What Are QR Codes and How Do You Use Them?
In this day and age, QR codes are becoming increasingly common. These are something that have been used in print marketing for years, and they’re quickly becoming the new normal when it comes to integrating print and digital marketing.
While these codes have long been taken for granted, now is the time to make the most of them if you want to stand out with your design. When it comes to business cards or other print designs, every inch of real estate matters. While choosing the right size can be difficult, you also want to make sure every aspect of your design works well for your business.
In this guide, we’ll explain what QR codes are and how you can best use them in your print marketing. In 2019 alone, over 121 million people were utilizing these barcodes, and this number is rapidly growing. From creating functional designs to making your business run more smoothly, here’s what you need to know.
What Is a QR Code?
First and foremost, what even is a QR code? The best way to think of this is as a barcode. It functions in the same way as a barcode that you scan at the grocery store, but it’s a lot more user-friendly for the average person.
You can create a unique code that attaches to a specific URL, like your website address. Once scanned on a smart device, your URL will automatically pop up. This makes it easy to share your website, specific landing pages, signup forms, and so on with your users.
Where Are the Best Places to Put QR Codes?
There are no limits to where you can use these barcodes. In general, they’re used to make business operations run smoother. They’re also an effective networking tool. Here are some of the best places for QR codes specifically in your print marketing:
Business cards: If you’re designing business cards, using a QR code is a great idea. These can easily be placed on the back, in the corner, or even front-and-center to direct people to a specific link. Since there is limited space on your business card, this is the best way to convey more information.
Flyers: Another way to use QR codes is on your print flyers. If you’re displaying flyers at an event or on the wall, you’re limited in the information you can share on a single page. Using a barcode to link to a web page gives you more space to share details.
Postcards: Postcards are a powerful marketing tool. If you’re sending postcards to customers, a QR code can link to a specific product, schedule page, or even a discount.
Banners: Finally, if you’re participating in a networking event where you’re hanging banners for your business, a code is a great way to connect with key contacts.
QR Code Best Practices
How do you use QR codes to stand out with your print marketing? First, it’s the best way to blend your in-person marketing with digital efforts. For example, if you’re holding an in-person event, including QR codes on your flyers is the best way to get visitors to take action at your event. You might ask them to sign up for a new event online, review a menu online, or even just learn more about a new initiative.
Another way to use QR codes is to spread important health and safety information. This has been seen a lot in 2020 and 2021 with the COVID19 pandemic. More businesses are relying on QR codes to share information that might not be sanitary to share via paper in-person.
Finally, these codes are a powerful way to encourage action. You can invite a user to do any of the following with a single scan:
Make a purchase
Book a meeting
Sign up for an event
Leave a review
Access a discount
Learn more about your brand
Follow your brand on social media
Though it might sound simple, this techology is changing the way print campaigns interact with digital media. Now is the best time to get creative with your own QR efforts, depending on your marketing goals.
How Do You Leverage Technology?
The lines between digital and physical are getting blurrier by the day. Technology and print marketing now go hand-in-hand, and QR codes are one of the tools shaping the new world of marketing.
How do you use technology to share information with your customers? You can’t afford to live in the past when it comes to driving action with your users both in-person and online.