6 Ways to Use QR Codes as a Marketing Strategy for Your Business

Your marketing efforts fall into two categories: online and offline. You have the email, SMS, and pay-per-click online campaigns, then the flyers, posters, and billboard offline campaigns. But what if there was a way to bridge that gap?

QR codes instantly connect offline and online marketing. You get all the advantages of in-person connections with added interactivity, convenience, and measurable engagement.

If you’ve never tried QR codes in your automotive marketing before, now’s the time to start. Try these six ways of using QR codes and watch your marketing results reach new heights.

How QR Codes Can Elevate Your Marketing Strategy

QR codes may not be the hot new thing anymore, but they’re still as relevant and effective as ever. With a QR code, you can instantly direct customers to an online page without asking them to type long, clunky URLs.

They make it easy to connect with customers in person while still using and getting the benefit of digital marketing for local businesses.

You’re not limited to one way of using QR codes, either. Try these six actionable ways to leverage QR codes as part of your marketing strategy.

1. Drive Lead Generation

A QR code can link to any web page you want. Customers just scan the code and easily open the link to the page you want them to see.

That kind of ease makes QR codes the perfect lead generation tool. When you’re doing any in-person marketing, like at events, trade shows, and workshops, have at least one QR code ready to go. Link the code to your list of services, online appointment scheduler, or newsletter sign-up page to help your lead generation.

After your events are over, you can use online tools to analyze key data about the QR code scans, like:

• Scan frequency
• Device types
• Geographical location
• Time of day
• What users do after landing on your site

This data will help you measure conversion rates and understand how effective your combined in-person and online marketing is.

2. Collect Customer Reviews and Feedback

Companies are always aiming to get more Yelp reviews and Google reviews. But following up to request reviews is harder with in-person customers — once they leave your shop, you might not have an easy way to get ahold of them and make it easy for them to leave you a review. QR codes are the solution.

Put up a QR code in your auto shop’s waiting area that customers can scan to go directly to your Google Business Profile or other profile page. That way, they only need to click one or two buttons to leave a review conveniently from their mobile devices. The easier you make it to leave your business reviews, the more reviews you will get.

Gently prompt users to leave you a review at checkout and direct them to the QR code. Even a few more positive reviews will go a long way toward helping you manage your Yelp reputation. More reviews improve SEO for small businesses, including Yelp SEO.

Professional reputation management from Optimize Digital Marketing can boost your online business reputation even further.

Similarly, you can use QR codes that direct users to surveys if you want to collect private feedback beyond online reputation management. Just make sure to clearly label the QR code so customers know where they’ll end up when they scan it.

3. Promote Offers and Discounts

What about when you want to engage in-person customers with digital coupons or rewards? QR codes make that easier than ever.

Instead of directing customers to find your website online by searching or typing in your URL, then completing extra steps to get the offer or discount, a QR code can get them to the exact right page instantly.

Create QR codes that deliver coupons on oil changes, advertise promotions on dent repair, or get customers connected to your loyalty program.

By emphasizing urgency and convenience, these QR codes will boost customer engagement on your promotions.

4. Enable Contactless Interactions

One of the QR code marketing ideas that people often overlook is using the codes to enable contactless interactions. Post-pandemic, more and more people are looking for touch-free experiences. QR code marketing delivers exactly that.

With QR codes, customers can instantly gain access to your list of services, check-in form, and additional information on their own devices. There’s no need to touch any papers.

Contactless interactions aren’t everyone’s preference, so you should always keep alternatives around even when you use QR codes. But for customers who are safety-conscious or convenience-focused, mobile marketing QR codes make all the difference to their engagement.

5. Enhance In-Store or Service Experiences

There are times when a digital component enhances in-person demonstrations or interactions. That’s when you need a QR code.

Consider setting up a QR code that takes users to your online scheduling form for service appointments, for example. Then, customers can just scan the code, visit the form, and easily set their own appointments without needing to talk to a customer service representative.

Or, use QR codes that link to product demos and self-service tutorials to engage customers and help them get all the information they need.

Where you put your QR codes is very important. Place the codes in areas that are easy to see and where customers are most likely to want access to the online content. For example, a product demo QR code should go near the appropriate product.

6. Boost Social Media Following

If you’ve been struggling to get more Instagram followers for your business, a QR code that links to your profile could be just what you need. Then, people only need to scan the QR code to immediately reach your social media profiles instead of searching for them.

Encourage in-person customers to scan the code and connect with you on your social media pages. Having both an in-person and online connection on social media will only strengthen your customer relationship and marketing results. With professional social media management from Optimize Digital Marketing, you can get the most out of your social media profiles. 

Best Practices for QR Code Marketing

QR codes and marketing strategy go hand in hand. When you’re setting up your QR advertising, apply these best practices to get optimal results:

• Use a high-contrast design of dark patterns on a light background so the codes are easy to scan.
• Optimize the QR code landing page for mobile devices.
• Include a clear call-to-action message that tells users what they’ll get by scanning, like “Scan for 10% off your tire rotation.”
• Make the QR code large enough that it’s eye-catching wherever you put it.
• Consider using a dynamic QR code that lets you change the destination URL after printing.
• Track analytics on your QR codes, such as scan frequency, timing, and location.

Start Using QR Codes To Boost Engagement Today

Finding new ways to engage your customers opens the door to more conversions and stronger customer relationships. QR codes help by making it easy for customers to get to a specific page on your website to learn more about your services, get a coupon, or sign up for email or text message communication.

As experts with years of experience in digital marketing, the Optimize Digital Marketing team has seen how useful QR codes can be across the board. We’re here to help you with our all-in-one marketing solutions, from social media to digital advertising. Contact us to get started on a customized marketing plan for your auto shop.