As marketing channels continue to diversify, and the gap between physical materials and digital marketing grows steadily, businesses need to focus on creating a cohesive experience that spans all their marketing mediums.
One way to create a comprehensive marketing strategy that bridges your online and offline materials is to use QR (Quick Response) codes. These unique barcodes can send users to a mobile landing page of your choice, helping to connect your marketing channels and push customers further down the sales funnel.
What are QR codes?
QR codes are two-dimensional barcodes that are shaped like a square. They contain a unique pattern that links to an online resource, such as a website or document. QR codes can also be programmed to take other actions, such as dial a phone number or view a Google Maps location. Most QR codes cost nothing to create and are easily added to any print material design.
Customers can use QR codes by scanning them with their smartphone. Today, using QR codes is easier than ever before, since most smartphones can scan codes using their built-in camera app. All the customer needs to do is open their phone, scan and be taken to your online source!
If your customers are familiar with smartphones and technology, they’ll have no trouble using QR codes. Better yet, scanning and loading your webpage takes just a few seconds, making it a fast and simple way to direct customers to the next piece of your marketing strategy.
QR codes build bridges between your marketing materials
QR codes can be posted online, but they’re best used on physical materials like magazine ads, business cards, brochures, posters and even T-shirts. Doing this ties your physical and digital marketing pieces together, creating a comprehensive experience from channel to channel.
This type of cross-channel experience is where a lot of companies lose potential customers. Think about it: Getting customers to type in a URL that’s printed on your sales sheets or flyers is unlikely. This takes time and effort that a lot of users are unwilling to sacrifice. However, using a QR code that’s easy to scan in seconds makes it more likely that your customers will take action!
Here are just a few ways you can use QR codes to connect your physical and digital materials:
- Add a QR code to your business cards that takes users directly to your company website or contact page
- Incorporate QR codes into sales materials to link potential buyers to a demo video for the product
- Add QR codes to event flyers that send users to an RSVP page with details and directions for the event
- Use QR codes on informative materials like whitepapers to let readers access extra resources like printable checklists
- Send customers to an experience survey using a QR code at the bottom of their receipt or an event material
- Add a QR code to mailed coupons that lets users take advantage of the special offer instantly
There are so many more potential uses for QR codes. Ultimately, the goal should be to link physical materials that lots of people will see to a specific landing page that offers an extension of your brand’s experience. Make sure to include brief instructions so users know what they’re getting when they scan.
Once you’ve come up with a few ways to strategically use QR codes on your materials, make sure to define metrics to track your success. Each QR code should be tracked individually to monitor the success of that particular effort.
By incorporating QR codes into your marketing strategy, you’ll have the opportunity to connect customers to your materials in new and imaginative ways. Interested in creating a marketing campaign that leverages the power of QR codes? The print and marketing experts at AlphaGraphics are here to help. Reach out today to learn more!