain access to amenities, services, and attractions. This should reduce the number of personnel needed to manage hotel operations all at once.
Streamline event management and organization
Event management and organization can be challenging, especially for whole-day or even multiple-day events that may require adjustments on the spot.
Relaying these changes to attendees can be quite a challenge, especially for large crowds.
Making public announcements can address this problem, but attendees may easily miss or mishear them. It’s best to supplement this with another medium to ensure clear communication across all platforms.
With print magazine ads or signages, event organizers can provide contactless information access to schedule adjustments, speaker changes, and more.
Create an interactive learning experience
Learning becomes more interesting through interaction. There are different QR code tricks for education and learning that teachers can use on course materials, assignments, and classroom signages.
Students can scan these codes, which contain additional resources like online quizzes and videos. By connecting digital to physical, the teacher can discuss these resources with the whole class for a more holistic learning approach.
Leading students in online material means that all scores and activities are recorded digitally, allowing the teachers to grade their students more objectively.
How do I create a QR code for a sign with Free QR Code Generator
Fully understanding QR codes in signage means becoming fully aware that the key to successful implementation is using a QR code software with comprehensive features, such as customization, third-party integration with advertising apps, and more.
If you’re starting on your QR code-based advertising journey, it is best to choose a tool that lets you create these codes with as little as seven steps only and for free.
Here’s how you can create a QR code for digital signage:
1. Go to Free QR Code Generator online.
2. Select a QR code solution.
3. Enter the required information in the empty fields.
4. Select between Static and Dynamic QR codes, then generate.
Pro Tip: Dynamic QR codes let you edit, monitor, and track your scan data through in-platform analytics Sign up for free and create three dynamic QR codes with a 500-scan limit each.
5. Customize the QR code by choosing from different eye and pattern designs, frames, and templates. You can also add your logo, use your brand colors, and include a call to action (60 characters max).
6. Check if the customized QR code is recognizable by scanning it using your smartphone.
7. Download in PNG for digital use and SVG for prints.
Real-life use cases of QR codes in signage
Many industries are actively integrating QR codes in their signages. Here are a few examples:
Colorful QR codes by NaviLens: Making commuting a better experience for people with vision loss
QR codes are more than just interactive marketing tools for advertising—NaviLens proved that with colorful QR codes in public transportation signage.
NaviLens, the company behind this initiative, launched brightly colored patterns on a black background based on QR codes.
Integrating these bright-colored blocks is a strategic choice to help people with vision loss see it more clearly in public transportation stations.
Once scanned, these codes can provide real-time navigation, complete with audio and haptic cues, to direct commuters from the elevator, station, platform, and into the train or bus.
It’s great for commuters who may not be familiar with the local language, as these codes are available in 34 different languages.
Many cities, including Barcelona, Vancouver, New York, and London, have already used NaviLens' innovation.
Proving its positive impacts and benefits, many more cities will surely follow suit and integrate these codes into their public transportation systems.
New angling regulations and fishing guide: Upholding conservation efforts in community lakes
A QR code sign is what the councilor for the RM of Sifton, Scott Phillip, has chosen to share information among fishers at community lake sites.
Scanning the code led fishers to the latest regulations on angling and fishing, which can be summarized as “Walleye/Sauger possession limit—4 fish—and they must be between 35 cm and 55 cm (13.58 inches to 21.65 inches).”
Anything smaller or larger than the said size must be returned to the lake.
This new regulation is part of Manitoba Conservation's larger effort regarding angling rules and invasive species. The signage was put up in 14 spots across Westman, and many more are in the pipeline.
"Hopefully this will help combat overfishing and unstable fishing practices," Phillips remarked.
Modern signage for the modern times
Modern times require modern solutions—that is where digital and even traditional signage with QR codes shine!
From retail to education, these black-and-white two-dimensional patterns have greatly enhanced user experiences, increased a brand’s leads and sales, created interactive engagements, and allowed for quick and convenient information sharing.
Time and again, QR codes demonstrate that they can be one of the best solutions for staying ahead of the curve in an ever-interconnected online world.
Learn more about the endless possibilities of QR codes in the digital era. Visit Free QR Code Generator now.
Frequently asked questions
How can QR codes enhance customer engagement?
QR codes enhance customer engagement in a number of ways, namely:
- Providing access to product information, reviews, and promotional offers
- Creating interactive experiences, such as online contests or exclusive content
- Connect customers to a brand’s websites or social media profiles,
- Streamline processes for payments and check-ins
These customer engagement applications through QR codes encourage deeper brand interaction and improve overall customer experiences.
What information can be embedded in a QR code?
The information that can be embedded in QR codes is endless—your creativity is the limit! Some of the most common ones include:
- URLs to direct users to websites or landing pages.
- Virtual business cards to save contact information directly to phones
- Plain text messages for guides and instructions
- Pre-written SMS messages
- Wi-Fi credentials
And many more!
