Turning Scans Into Sales: QR Codes in Digital Advertising

Every marketer is looking for innovative and convenient ways to engage and connect with customers. In this scenario, one powerful way that has gained popularity is the QR code. Quick Response (QR) codes are now widely used in various fields, including digital advertising.

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According to Profiletree, the trend of QR codes has increased by 57% globally. Knowing this great surge of QR codes, many businesses have started using them in their digital advertising and increased the chances of getting more sales.

However, you might be thinking, how can QR codes help turn simple scans into sales? In this article, we are going to explain the role of quick response codes in the field of digital marketing/advertising and why they work so well. Plus, we’ll discuss how you can use these codes to improve the engagement of customers and drive more revenue.

What are QR Codes?

Before we go into the actual details of what benefits or possibilities QR codes provide, let us have a quick recap of what QR codes are.

QR (Quick Response) codes are small square-shaped and machine-readable codes in which you can store different types of information, such as URLs, Contact details, emails, addresses, etc. They are also called two-dimensional barcodes.

For Example:

Why QR Codes Work Better in Digital Advertising?

As stated earlier, QR codes have become a powerful tool in today’s digital marketing campaigns. The reason behind this is their ability to ensure fast and seamless interactions. The unique features of these codes make them valuable for your digital advertising campaigns, enabling you to stand out from other businesses that are relying on traditional advertising methods.

1. Ensure Quick Access to Details

When potential customers see a relevant ad, they often want to look for further details; they might want to.

• Review descriptions.

• Other similar products.

• Know about the advertiser.

• Check the feedback or reviews of other users.

• Discover the shipping and return policies.

And others…
For you and any other advertiser, it is impossible to mention all of these details in the ad. In this scenario, QR codes come in to help; they allow you to store the URLs of relevant webpages, your brand’s information, and other details.

So, instead of typing URLs manually, users can scan a QR code with a QR code scanner and access the embedded information, removing the extra steps.

For example:
Nike, a popular brand, uses QR codes in their social media posts and campaigns, allowing its customers to immediately reach its special product launches, new collections, or styling suggestions

2. Trackable and Measurable

Another benefit of QR codes that makes them worthy in digital advertising or marketing is their traceability. Unlike traditional advertising, where you need to do tricky tasks to measure success, Quick Response Codes can provide you with detailed and instant insights.

By integrating QR codes on your ads, you can seamlessly track:

• How many people scanned the code?

• From where (area) do they scan it?

• At what time did your customer scan the code?

• What action did they take afterwards?

As a marketer or businessman, this data about scan rates, location, device types, and times will help you improve your marketing campaigns.

3. Cost-Effective and Easy to Use

Although Quick Response codes are interactive, they are cost-effective as well. You can create them easily and incorporate them into your advertising materials. There are several online QR code generators available on the internet that you can use to generate even custom QR codes without paying anything.

Similarly, scanning these codes is easier as many QR code scanners have been built, which are also free to access. So nothing costs to generate, incorporate, and scan these codes.

In addition to cost-effectiveness, they are easier to create, requiring no special equipment or skills. In the upcoming sections, we will discuss the complete process to generate QR codes.

4. Digital Signage Integration

QR codes can be integrated with digital signage platforms, which makes the advertising and shopping process more interactive and engaging. So, today you as a marketer can go beyond the static posters and billboards for marketing; you can display dynamic digital signage in stores, malls, etc.

This integration of QR codes and digital signage will allow customers to quickly access your product pages, offers, etc.

For instance:
A clothing shop or mall can display its latest collections of clothes on digital screens with a QR code. The QR code will let customers explore different categories, find different colors, or check the availability of stock. This way of digital advertising via digital signage will create a bridge between offline and online advertising.

How QR Codes can Increase Sales?

After knowing the effectiveness of QR codes in digital advertising, let us dive into how exactly they can assist you in turning scans into actual sales.

1. Convenient and Faster Purchase Process

We all know that one of the biggest restrictions to sales is the number of steps between interest and purchase. Customers sometimes delay or quit their decision to purchase due to the longer buying process.

However, QR codes eliminate the hurdles of the purchase process, making it simpler and faster. A Quick Response code allows your customers to simply scan it and buy your product.

2. Instant Discounts and Offers

Another way to increase your product sales with QR codes is to link them with coupon codes, special discounts, or offers. Your potential customers will scan the code and directly land on your website’s or store’s page where you displayed exclusive deals or discounts. Doing so will motivate your customers to make immediate purchases, before they expire.

For Example:
A Shoe brand that starts ads on social media with special offers encoded in a QR Code. Scanning the code unlocks the offer “Buy One Get One Free”, “Free Shipping for orders over $100”, etc., and specifies the time validity, like for the next 72 hours. This act will motivate potential buyers to visit the product page or online store and make instant purchases.

3. Provide Interactive Experience

One of the most effective ways that make your customers ready to buy is by providing an engaging and interactive shopping experience. In this scenario, QR codes allow you to add interactive elements in digital ads. Doing so will allow your potential buyers to scan the codes and connect with the product on a deeper level.

For Example:
To provide customers with an interactive experience, you can allow them to scan QR codes and access.

• 360° views of your product to get every necessary detail before making their buying decision.

• Short videos that showcase your products working in real life.

• Clips showing the feedback of customers.

These things will build trust in the potential buyers and encourage them to make purchases.

How to Use QR Codes in Your Digital Advertising?

For incorporating Quick Response (QR) codes in your digital advertising, you need to follow the steps below;

1. Generate Your QR Code

Once you’ve decided to use QR codes in your advertising, the first step is to generate one. With the Pickcel QR Code Generator, you can instantly create customized codes containing URLs, product pages, offers, or any brand information.

The best part? The generated QR code can be directly deployed on digital signage screens whether it’s a retail display, video wall, or interactive kiosk. This means you don’t need extra tools or manual uploads; your QR codes can go live in real time.

Beyond digital signage, the same QR codes can be used anywhere else flyers, posters, packaging, websites, email campaigns, or social media making your marketing omnichannel and consistent.

2. Scan It to Test

Once you have created the QR code, you should test it to ensure that they are working well and your details are stored accurately. To test the generated code, you can try this QR scanner that is available on a popular platform: Imagetotext.info. To check its accuracy, we scanned different types of QR codes and found it to be a reliable tool.

To use it, you just need to upload the image of the generated QR code, and the QR code scanner will instantly show the stored information.

Here’s the practical demo:

3. Place it Strategically

Once you have tested the accuracy of the code and found it working well, the next step is to use it strategically. A strategic use of QR codes can increase their visibility and get more scans. Below, we have listed some ways to effectively place your QR codes for better results;

• You can add QR codes to banner ads, social media ads (to gain high traffic), and email campaigns.

• If you are running YouTube ads, you can add QR codes in video ads and livestreams.

And more…

Conclusion

QR Codes have become a simple yet effective tool to transform customer interest into sales. People now easily access product details, special offers, and purchase products quickly. All extra steps have been eliminated! These codes give marketers an innovative and smart way to increase user engagement, track users, and measure ad success. Now, it is your turn to create custom QR codes, use them strategically in your digital advertising, and get more sales.

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