A QR code (Quick Response code, designed in 1994) has become a focus of advertising strategy since it provides a way to access a brand’s website more quickly than by manually entering a URL. QR code on printings plays an important role for companies. This increases the conversion rate: the chance that a prospect with your ad will become a sale. The QR code immediately brings the viewer to the advertiser’s website. The manually entered URL code on the sales page is longer, which can cause the viewer to lose interest.
Most Chinese people did not have a credit card in the mid-2000s, and small stores did not want to buy expensive point-of-sale technology, as well as paying fees to banks on transactions. But shoppers had mobile phones, which could scan QR codes using Alipay or its rival Tenpay, now including WeChat Pay.
As for the western world, in those early days of QR codes, smartphone users had to download an app to scan QR codes. It required a great deal of effort for the companies to persuade consumers at all to pull an app to get them to read an ad copy. QR codes dropped off in popularity due to overuse, or people developing “QR code fatigue” after finding that many businesses fell short of providing the information needed. Consumers realized that companies used QR codes just to give them a great number of advertisements.
COVID-19 & QR-code
Codes are coming back, uniting the digital and physical worlds in new ways. During the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic QR code use surged as a “touchless” system to display information, show menus, or provide updated consumer information, especially in the hospitality industry. Restaurants replaced paper or laminated plastic menus with QR code decals on the table, which opened an online version of the menu. This prevented the need to dispose of one-time-use paper menus, or institute cleaning and sanitizing procedures for permanent menus after each use.
The use of QR codes as a contactless way of interacting with the population to fight coronavirus is gaining traction across industries. From hospitals and schools to public transport, retailers and even government offices, QR codes and contactless forms are proving their effectiveness while being cost-effective.
Coca-Cola’s mobile force to increase sales & how YOU can do the same
When Fortune 500 brands legends speak, we sh*t up and listen. These direct response marketers are masters of advertising. And many of their strategies and tactics work just as well in your business.
Beverage giant Coca-Cola is placing QR codes on its packaging to further connect with new and existing customers on a much deeper level.
Ahhh… Good old Coca-Cola, right?
&
Good old QR-codes
I bet you have heard of these. If not, educate yourself about it HERE before moving on.
“The results we have seen are extremely impressive,” said Paco Rodriguez, digital manager at Coca-Cola. “Thanks to intelligent QR Codes, we can constantly surprise our consumers with new content, strengthen our position in the mobile space, and understand what interests our consumers.”
Is QR-code still useful in today’s ultra-digital era?
If you thought that these little insidious weapons were left behind in 2014, you are wrong! Codes are coming back (COVID-19, for example), uniting the digital and physical worlds in new ways.
With the increase in smartphone usage and integration of QR Code readers in all the latest smartphones, smart packaging is the future in the packaging industry. The global smart packaging industry is anticipated to grow by $20 billion by 2024. As a bridge between the online and offline world, a QR code can educate your potential buyers about your product, brand, or hidden story. Most Fortune 500 brands such as Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Amazon have already incorporated QR Codes on their packaging, and indeed witnessed a massive surge in sales, ROI, and achieving KPIs.
What if I told you that you could do the same? Keep reading…
3 ways to boost sales and increase customer retention using QR Codes on product packaging
Convert one-time customers into repeat buyers
Use QR codes to re-direct your customers to discount or coupon pages on your website. They are more likely to purchase your product immediately if they receive an incentive for it.
You can use QR codes to promote your other products and generate revenue that you can then put back into your business or use to hire more workers. To increase your conversion rate, add a call to action for your customer to take additional actions.
For example: “Try this product and get $2 off the purchase of Super Product ABC”.
If you look at where QR codes are viewed on the packaging, it is typically on the front of the package. This means your customer will have to take a picture.
DO: Use QR codes for discounts, coupons, and related products.
DO NOT: Use QR codes as a sole means of content accessibility.
Getting users to leave product reviews
With QR codes, customers can share their experiences instantly on Facebook and Twitter right from the package. In addition to providing your customers with a communication channel for your brand, it also helps build loyalty by being one step closer to the customer. It’s the ultimate tool for feedback, and it’s free.
“Thank you for purchasing our product! We would greatly appreciate if you take a moment to review our product, as it will help other customers make an informed decision. Just scan the QR code below with your mobile phone.”
Provides better FAQ
The product itself can now tell you what the product is all about through the QR code! When customers want to gain more knowledge about the product or are looking for more information they can scan it with their smartphone and gain immediate access to a site that provides an overview of product characteristics, ingredient list, potential benefits, preparation tips and more.
Conclusion
The cross-platform functions of QR codes in marketing are what makes them efficient to use for companies looking for smart marketing innovation. You get your message across to your customers effectively by its easy access to the user’s smartphone device. If Coca-Cola has witnessed a massive surge in sales through QR codes, you can do the same.
But you can’t put a QR code on a package you don’t have…
