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You’ve seen them, you’ve probably scanned them, and you may have even promoted your business with them: QR codes.
QR codes, or Quick Response codes, were created in 1994 by Denso Wave, a company specializing in automatic identification products (think barcodes and accompanying gadgets). Originally used to track parts in vehicle manufacturing, QR codes quickly gained popularity in Japan due to their ability to store more information than traditional barcodes, then eventually hit smartphones everywhere.
Despite being a widely used hip trend for a minute, their global use eventually diminished and they lost popularity. By 2019, it was pretty much a sure thing that QR codes were on their way out—until the pandemic. Suddenly, the world had this nifty tool at its fingertips; they were used in countless ways, including contact tracing, digital menus in restaurants, vaccine passport verification, virtual events registration, and touchless payment methods in stores.
But as time went on and the world slowly returned to “post-pandemic,” QR code popularity not only stayed, it continued to grow. According to a survey conducted by Statista, in 2020, 11.8% of respondents in the United States used QR codes regularly. In 2021, that number increased to 16.3%. QR Tiger found that in 2022, QR codes generated by users accumulated a total of 6,825,842 scans from global users—a 433% increase from 2021.
So, how can brands leverage QR codes to reach or interact with their target audience?
Here are five ways to use QR codes:
1. Interactive Experiences
Brands can use QR codes for customized features such as personalized content, experiential marketing, and extended reality (XR). By scanning codes, customers or participants can unlock exclusive content or participate in interactive experiences.
2. Coupons and Discounts
Brands can use QR codes to offer customers exclusive discounts or coupons. This not only incentivizes customers to make a purchase, but it also provides valuable data to the brand about the effectiveness of their marketing efforts.
3. Event Promotion
QR codes can be used to promote events such as concerts or festivals. By scanning the code, customers can quickly access information about the event, purchase tickets, or even receive a discount code.
4. Social Media
Brands can use QR codes to drive traffic to their social media profiles. By placing a QR code on a physical advertisement or product, customers can quickly follow the brand on social media and stay up-to-date on their latest offerings.
5. Customer Feedback
QR codes can be used to gather customer feedback. By scanning the code, customers can quickly access a survey or feedback form, allowing the brand to gather valuable insights into their customer base.
In addition to these examples, there are countless other ways that brands can use QR codes to reach their audience—they have become ubiquitous in modern society and an important tool for modern marketing.
So, in what creative way will you use QR codes for your brand?