Remember QR codes? Those black and white squares that can be scanned through a mobile device and take users to a webpage. While they were never a revolutionary tactic in digital marketing, they never did any harm either. They were more of a gimmick, if you will, that in some contexts made a lot of sense. But most businesses and brands ignored it.
So why does it look like it’s making a comeback now? And is it worth your time?
The New Rise of QR Codes
You can argue that the QR code never stood a chance until recently. Think about it - in its early days, users had to install an app specifically designed to scan these codes, and only then were they able to visit the webpage that marketers intended.
That’s too much effort to expect from your consumers. So, when looking at the stats, QR codes never generated a lot of traffic, so a lot of marketers just let them go.
In 2020, however, it’s a different story. Smartphones offer native QR scanners, and they don’t do it through an extra app. You can simply open your camera, and the app will take it from there. The fact that internet speeds also greatly improved only added fuel to the QR code fire. So, it makes sense that a lot of brands are looking back at this code and embracing it.
Should You Pay Attention to the QR Code?
The QR code can be quite beneficial in a digital marketing campaign because, at least in some cases, it can help audiences members quickly access your site.
For example, think if you go to a fair with a stand to promote your products. Participants can then quickly scan a QR code on location and visit your site to find out more, after of course directly interacting with you. This can be incredibly valuable, as the process can take place immediately. Without a QR code, the user would have to look you up later, maybe even once they get home, and you can lose a lot of potential clients this way.
Here are other benefits of a QR code:
High-impact campaigns, where instead of promoting complex messages you push a QR code to spike people’s interest;
App downloads, if the QR code directs users directly to the App Store;
View business location, highly useful for restaurants, cafes, or physical stores;
Shopping and e-commerce, where you can easily send out personalized deals and coupons to users.
Final Thoughts: Embrace the QR Code
They may have laughed at it back in 2011, but the QR code is finally getting a place in the spotlight. And, considering how easy it is to generate them, businesses big and small really have nothing to lose by embracing these codes too in their digital marketing campaigns. Are you ready to do it?