Bridge the Gap Between Print & Online Advertising Using QR Codes

QR Codes have a secret – a big secret that can change the dynamics of marketing.

QR codes can bring together print and online advertising at one place within a matter of a few seconds or, perhaps, based on how fast you can open your smartphone camera. They help consumers access your massive virtual world through the physical products you offer them. Therefore, advertising using QR codes opens doors to exciting ways to engage consumers.

Have you ever thought that a simple price tag on a t-shirt that customers oh-so-casually rip off and throw away can win them a heavy discount? 

Or that a product label that they don’t use beyond reading the price and expiry dates can help connect with you for a much bigger surprise? 

Yes, a QR Code can do that and magnify your brand voice, increase sales, and boost customer loyalty. 

QR Code is small, simple, cute, quirky but has a big space

QR Codes run along with smartphone technology. This means you swipe open your phone camera, scan the code on a paper, banner, tag, label, t-shirt, or wherever it is printed, and enter a different online world. Sometimes, you can do so without having an active internet connection, too. 

Initially, QR Codes were used in the automotive industry. But, now they have journeyed through different products, purposes, industries, and consumers.

Today QR Codes are everywhere and extremely used by Japan and China, so much that Apple had to remodel its product iPhone X to accommodate a QR Code, which is mandatory in China. USA, India, UK, and UAE are soon catching up with the trend. 

Regardless of your business, industry, or your whereabouts, if a portion of your consumers uses a smartphone, then you must use QR Codes to competitively differentiate your brand and reach them in an almost one-to-one way.

Why you should love QR Codes?

And guess what, a QR Code can store a lot more information than its predecessor, the barcodes. 

Barcodes have ruled products for a long time for passing information, and they still are. But, they are unappealing, stern-looking, and even though lengthy, can store not more than 20 alphanumeric characters. Additionally, they are one-dimensional, meaning a scanner can read them from left to right only.

Now the successor – QR (Quick Response) Code has a lot many benefits:

• QR codes are cute, interest-piquing, and tiny in size.
• You can print them on anything and everything – from business cards to building hoardings.
• They are CHEAP. Implementing QR codes as a marketing strategy would cost you ten times less than spending on exclusive digital marketing tools.
• QR codes can be generated in colors and with graphics and company logos.
• They are customizable according to the company’s preferences.

Moreover, they can store 20 X times more information (other than alphanumeric) than a barcode. And here’s a list of things they can hold in them:

• Website URL
• Blogs
• Social Media pages

• Ad campaigns
• YouTube video links
• Videos, audios, and images
• vCard
• Geotags
• Sign up for a newsletter or subscription
• Gift coupons and discounts
• Itinerary or calendar event
• PDF files
• Photo gallery
• Landing page links

And…Everything in between.

How do QR Codes bridge the gap?

Consumers find it very difficult to associate what is in print and what is on the web due to a lack of connection. However, if you put QR Codes on offline pages, they take consumers to online pages. 

For example, say your customer is looking through a magazine and comes across your brand’s wedding outfit ad. And, at the corner/middle of the page, they find a QR Code with the description ‘scan the code to check our entire wedding collection and matching accessories’ or ‘scan the code to get directions to our store in the city.’ The consumer (a would-be bride) immediately scans the code and goes through the collection, and if it suits their preferences, they will make a quick purchase.

If the QR was not present, the consumer may jot down your name, turn the page, and most likely forget about it. As a result, you probably lose one of your biggest consumers if they don’t get back to you.

You must use QR codes because:

• QR Codes make you attract visitors to your brand, product, store, or website twice as many times. 
• You can show your customers what goes behind making those yummy instant noodles they are having, and add a recipe or production video link in the QR Code on your product label.
• They enable your customers to connect with you and embed a Direct Message or Feedback page link.
• Track which product you sold the most, in which part of the country, or in which retail store. You can find the statistics through QR Code scans.
• You can even add a QR Code to beat counterfeiting (a widespread problem in the medical, health, food, and cosmetics industries) and protect your consumers’ interests.

Where can QR Codes be used in marketing?

You can use QR Codes in a variety of settings. In fact, if you have physical marketing material right now with you, you can print a QR Code on it and increase ROI. You can integrate QR Codes into:

• Banners
• Business cards

• Posters
• Event displays
• Product packaging
• Food labeling
• Flight/ event/ conference tickets
• Brochures, pamphlets, placards, and flyers
• Shop displays
• Shop boards
• Menu cards

• Clothes
• Postcards
• Newspapers

• Books
• Billboards

QR Codes are environment-friendly, cost-effective, convenient, easily customizable, easily manageable, device-independent, HD quality, accurate, measurable, and competitive. Therefore, businesses that employ the power of QR Codes can set themselves apart as strategic marketing leaders.

They are versatile too. So, from an individual to a building construction company, anyone can use QR Codes and earn a profit.