According to Business Insider, “QR codes are a physical link that connects the online and offline world – a powerful tool businesses can use to make it simple for consumers to engage with their brand.” Initially, QR codes were optional for customers to use. Ever since the pandemic forced a shift to more virtual and contactless means of business, QR codes have now become almost a necessity for businesses to operate. Earlier, customers would pay by cash, credit, or debit cards. Now, QR codes have made life so much easier with just a simple scan. This simple scan method can help customers complete a purchase within a matter of seconds. Not only does this make life easy for the customer, but it also results in customer loyalty to your business. This blog will talk about how QR codes are useful for a successful and positive customer experience.
Purpose of QR Codes
The purpose of QR codes is in the name itself. To keep it simple, QR codes are meant to help customers retrieve the desired information instantly, no matter how much data the code contains. According to Business Insider, “it is likely that customers have used a QR code to view a menu, link a social profile or add friends to an account, board a flight, download an app, send and receive payments, access Wi-Fi, and authenticate their login details.” Nowadays, QR codes go beyond accessing information. They can also be used for protection purposes such as anti-forgery measures, brand protection, and traceability.
Settings Where QR Codes are Used
In a Restaurant
With the world adjusting back to in-person interactions, restaurants are doing their best to incorporate contactless methods for their customers. According to CNBC, “many believe that this major change is likely to be permanent.” A QR code menu is a great way to persuade customers to indulge themselves more than they usually would. Offers like additional foods or food and drink substitutions with photographs on the menu will entice customers to want more. According to The New York Times, “orders placed through the QR code menu also let managers inform restaurants what items are selling, so they can add a menu section with the most popular items or highlight dishes they want to sell.” Highlighting a “bestsellers” section will help get customers to come back for more and spread the word to other potential customers.
In a Store
According to Medium, “QR codes can be used to make the shopping experience for customers more interesting, easy, and not to forget, contactless.” Placing QR codes inside the store enhances the customer experience. Business Insider uses the example of Target. In Target’s most recent campaign, they had customers scan QR codes that redirected them to a landing page of videos featuring style expert Sabrina Soto. Her videos contained information and tips on using home décor and furnishing products from Target for customers to spice up and refurbish their homes in a stylish, yet elegant manner. Target is also famous for its QR codes inside the store because they give customers a more digitally engaging version of an in-store experience. Scanning the QR code allows customers to easily retrieve information such as pricing, product information, reviews, or other related content online. Rather than making it complicated and doing unnecessary research, the information is right there at the customers’ fingertips.
In an Airport
According to Business Insider, “perhaps the most compelling use case of QR codes in the travel world is the paperless ticket.” With one simple click of downloading their ticket and boarding pass onto their phones, customers can have a seamless and contactless travel experience. This easy and convenient method can eliminate the threat of potentially losing the physical copies of the boarding pass and ticket and most importantly, save time. Business Insider also mentions that “airlines can place QR codes in targeted advertisements within in-flight magazines.” Encouraging customers to scan the code is a win-win situation for both the airline and the customers. The airline will profit through ad revenue and the customer will gain special offers and deals.
In Advertisements
Advertisements are another common place where QR codes are visibly available for customers to use. Marketers use QR codes to build direct connections with customers. Their advertisements give customers direct access to landing pages that contain more information than a simple printed poster board. As such, QR codes allow businesses to boost their marketing campaigns so that they gain more customer insight each time customers scan the code. There is no wrong place for placing a QR code. They can be added to newspapers, brochures, magazines, poster boards…etc. The goal is to grab the customer’s attention the minute they come across the campaign so that the business can gain another potentially loyal customer.
Getting Started with QR Codes for Your Business
QR codes are becoming more prominent now than ever in the business world. If you would like to build one for your own business, here are some popular platforms:
Gauging the Impact of QR Codes on Customer Experience
When things get slow and time-consuming, customers tend to get impatient and agitated. There’s no doubt that we live world filled with marketing and advertising. QR codes are becoming an important element for businesses to function and for customer engagement. PxidaCX is a great tool for businesses to get started and figure out what customers expect from them to create a successful marketing campaign. Sign up for a free trial today!
“QR Code“ is a trademark of DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED.