The popularity and use cases of QR codes are increasing, and global brands from Starbucks to Walmart to Nestle are using them.
But what if you’re a small business trying to grow your business? Are QR codes for you?
The answer is a big YES. In fact, small businesses can benefit the most from QR codes, as they can reach consumers directly and increase leads and sales.
Here’s how small businesses can use QR codes.
Top applications of QR codes for small businesses
Look at the best ways to use QR codes for your small business.
Share complete business information
When does your store open and close?
Can I have your contact number?
How do I reach your store?
Small business owners answer these questions daily. What if you could create a portal where consumers could get all the information about your business?
Here’s where a Business Page QR code comes into the picture.
QRCodeChimp’s Business QR code solution lets you create an in-depth business page and its QR code.
On the business page, you can share all your business information, including:
- Company name, headline, and call to action (CTA)
- Address with Google Maps location
- Contact information
- Web links
- Opening hours
Upon scanning the QR code, people will reach your business page and obtain all the necessary information.
Get more Google reviews
Every small business wants more reviews. And why not? 98% of people check online reviews for a local business.
But do you ask for reviews like every other business by asking people to review you on Google? That’s quite outdated and has a low success rate, as you may have realized till now.
What if you could make the reviewing process fast and hassle-free? That’s exactly what a Google Reviews QR code helps you do.
It’s a QR code for your Google business page. Upon scanning it, people will reach the page where they can give you a review.
Share your Google Maps location
If you have a brick-and-mortar store or other physical business location, your success will depend on how easily consumers can find you.
Don’t make your consumers manually search for your location.
The Google Maps QR code solution lets you create a QR code for a Google Maps location URL. Upon scanning the QR code, users will reach the Google Maps application on their smartphones with the location already entered.
They just need to follow the directions and reach your location.
Generate leads and nurture them online
You can’t miss out on connecting with consumers online, even if you only sell offline. With over 5 billion internet users globally, engaging your consumers online is absolutely critical.
But how do you bring offline users to online channels?
QR codes have your back.
You can use QR codes to bring people to online channels and convert them into leads and sales.
For instance, you can create a QR code for your email signup page. People can scan the QR code to visit the email signup page and sign up for your email list. Similarly, you can connect with people on SMS, WhatsApp, and other channels to generate qualified leads.
Promote your website and social media profiles
A website is no longer optional for small businesses — it’s necessary. In fact, over 60% of small businesses have a website, and 22% plan to get one soon.
A similar story exists for social media, with 67% of small businesses using social media for digital marketing purposes.
However, having a website and social media presence is only half the work done. With the digital landscape being so competitive, you must find reliable ways to boost your online presence.
QR codes help you do that.
You can create a QR code for your website or social media profile and share it with your consumers. This way, you can onboard offline consumers to online channels and encourage repeat purchases.
Why does every small business need a QR code?
Now that you know how to use QR codes, let’s see why QR codes are a must-have for every small business.
Here are some top benefits of QR codes.
Reach more consumers
For small businesses, more reach means more consumers. At this stage of business, your priority is likely expanding your business and reaching more customers.
That’s exactly what QR codes help you do.
With QR codes, you can reach a large audience and bring them online. This not only helps you get more customers but also increases the likelihood of repeat sales — another instrumental factor of small business success.
Budget-friendly marketing
Small businesses operate with limited marketing budgets. You might be tempted to get your business on giant billboards, signage, and TV, but the budget stops you.
Guess what? QR codes can help you create a similar impact. When people come across your branded QR code (a QR code with your logo), people remember it.
Furthermore, you can use QR codes for various marketing applications, like bringing people to your website or social media, generating leads, increasing store footfall, and even driving direct sales.
QR codes are a powerful yet budget-friendly marketing tool for small businesses.
Provide an engaging consumer experience
Customer engagement is an often-overlooked aspect of small business marketing. In this cutthroat business landscape, customers will return to you only if they get a remarkable experience.
And when it comes to customer engagement, QR codes win the gold medal. You can use a QR code to share helpful information, detailed business or product information, or even gamification, resulting in higher engagement.
Sell online and offline
Omnichannel is the norm. If you can’t capitalize upon it, your competitors will outshine you sooner or later.
QR codes help you implement an omnichannel strategy by bridging the offline-online gap. You can put QR codes on your marketing materials and even inside your store to send them to your website and let them shop online.
How to create a QR code for your small business?
QRCodeChimp is a QR code generator and management platform that lets you create custom QR codes and manage your QR code campaigns. Follow these steps to create a QR code for your small business.
1. Visit qrcodechimp.com.
2. Head to the Solutions tab, and choose a solution depending on your use case. For instance, choose the Business Page if you want to share your business information.
3. In the “Design & Customize” section, use colors and a background image to design your business page. Also, upload a profile image of your choice (you can use your logo here).
4. Fill in all the fields in the “Basic Information” and “Address & Contact” sections.
5. Update the “Web Links” and “Opening Hours” sections and add a page loader image.
6. Head to the “Design, Color, and Decorate QR Code” tab and customize your QR code.
7. Click on “Save QR Code,” give a name to your campaign, select a folder (optional), and save your QR code.
8. That’s it. You can now print the QR code and share it with your consumers to bring them to your business page.
Note: The process of creating a QR code is different for each solution.
Final thoughts
The holy grail of small business marketing is reaching the maximum number of customers at the minimum-possible expense. It’s equally vital to retain consumers, as it’s cheaper and more profitable.
QR codes are an effective tool for small business marketing because it helps you bring consumers online and provide them with a personalized, memorable experience.
If used well, QR codes can help you grow your small business and set you apart from your competitors.
All set to create your first QR code campaign? Get started with QRCodeChimp.
