Traditional and digital marketing has evolved dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic, which become a source of requirements and leisure for those isolated at home. Digital marketing has transformed quicker than any other area of marketing, and the COVID-19 pandemic is to respond. People began spending more time online than ever before once the pandemic hit, enhancing their online presence and expanding the online business opportunity. This cleared the way for a bright future for digital marketing organizations that used QR codes, which are a part of print marketing strategy, to bridge the gap between traditional and digital marketing.
Bringing Traditional and Digital Marketing Together
For small-business owners, managing social media and executing relevant print marketing may soon become a full-time profession. While direct mail campaigns are still the most cost-effective, in today’s digital environment, small businesses must have a social media presence. Some experts encourage updating your social media on a daily basis, which can be difficult because coming up with new methods to improve your social media efforts might seem like a burden. Including QR codes in your direct mail is a game-changer since it connects traditional and digital marketing together.
In 1994, Denso Wave, a Japanese company, introduced the QR code, or quick response code. The QR codes were used to track automobile parts during production at Denso, a division of Toyota Motor Company. The tiny black-and-white squares are made up of encoded data that can be scanned into a computer. In 2002, specific software for scanning QR codes was added to mobile phones, assisting in the mainstreaming of the technology. For many entrepreneurs, QR codes have become an essential aspect of doing business.
Many consumers were unfamiliar with QR codes before the pandemic outbreak. When the pandemic started, businesses across the country stopped printing menus to prevent germs from spreading. Learning how to use QR codes has become a must for anyone dining out.
QR Codes in Marketing
QR codes can help your business interact with clients and increase traffic to your website by including them in your marketing materials. According to a survey of 1,100 people done by Statista in June 2021, at least 45 percent of participants have recently used a marketing-related QR code. According to the survey, 59 percent of consumers believe QR codes will stick around and become a permanent part of how they use their mobile devices.
Here are a few ways QR codes might assist your small business’s direct mail marketing strategy to be more effective.
1. Maximize the number of people who visit your website.
Incorporate a QR code into your next direct mail campaign to increase website traffic. This is particularly important if your website offers e-commerce or allows visitors to sign up for your services. You can also direct individuals to your social media account to increase the number of people who follow you.
2. Create a database of email accounts.
You may keep in touch with your loyal consumers by using an email database. It can be used to keep customers informed about sales, new products, and special events. It’s a terrific approach to remind customers about appointments while also keeping your company at the forefront of their minds. A small business can acquire fresh email addresses by asking for them at the point of sale, but QR codes can also be used. Directing potential clients to a sign-up page can aid in the generation of new leads.
3. Get feedback from customers.
It’s critical to obtain client feedback in order to improve your services and offerings. Positive evaluations can help improve sales, and Google reviews are a tried-and-true approach for obtaining feedback. Scanning a QR code that leads to a page where customers may leave a review is another way to increase feedback. Send them to a social network account where they can publicly share their experience and directly communicate with you.
4. Improve customer satisfaction.
Customers are more likely to scan QR codes for a freebie or voucher when they are successful. Rewarding loyal clients with exclusive discounts encourages them to return. It is up to you to provide excellent customer service.
5. Make the consumer experience better.
Small businesses can improve their customers’ experiences by using QR codes to enable contactless payment and online buying, as well as provide detailed product information.
Steps for a Successful business that uses QR Code
It’s not the greatest method to ensure success by placing a QR code on your marketing materials and crossing your fingers. The following are some of the most important procedures to ensure a successful QR code:
- Make sure to pay close attention to where your QR code is placed. It should be placed in a prominent location with a call to action to attract customers to scan it.
- QR codes don’t have to be in black and white anymore. Make sure your QR code is large enough to capture people’s attention and don’t be scared to utilize color.
- One of the simplest methods to gain traction is to incorporate a QR code as part of a promotion or freebie.
- QR codes are just one of the many ways small businesses may help drive sales by bridging the gap between traditional and digital marketing.
Conclusion
Text, URL links, automatic SMS messages, and any other information that can be well-established in a two-dimensional barcode can be stored in QR codes. Scanning the barcode with a mobile device equipped with a camera and QR reader software can decipher the programmed data. QR codes are employed in a variety of sectors, despite the fact that they are quite adaptable and have been around for over eighteen years.
You can reach out to our Digital Marketing Specialists at info@instiqa.com if you have any queries about this post or if you require any digital marketing services.