QR codes are popping up everywhere- from bananas to power tools and wine, everything seems to have a QR Code. Aside from consumer products that usually point to recipes, product websites and information on how to order more, it can take some creativity to put a QR code to use in a typical small business.
So what is a QR Code? QR Codes or Quick Response codes are scannable barcode like images that direct users to websites, landing pages, or almost anywhere. QR codes provide the marketing industry with yet another way to get in touch with their target audience via mobile devices.
Small businesses, large corporations, and organizations are all implementing QR codes for various reasons- to drive traffic to their existing website, drive traffic to a landing page, provide product demonstrations, dial a phone number, and more.
Now that the world is full of QR codes, small businesses are faced with the challenge- how do you present a QR code in an engaging & useful way that breaks through the clutter? HubSpot’s Jeanne Hopkins reminds us, “A Key point to remember about QR codes is that they’re simply a mechanism to engage prospects and customers.”
The question remains- how does a small business effectively use a QR code? Here are 5 QR code ideas for your small business:
- Business Cards are one of the more traditional yet beneficial ways to utilize a QR code. Adding a QR code to the back of your business card takes your business card from a traditional print marketing piece- to an interactive media channel. You can easily point your QR code to a landing page with your agency contact information, a landing page featuring your latest company promotions, or even your company’s LinkedIn profile. Users can easily save your contact information, promotional information, or LinkedIn Profile directly on their smart phone, eliminating the need to carry around a purse or wallet full of business cards.
- QR codes are now becoming a valuable sales tool. Did you know you can set up QR codes to queue a smart phone to dial a phone number? You can have QR codes queue up a call to your sales department, or any other valuable number. One simple way to implement this idea is to post your QR code at point of purchase check outs, on blog posts, or any other place highly visible to your potentials. Once users scan the code- their phone would be automatically queued to dial your sales department, who now has a highly qualified lead on the phone- one that is already interested in your product, and seeking more information.
- Still running traditional print advertising? Make sure to incorporate a QR code pointing to your company’s online presence to bridge the gap between print and online marketing. Traditional print marketing still appeals to many and adding a QR code introduces these customers to a useful and interactive mobile application. This will show them that mobile marketing can also be a helpful information source.
- QR codes are a fantastic promotional and discount tool. Keeping all state and federal regulations for your industry in mind, QR codes are a great way to reward customers for their loyalty and offer discounts for products and services. Simply add your QR code to any traditional print marketing piece, such as a flier & direct the QR code to a landing page that features a 15% off coupon for users. Scanning the QR code is a reward for customers as well as your company. Customers get discounts and your company receives more visits to your site or landing page.
- Make a fashion statement with a QR code. Is your company sponsoring a charity event, attending a sporting event as a group? There is no shame in self promotion- have various QR codes printed on T-shirts for each of your employees & team members to wear. Have each QR code point to a different online presence- your company Facebook, your company Twitter feed, your company website, queue up the sales department’s phone number, discounts, etc and entice the public with a simple message such as “unlock the mystery- scan me” above each QR code. For extra motivation, start a competition between employees to see who can get scanned the most.
QR codes can now be printed on almost any surface, from newspaper, to the web, to consumer goods. Small Businesses must remember, whatever you do with your QR code, it must be interesting and enticing enough for users to scan.
Keep in mind the QR code possibilities are limitless, you can use business cards that call a phone number, QR codes on T-shirts that give discounts, QR codes on fliers that give hints for scavenger hunts, QR codes on traditional print marketing that directs to your business’ online presence- the possibilities are nearly limitless.
Here at Rainman Web Development and Social Media Marketing, we specialize in helping Independent Insurance Agents, or any small business make use of main stream marketing on small scale budgets, we hope these 5 creative ideas help your small business unlock the mystery of marketing with QR codes.
Remember, if you still need help or want a QR Code for your small business, give us a call at 830.331.9995. We are a Social Media Marketing company and are here to help!
-Amanda Koone, Rainman Web Development, Director of Operations
Tags: Independent Insurance Agents, Insurance Industry Marketing Solutions, Rainman Web Development, Rainman.com, small business, Small Business Marketing Solutions, Social Media Marketing, Website Development
I’ve been amazed at how often you see them, even out here in the sticks.
I got to work with a project last fall coding the interface for this project:
http://immediatag.com/
It’s kind of cool, and has all kinds of applications. But imagine that you had, say, a hospital room, and it had these tags on stuff that needed explanation. People could just scan the code and get instructions on whatever. Or, you could have an art gallery where each piece has a QR code on it, and that points to a page on their mobile site where the audience can get more info. Neat stuff all around.
I make sure to put them on all my promo stuff… but you gotta make sure you test them!