Most often, product packaging is ignored by consumers, because honestly, apart from the price and expiry date, they do not provide much value. In fact, Amazon product details and descriptions contain more information about a product than its original packaging. But, by placing a QR code on product packaging, you can make the packaging an integral part of your product, i.e., an upbeat marketing strategy to boost sales and engage customers.

There are three types of product packaging – primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging

You can place a QR Code in all these packaging types and increase customer interest and loyalty. You may want to know how? Simple it is – instead of making customers hunt information about your product on different eCommerce websites you can add a scannable code on your packaging and let customers scan the code through their smartphone camera to gain access to vast information.

However, what we have noticed that companies are not leveraging the codes’ full potential despite its ease and cost-affordability. The reasons range from unawareness of codes’ functionality to incorrect linking to a non-optimized digital/web link to regarding them as barcodes. 

What are QR Codes, exactly?

Okay, to be honest, QR Codes are barcodes but next-gen version. While barcodes are one-dimensional, which can store only 20 odd alphanumeric characters, and which can be read from left to right alone, the QR Codes are two-dimensional. They can be read from top to bottom and vice versa, making it hold a larger set of information, ranging from web URLs to YouTube videos.

Well, this was just the basic functionality of the QR Code, but it has more potential than we can probably imagine. 

If you choose to go with a marketing or advertising strategy at a commercial scale, you will have to spend a few hundred or even thousand dollars. Sometimes, the cost could be recurring. With a QR Code printed on your product packaging (mind you, no extra tool, or heavy-duty marketing strategy here), you can pitch to more consumers, maybe at a global level, at a cost 10 – 20 times lesser than what you would have actually spent.

In how many ways can product packaging QR Code entice consumers

You will lose count if you start. You can embed a QR Code on the packaging with each unique idea. Even then, your marketing cost will stay low. Just make sure the Qr code generator you choose is reliable, proficient, and creative to generate good quality, scannable Code.

Details about your products

This is basic, and perhaps something you should definitely try. Consumers want more information before they want to buy you. The reason is pricing and fierce competition. Therefore, the more detail you provide, the guaranteed your product will seem to your consumer, and the faster the decision will be. 

Also, QR Codes will help your consumers track the origin of the product, such as the ingredients used and the authenticity of the brand. Today trust is everything, and companies need to win trust in order to gain footage in the market.

Right from description to price comparison to reviews and feedbacks to images, you can send any kind of detailed information to your consumer through QR code product packaging. 

In fact, you can also embed video guides on how to use or install a product to magnify engagement levels.

QR Codes indirectly increase the interaction level between brand and customer and connects your world to theirs. 

Offer attractions and gifts

‘Scan the QR Code and get a discount up to $500 on your next purchase’ – sounds interesting? Well, it will be your consumer too. Customers build loyalty based on the add-on and after-sale services provided by the brand. And, promotional offers, gifts, giveaways, and loyalty memberships are few ways to do so. Instead of emailing them a coupon or a gift card, you can simply ask the consumer to scan the code to open hidden offers. 

Track your sales growth 

If you want to know which product, in which store, in which city, from which dealer is selling more, just add a QR Code. Through consumer QR Code scans, you can identify the statistics and use the analysis report to develop new ways to entice more consumers in slow-selling markets and enhance strategies to engage more consumers in potential stores. 

These statistics will also help you plan short-term and long-term growth strategies more efficiently. 

QR Codes on different types of product packaging

You can change the product branding and advertising plan via QR Codes based on your industry and type of packaging. Here’s what you need to know:

Primary product packaging

Primary packaging is the one in which the product contains – cardboard, paper, plastic, metal, and glass package. Date of expiry, manufacturers’ details, ingredients, warning, and nutritional facts are printed on the labels. You can include a social media QR Code, a QR Code to website link, or a product video code to pique customers’ interest. The primary packaging QR Code should urge customers to add the product to their carts.

 

Secondary product packaging

This is the original brand packaging of the product. For instance, the shampoo or cosmetic bottle or tin falls under this category. Shrink-wraps, tray, and medicine tablets also are considered secondary packaging. The secondary packaging should also include product specifications, guides, expiry dates, user manuals, DVDs, and more. However, to make it easy, you can add a QR Code and embed lengthy information, such as manual installation guide, how-to-use guide book, recipes (if it’s a kitchen appliance), etc. in the form of media video QR Codes, PDF QR Codes, and URL QR Code.  You can also add coupon codes to entice the customer further.

Tertiary product packaging

It is the packing in which the product is delivered to the customer. They could be brow card boxes, crates, pallets, or cartons. The purpose of these packages is to transport goods from manufacturers to customers or retailers. Use the code for revealing or introducing your brand, such as Google Maps, Website URL, landing page, vCard, company guideline, business policy, and so on. 

QR Codes will definitely boost your sales and customer relationship, no matter what you decide to do with it on the packaging. However, remember to add only valuable content, add a call-to-action for reciprocation, and place the code at a vantage point. Also, make sure the QR Code is big enough, and the CTA is readable enough to prompt action. Go with a professional QR Code Chimp to enjoy additional benefits, such as the total number of scans, date and time, operating system, and other tracking insights.