Quick response (QR) codes are one of the many technologies marketers use to bridge physical and digital advertising efforts. Businesses incorporate these dynamic codes into print and digital catalogs, websites, social media, and more.
Whether you’re new to using QR codes or are already leveraging them in your marketing efforts, here are seven best practices to follow.
1. Consider what you’re linking to.
QR codes should take your audience directly to what you’re advertising. For example, if you’re promoting a new collection in your catalog, you should link your QR code to a new collection landing page. Or, maybe you’re encouraging customers to follow you on Instagram. In this case, the code should take people directly to your business account.
2. Include a call-to-action.
Always place a call-to-action (CTA) on your QR code. While the QR code will still function without a CTA, this added text helps readers understand what the QR code will do. Here are a few examples:
- Scan to learn more
- Download now
- Scan to read full article
3. Don’t invert the color of your QR code.
Inverting the color of your QR code can make it hard to scan. The foreground color of your QR code should always be darker than the background color.
4. Make sure the QR code is sized correctly.
For easy scanning, a QR code shouldn’t be too small or too large. The general guidelines are that a QR code should measure at least 2 x 2 cm and be high-quality, because low-resolution codes may affect scanability.
5. Optimize your content and landing pages for mobile.
If you’re using QR codes to send readers to your website, most visitors will view it on their smartphones. Link your QR codes to the mobile version of your website and make sure the content is mobile-optimized.
6. Always test QR codes before and after print.
There’s nothing worse than realizing your freshly printed catalogs or brochures include the wrong QR code. Test your QR codes before printing, and make sure they scan afterward.
7. Track and analyze QR code data.
After you’ve implemented your QR codes, take the time to track their progress and see how your QR code campaign is performing. These insights can help you determine how many people took action and areas to improve in future campaigns.
QR codes can be tricky, especially if you’ve never used this technology. However, they add tremendous value to catalogs and are a simple way to modernize print assets. If your business needs help developing proper QR codes or accessing in-depth analytics, contact our team of experts at The Dingley Press today.
Sources
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/7-best-practices-using-qr-codes-effectively-mcnutt-partners/
