Using QR Codes to Drive Traffic Back to your Website
Written By: Shane Clark on August 3, 2020
QR is short for Quick Response (they can be scanned by a cell phone). They are used to take a piece of information from a transitory media and put it into your cell phone. QR Codes can be an excellent way to drive traffic back to your website. The amount of data stored by a QR code is greater than the traditional bar code. QR codes allow for URL links, text, and geo coordinates to be read from almost any standard smartphone.
Pratical Implementations of QR Codes
QR Codes can be used to drive website traffic back to a landing page, website, or even directly to a restaurant menu. Using a QR code can allow you to drive a customer to a longer URL that might be difficult to enter on a cell phone. One of the more practical uses during the COVID-19 pandemic is to direct restaurant customers back to an online menu.
Using QR Codes for Your Restaurant
With many health regulations forbidding using reusable menus at restaurants due to COVID-19, a QR code solution can provide an effective, low-cost solution for your customer’s menu needs. The QR code should be part of a well-formed restaurant website development strategy. It is vital to make sure the QR code is displayed on the table with simple instructions instructing the user to read the QR code with their phone.
Depending on the restaurant, it could be a better option to have QR codes printed per menu type. For example, breakfast, lunch, or dinner menu depending on the time of day would be displayed on the customer’s table. The menu your customers are redirected to should be easy to view and navigate.
Implementation of QR Codes in Your Physical Store
QR codes well placed in a physical store can be a great way to encourage customer engagement. QR codes can be used to highlight product specials, product pricing, and general business information. The key to successful implementation will depend primarily on bar code placement and how useful the information is that the customer views. Another consideration is to make sure all the information in the QR code is kept up-to-date.
Using QR Codes in Your WooCommerce Store
QR Codes can provide an easy way to offer discounts on products and shipping to your customers. The easiest way to accomplish a QR code implementation in WooCommerce is via a plugin. WebToffee had developed “URL Coupons for WooCommerce” that I have found that supports QR code based coupons seamlessly. Another plugin worth consideration is QR & Barcode Generator Label Printing, developed by Woolabel.
Using QR Codes in Your Shopify Store
Shopify supports adding QR code with the addition of an app. The free one that is provided by Shopify is called Shopcodes. Another app on the Shopify app store is QR Code By Ovaly. Both of the apps supported by Shopify are easy to install and use. My concern with all the available apps I have run across is the lack of user tracking that you might find with the implementation of a 3rd party solution.
Getting Started with QR Codes
With the available web-based tool, creating your QR code can be done in minutes. There are many free and paid web-based tools that will generate QR codes. Here is an article from Constant Contact to understand the basics. Many of the paid QR creation services offer user tracking that can help be able to track users in a sales & marketing funnel. Some of the more popular QR creation websites include QR Code Monkey, QR Code Generator, and goQR.me.
Designing Around Your QR Code
As with everything else that is web-based, it is important to maximize your conversions rate, and a well-thought-out design can help with that. Many online creation tools allow for the placement of your logo and design alteration to the QR code box. Keep in mind that any designs added that cover up the QR code could render the QR code inoperable.
Printing Your QR Code Design
Once you have your QR code design approved, you will then need to get it printed. The same printing company used for business cards, flyers, and brochures can be used to print out your QR code designs. It is vital to make sure that the images are of a higher quality to be able to use from a smartphone with no issues. Always make sure to print a single instance of your QR code design and test, before taking it to your printing company.
Summary:
QR codes can make it easier to drive traffic to a particular landing page or website. The best implementation of QR codes will depend on the business type, website technology, and available technical resources. Feel free to contact me for a quote and any pricing.
