6 Tips on Optimizing QR Codes to Drive Brand Awareness

QR codes are a point of attraction for all types of enterprises, from modest retail outlets to niche popular luxury companies. According to a study in 2014, around 25% to 30% of the population in developed countries used QR codes. That was back in 2014. You can be sure that the usage of the codes has increased a great deal since then.

Another crucial statistic to consider came from a survey by Statista, which showed that over 11 million households scanned QR codes just for 2020. That is a significant increase from the 9.7 households that scanned QR codes in 2018.

So what do these numbers signify? They point out that the use of QR codes is becoming more common, and it also means that it’s time for you to explore what you can do with these codes.

QR Codes in Action

Companies are exploring ways that they can expand on the use of QR codes. Alipay, the world’s most used payment app, uses QR code payments, although only in China. In India, there are over 9 million merchants that use QR codes for payments to Paytm.

Some credit card processors like Paypal and Venmo offer you the option to accept payments via QR codes, which can be also a great asset to any business.

Bridging Offline and Online

But the most effective use of QR codes is in branding and marketing.

QR codes can be an effective tool for marketers and those driving brand awareness. Especially now that its use is becoming more prevalent. Like any other tool for marketing and brand awareness, QR codes are not for everyone. Not all businesses can benefit from its use.

But for the businesses that can use it, there are creative ways of driving brand awareness through these codes.

One of the unique characteristics of QR codes is that they can serve as a bridge between offline and online marketing. QR codes can be printed on offline marketing materials to be displayed and distributed. The codes can then be linked to your site or your social media accounts.

It’s a kind of hyperlink that connects your site to the real world. There is no lack of ideas on how you can use that for your marketing.

How to Optimize QR Codes for Brand Awareness

So, how can you optimize QR Codes to drive brand awareness?

Direct to a Landing Page

One of the best ways to optimize QR codes for raising brand awareness is by linking them to a landing page. A landing page tells people right away what you want them to know about your product or brand. Redirecting them to the home page of your site would mean that they have to navigate to find what they’re looking for.

By directing them to a landing page, you give them the message that you want to deliver immediately without any confusion.

Direct to Social Media Accounts

Social media is perfect for building up a brand. You can use the posts there to give a certain personality to your business. Now, you can use QR codes to direct people to your social media accounts.

You can direct people to a specific post that gives the main message about your brand. That post should also help them to like or subscribe to your social media account.

Direct to a Video

Did you know that people watch an astonishing 16 hours of videos each week? That is an increase of more than 50% in the last two years. Doubtless, the pandemic has a hand in influencing more people to watch more videos, but this is still significant.

What you can do is have your QR codes directed toward an online video. The video should introduce your brand to people and deliver your core message. You can come up with other videos that can be targeted by other QR codes later on.

Download Apps

Does your brand or business have its own app? An app is a great way to introduce people to your business and what you’re trying to sell. Your app can be a game or provide some information about the products and services you are offering.

You can place the QR codes on posters and collaterals, so they can download those directly when people scan them.

Discounts and Promotions

One of the most effective ways to use QR codes is by using them for promos and discounts. People will always be interested in discounts and promos, and it’s just a matter of getting the information out there.

A QR code is a unique way for them to take advantage of the promotion you are offering. For example, if you are offering discounts for your products, you can distribute posters and cards with QR codes that would redirect them to the page where they can take advantage of them. They can be a form of coupon that will give users exclusive access to the promotion.

The QR code to a poster, for example, should direct to a page where users can purchase and get that offer. The poster should state it clearly that they can only get that promotional offer through the QR code. That should give you a clear call to action that you can use on your poster.

Exclusive Content

You have to give people the impression that they are getting something exclusive. You can use the QR code to direct users to a page where they can get exclusive content. It can be a page that can only be accessed through a QR code.

On that page, you can place interesting content that is related to your brand. The content can be video or text.

You can even take it further by offering to join an exclusive club. Through the club, they can get exclusive deals that they cannot get anywhere else—all of that through a simple QR code.

These are just some of the methods you can use to optimize your QR codes to drive more awareness about your brand. It can be a powerful tool if you know how to use it properly.