QR codes are used in a range of different marketing materials these days and they are becoming a lot more popular in the hospitality industry. A lot of our clients at WOWAPPS have been incorporating QR codes into their day-to-day operations to market their website, app and menu.
Our clients can incorporate QR codes into business cards, posters, flyers and takeaway bags, as we know just how powerful they can be, when used correctly.
Despite this though, a lot of clients still are not entirely sure as to what a QR code actually is. We find ourselves regularly being asked what a QR code looks like, what they do and how they work.
Here is a guide outlining what a QR Code is, how to make one and some of the most popular ways that they are being used:
What is a QR Code?
QR (Quick Response) codes are small, pixelated black and white squares, similar to barcodes. The QR code can be scanned using a camera built into a mobile phone to reveal a message, view information, or direct people to a website.
QR codes can be used to hold any kind of written data and transfer it instantly. It could be a message, a link to a video, a coupon or special offer, co-ordinates of a particular location - the list grows bigger all the time!
How to Create QR Codes:
There are lots of different ways to create QR codes. We have chosen the QR Code Generator from the QR Code Monkey, because it's nice, easy and 100% free to use. You can create a QR code with custom design and colour, add a logo, or use different shapes to draw the QR code.
This API (Application Programming Interface) is popular because of the customisation options they offer compared to other APIs; they also allow the option to export the designed QR codes into all important formats like PNG, SVG, EPS and PDF.
5 Reasons to use QR Codes for better marketing strategy to reach and convert your audience
1. Direct customers to a landing page
Scanning a QR code can lead to any landing page on the internet such as your website’s menu page whist removing the hassle for your audience of going through the process of navigating through the pages to get to their desired destination.
2. Download Apps
Once you have scanned the QR code, it can direct you to the download page of an app and start the download. Restaurants have been using QR codes on their takeaway bags and boxes to get more downloads for their apps which has led to greater loyalty from their customers.
3. View business location
If your website visitor wants to find out where your venue is, they can just pull out their phone and scan the QR code displayed on your website. Instead of manually searching for the address on online maps, the QR code can give specific directions to your business location or link.
4. Direct customers to social media pages
One of the best ways to get users to view and follow your social media pages is by having QR codes displaying links directly to your social media accounts. Sometimes they can even score a discount or promo if they followed your social media through that same QR code.
5. Shopping and E-commerce
Probably the most popular way to use QR codes, businesses usually use it for discounts and promos. By providing a unique QR code, the consumer can also receive the receipt or menu through their phone.
Do QR Codes expire?
Static QR Codes do not expire, but dynamic QR Codes do. If the information linked to the QR Code is outdated, the website or landing page will not show the content, making the QR Code useless.
However, you can get Dynamic QR Codes that do expire once the free trial period is over. If dynamic QR Codes are purchased, they do not expire.
With all this in mind, you can properly set up QR codes for your marketing strategy as long as you provide a clear call-to-action (CTA). The user should not have to guess what to do with your QR code. According to research by Juniper Research, the number of QR Code coupons scanned will reach 5.3 billion by 2022. The technology is anticipated to grow in multiple folds over the next couple of years. One of the key areas the QR Code technology will focus on is in-app usage and scanning ability. With table ordering becoming more popular through QR Codes, the hospitality industry is changing drastically and WOWAPPS are adapting to these changes and sharing their tech with all their clients.
