Data analytics technology has helped countless companies improve their marketing strategies. Global companies are spending over $3 billion a year on marketing analytics technology and this figure is growing over 12% a year.
There are a lot of different ways that companies can use data analytics to improve their marketing strategies. One of the most effective approaches involves taking advantage of QR codes.
Using QR Codes and Data Analytics Helps Companies Bolster their Marketing Strategies
QR codes and marketing analytics tools are twin pillars in modern retail marketing strategies. More companies are leveraging them together to enhance their marketing efforts.
QR codes can be especially effective for small businesses trying to gain a competitive edge in a global marketplace. According to the latest figures from the SBA, about 32.5 million small business owners in the U.S. employ 46.8% of the private workforce. Effective marketing remains the key to America’s small business success, which can’t be done without relying heavily on data analytics. As a result, small businesses increase their annual marketing spending, especially on social media, as they understand how effectively it reaches targeted audiences. They are using their marketing budgets to gain access to data analytics tools to help them make these insights.
However, small business owners know that social media alone is not always enough to market their small businesses effectively. That is why they increasingly use a mix of marketing that includes traditional methods and the help of data analytics and QR codes.
Directing Customers with QR Codes and Using Analytics to Get a Better Understanding of their Behavior
QR or quick response codes use a barcode system that a smartphone can scan and read to relay messages to people, direct them to a website, or send a pre-prepared message. The advantage of using QR codes for your business is that they are easy to create. You can embed any information in them, place the codes almost anywhere, and they are simple for your customers to use. You can collect the data from them and use analytics tools to make sense of it.
Effective QR Code Marketing
The uses of QR codes are numerous, meaning that you can adapt them to various marketing efforts. Whether you want to direct a customer to your website, provide them with a promotion code, or give them a filled-in subscription form, QR codes make it straightforward for your customers to use them.
These are the different ways you can use QR codes to help boost your business marketing efforts:
Connect Users to Your Website
A URL or Uniform Resource Locator QR code is the most popular. Create it to connect users to its embedded website address so that when your user scans this code, it seamlessly takes them to the website or web page you want. Of course, where you take them depends on you; it could be your eCommerce store, your Facebook page, or even your LinkedIn page.
For example, if you own a restaurant, you may want to take them to the menu page of your website, where you upload your daily dishes, saving you the time and money needed to print new menus regularly.
Present A Virtual Business Card
Turn your business card into something unique to present to customers. For example, a vCard QR Code allows you to give them a digital business card they can print or save on any smart device. When scanning the QR code, the information displayed can include your name, phone number, email address, a professional photo, and social media links.
Make it Easy for Customers to Connect by Phone
Use a phone number QR Code to share your contact number, allowing new customers to connect with you instantly. Customers can call the connected number when they scan the QR code without needing to open the call function or dial the number.
Let Customers Send an Email Effortlessly
The concept behind the email QR Code is the same as the one with the phone number. However, the user sends an email with a pre-planned message when scanning it without having to type in your email address or the message. That way, you can prompt users to become subscribers to a newsletter or can effectively solve any customer support problems they have.
Boost Sales with Plain Text QR Code
Plain text QR codes are pretty versatile because they allow you to use them to pass on operational information about stocks to staff for better inventory management. However, as a marketing tool, plain text QR codes enable you to let customers know about any promotions to help you boost sales.
Prepared SMS Messages
An SMS QR code allows you to create a code containing a pre-written text with your phone number. Then, when a customer scans the QR code, they need to press send, making it easier for you to collect customer data for marketing purposes. SMS QR code is also a valuable customer support tool.
Connect To Your Wi-Fi Network
If you own a business that offers its customers free WiFi, a WiFi QR code makes it effortless for your customers to join. They don’t need a password but automatically scan the QR code to your WiFi.
Brand Awareness and Social Media
Social Media QR Codes make it easier for your customers to find you on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, etc. Your digital presence is essential for customers, so use QR codes to make it easier for them to find you there.
Analytics and QR Codes Help with Your Marketing Strategy
There are a lot of great benefits of using data analytics and QR codes to boost your marketing strategy. The guidelines listed above will help you get started.
TRUiC’s free QR code generator allows you to easily create several types of personalized QR codes in just a few simple steps. These versatile codes developed more than two decades ago based on a Chinese board game are both easy to download and allow you to customize your design. Therefore, don’t hesitate to add your logo and branding colors to all the QR codes you generate, helping to increase user engagement and brand loyalty as you market your small businesses.
