Do you know what QR code stands for? The answer is Quick Response code. The two-dimensional barcode has been around since 1994, invented by the Japanese automotive company Denso Wave.
A rise in smartphone ownership and internet usage – plus a growing desire for ‘contactless commerce’ in an age of Covid – has seen QR codes go from something 97% of consumers didn’t know about in 2012 to a 96% growth in QR code reach from 2018 to 2020. An estimated 5.3 billion coupon codes will be redeemed using QR codes in 2022 alone.
With any user operating a mobile phone a potential target, the opportunities to use QR codes are endless, and they’re popping up everywhere from restaurants to public WiFi points. In this blog, we’ll look at how you can get creative with QR codes in your B2B marketing strategy to generate leads.
Innovative ways to use QR codes
Clothing
People don’t expect to see QR codes on clothing. That’s why they’re the perfect place to put them. They’re eye-catching, will get people’s attention, and could become a talking point giving you a conversation-starter with potential customers.
Billboards
Another memorable way to get your QR seen (and used) is to include it on your billboard ads. Simply seeing a QR code blown up large will grab people’s attention. Just remember that your target audience should be able to engage with it as well as see it. So, if it’s out of reach (e.g. on a trackside billboard passed at 60mph) then it’s no use.
Exhibition stands
It’s not always possible to talk to every person that stops by your stand at an exhibition. Adding a QR code to your display is a great way to let people quickly and easily access information. Another option is to add QR codes to your name tags so interested parties can scan your team’s contact details and continue their conversation online.
Business cards
An estimated 27 million business cards are printed each day but 63% of people throw them away. Adding a QR code to your business card that links to your contact details, LinkedIn page, or a dedicated landing page allows the recipient to scan and save your details digitally, without having to keep hold of the business card.
Products & packaging
Adding a QR code on a product label or next to a product image is a great way of allowing interested parties to quickly discover more information. For example, a QR code on product packaging that links to a ‘how to use this product’ video is a great value-add for the end-user.
How to manage the QR code experience
First, it’s vital to test the QR code works before you send them out into the wild. You may also want to consider adding an incentive for people to scan the code, such as a discount code or access to exclusive content.
To get the most from your QR codes, be sure to use the data tracking feature. Analysing the analytics will help you to track data points such as scan rates, conversions, and click-through rates. Tracking this data will help generate leads and inform future QR code usage in your marketing strategy.
What’s next?
Of course, the QR code isn’t the be-all and end-all of a B2B marketing strategy. Think of it as the start of an engaging (and ongoing) conversation with potential customers.
That’s why it’s important to consider ‘what’s next?’ in the ongoing mission to keep your prospects engaged after securing their initial attention.
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