Smartphone usage continues to increase daily, while the use of QR codes began to see a renaissance during the COVID-19 pandemic for track and trace purposes.
Companies are learning from this and harnessing the power of QR codes to talk to their existing customer base and keep them returning for more. What’s more, eCommerce entrepreneurs can use providers such as Artoh to track the effectiveness of their QR code campaigns by simply linking them to their eCommerce accounts.
Here are seven ways QR codes have been proven to bring customers back.
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Codes on packaging
Businesses are limited in how much information they can include in their product packaging. Cereal manufacturers, for example, have much more space to get their message across than chocolate bar manufacturers.
Many businesses are now including QR codes in their product packaging. These allow customers to scan and learn more about what the product contains information about the manufacturer, and their ethos and mission statement.
In addition, businesses have tapped into the knowledge that they can use a QR code to take the customer straight to the checkout page on their online store. This is one of the most successful methods of completing a sale. In addition, intelligent merchants include special offers and discount codes through QR codes to reward customers for their loyalty.
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Events and storefront displays
Customers can learn more about products and buy them faster through QR codes. Indeed, some store-owners use them to continue selling while their brick-and-mortar shops are closed.
When displaying QR codes in window displays, interested customers can scan a code in the window and be directed to their Shopify store instead.
In addition, QR codes mean merchants that run pop-up stores at fayres and other events no longer need to carry high amounts of stock. Instead, they can set up eye-catching displays and use QR codes for customers to scan and order online.
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Ads online and offline
Advertising remains as powerful as ever, and QR codes have increased that power. There’s a degree of mystery about what information is hidden behind a code. Adding them to a poster, social media post, or package insert will have the curious-minded reach for their phones and scan.
Customers are directed to the store page much more quickly as they don’t have to enter a web page URL or hunt around for the product in the online store. Instead, the QR code directs them straight to the product page.
In some cases, eCommerce users have used QR codes to fix abandoned carts in their online shops and entice customers back.
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Layaways
Merchants increasingly use QR codes cleverly by allowing customers to reserve now and pay later.
This is helpful for customers who might see an offer while commuting to work and quickly scan the code on the marketing literature before they forget. They can carry on their journey safely, knowing that the offer is there waiting for them to complete when they have time.
In addition, customers can scan and pre-order items before they are released. This is an excellent way of increasing sales and returning customers when new product lines are released.
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Mobile rebates
Offering customers the opportunity to claim rebates when using a QR code makes the whole loyalty scheme process simple.
Rather than having to mail or redeem special offers online, customers can scan a code on a receipt, e-receipt, or in-store signage. This allows them to take advantage of mobile-only rebates that keep them returning for more.
By scanning the QR code, they receive a special rebate offer that they can take advantage of there and then while in-store or as an incentive to come back next time they’re passing. This eliminates the waiting time for customers to take advantage of a rebate.
It keeps customers engaged with your business. This method is better than customers waiting for a voucher to appear in the mail or be downloaded from an email and printed for redemption.
- Billboard and video advertising
We live in the TikTok era, where video and viral marketing are increasingly used for advertising and selling. Merchants can place a QR code at the end of a video commercial as a call to action to take the consumer to a product or sales page.
In addition, QR codes on posters or billboards can be scanned to take customers to a page containing a short video on YouTube, Vimeo, or TikTok by introduction. It’s also an excellent way of re-engaging with previous customers and getting them to return.
Companies can assess the code’s success if the QR code appears on a cinema or television video advert. Each time the code is scanned, businesses receive data on when the scan occurred, whether it led to a click-through to other parts of the website or a sale. It also gives information regarding the customer, for example, whether they’re first-time viewers or returning consumers.
This data provides crucial intelligence about the effectiveness of each QR code and what customers do and don’t engage with well.
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Mobile Coupons
This is the simplest and most effective way of engaging with customers, as they can scan a code and instantly redeem a discount voucher that saves them money at the checkout.
In the past, customers have had to redeem coupons using a physical voucher or lengthy voucher number to receive their discount. A QR code takes up little space on a poster or marketing material and provides a seamless customer experience.
There’s no risk of losing the coupon; it can be screenshotted or bookmarked in your mobile browser to make accessing the offer simple.
The great advantage for eCommerce users is that QR codes allow them to set up special discount coupons for repeat customers. This encourages them to return again and rewards their loyalty. It’s possible to ensure that specific individuals can only redeem them.
Finally, codes can be set to direct customers to “buy now” pages which encourage them to purchase there and then at the discounted coupon price. The ease with which a returning customer can conduct the transaction will keep them returning alongside being rewarded for their loyalty to the merchant.
