QR codes can be a fantastic marketing tool for small businesses. When used correctly, they can help you reach a wider audience and promote your products or services.

In this blog, we’ll go over a few of the ways you can use QR codes in your small business, plus a step-by-step on how to use them.

But first, what exactly is a QR code?

QR stands for “Quick Response”. These codes are similar to barcodes, but can be read by smartphones and other devices with a camera. When scanned, a QR code can take the user to a specific website, or display text or a small image.

If you’ve been to a restaurant in the past couple of years, you’ve probably seen QR codes on tables or menus. These are often used to take customers to the restaurant’s website, where they can view the menu or make a reservation.

But, QR codes are useful for more than just viewing a menu. Here are just a few of the many ways small businesses can use and benefit from using QR codes.

10 ways small businesses can use QR codes

#1. Drive leads and customers to your website

If you’re looking to drive traffic to your website, QR codes are a great way to do it. You can place them on print ads, business cards, flyers or any other marketing collateral. When customers scan the code with their phone, they’ll be taken directly to your website.

You can also use QR codes as a call to action on social media. For example, you can include a QR code in your Instagram profile that takes users to your website or blog.

QR codes are an easy way to encourage customers to visit your website and learn more about your small business.

#2. Offer discounts and coupons

Another wonderful way to use QR codes is to offer discounts and coupons. This is a great way to drive traffic to your store or website, and entice customers to make a purchase.

To do this, you can create a QR code that takes users to a landing page where they can enter their email address to receive a discount code. Or, you can place QR codes on your products or packaging that customers can scan to receive a discount.

This is a tremendous way to increase sales and drive customer loyalty.

#3. Create a digital business card

A digital business card is a great way to make a lasting impression on potential customers and clients and provide them with everything they need to contact you. You can create a QR code that, when scanned, will add your contact information directly to the person’s phone.

This is a phenomenal way to stand out from the competition and make it easy for customers to get in touch with you without having to look up your phone number on your website.

#4. Share your location

QR codes can also be used to share your business’s location. This is especially useful if you’re a small business that doesn’t have a brick-and-mortar location.

For example, if you’re a mobile business, like a food truck or pet groomer, you can include your current location in a QR code on your website or social media profile. When customers scan the code, they’ll be able to see where you are and how to find you.

This is a great way to make sure customers can always find you, even if your location changes frequently.

#5. Promote an event or special occasion

QR codes are also a superb way to promote an event or special occasion. You can include all the relevant information, like the date, time and location of the event, in a QR code.

This is a great way to make sure potential attendees have all the information they need in one place. And, it’s a fantastic way to drive traffic to your event page on your website or social media profile.

QR codes are a great way to promote your small business’s events and specials.

#6. Provide more information about your product or service

If you want to provide customers with more information about your product or service, QR codes are a great way to do it. You can include additional information, like specs, features or even user reviews, in a QR code.

This is a wonderful way to give customers all the information they need to make a purchase decision. And, it’s a great way to differentiate your small business from the competition.

#7. Give a virtual tour of your business

QR codes can also be used to give potential customers a virtual tour of your small business. This is a stupendous way to give them a feel for your business and what it has to offer.

To do this, you can create a QR code that links to a video tour of your business. This is a great way to show off your business and make it more accessible to potential customers.

#8. Share your small business story

Your small business has a story, and QR codes are a fantastic way to share it. You can include a QR code on your website or social media profile that links to a page where you tell your small business story.

This is a great way to connect with potential customers and make them more likely to do business with you.

#9. Offer customer support

If you want to offer customers a way to get in touch with you for customer support, QR codes are a brilliant way to do it. You can include a QR code on your website or product packaging that links to your customer support page.

This is a great way to make sure customers can always find the information they need. And, it’s a great way to make sure they can reach you if they have any questions or problems.

#10. Make it easy to download your app

If you have a small business app, QR codes are a phenomenal way to make it easy for potential customers to download it. You can include a QR code on your website or social media profile that links directly to the app store.

This is a great way to increase downloads of your app and make it more accessible to potential customers.

These are just a few of the ways you can use QR codes to promote your small business. Get creative and see what other ways you can come up with to use QR codes to drive traffic to your small business.

Now that you know about a few ways you can use QR codes to grow your business, here’s how to get it right.

A small business’s guide to using QR codes

 

Step #1. Determine where you want the QR code to send people

The first step is to decide where you want people to be taken when they scan your QR code. This could be your website, a specific landing page, a sign-up form or even your social media profiles.

Think about what action you want people to take when they reach this destination. Do you want them to make a purchase, sign up for your newsletter or learn more about your company?

The destination you choose will determine the content of your QR code. For example, if you want people to be taken to your website’s home page, you’ll just need to create a QR code that links to that URL. But, if you want people to fill out a form or sign up for a newsletter, you’ll need to create a QR code that links to that specific page.

Step #2. Create a trackable URL

Once you’ve determined where you want people to be taken when they scan your QR code, the next step is to create a trackable URL. This is the URL that you’ll include in your QR code.

One of the easiest ways to do that is by adding a REF code to the URL. A REF code is a code that’s added to the end of a URL that allows you to track where traffic is coming from. This is important because it will allow you to see how effective your QR code campaign is.

To create a trackable URL, start by finding your website’s URL. Then, add a “?” at the end of it. After that, add a unique REF code that will tell you how much traffic has come from the QR code.

Here’s an example: www.example.com/?ref=qrcode

Step #3. Generate your QR code

Now that you have your trackable URL, it’s time to generate your QR code. There are a number of free QR code generators available online.

All you need to do is enter your trackable URL into the generator, and it will create a QR code for you. Once you have your QR code, you can download it and start using it right away.

Pro tip – Test your QR code

Always make it a point to test out your QR code before you start using it. This will ensure that it’s working properly and that people are taken to the right destination when they scan it.

The last thing you want is to launch your QR code campaign and then find out that the QR code isn’t working.

To test your QR code, simply scan it with your phone and see where it takes you. If it takes you to the right destination, then you’re good to go. If it doesn’t work or takes you somewhere else, then you’ll need to generate a new QR code.

Step #4. Promote your QR code

Now that you have your QR code, it’s time to start promoting it. There are a number of ways you can do this.

One way is to include it on your website. You can add it to the header or footer of your site, or even create a special page that’s dedicated to your QR code campaign.

Another wonderful way to promote your QR code is to include it in your email signature. This is a great way to make sure that people who receive your emails can easily scan your QR code and be taken to your desired destination.

You can also promote your QR code offline by adding it to print materials like business cards, flyers or posters.

Finally, make sure to promote your QR code on your social media profiles. You can do this by adding it to your profile picture or cover photo, or even creating a post that’s dedicated to your QR code campaign.

By promoting your QR code in a variety of ways, you’ll be able to reach a wider audience and get more people to scan your code.

Step #5. Monitor your performance

Once you’ve launched your QR code campaign, it’s important to monitor your performance and track your results. This will allow you to see how effective your campaign is and make necessary adjustments.

This is where that trackable URL will come in handy. Simply create a new campaign in Google Analytics and use your trackable URL as the campaign URL. This will allow you to track how much traffic is coming from your QR code and see other important metrics, like conversion rate.

Monitoring your performance on a regular basis will help you to fine-tune your QR code campaign and get the most out of it.

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QR codes are a great way for small businesses to reach new customers and promote their products or services. By following these tips, you can create an effective QR code campaign that will help you to achieve your marketing goals.