Whether you use them as a business card or in place of physical menus at a restaurant, QR codes are a great way to deliver a lot of information in a small space. These simple, scannable codes can be placed on posters, flyers, conference tables, and more in order to drive engagement with you and your business. Like with any marketing strategy, there are best practices. We’ve covered some QR code don’ts, but what about QR code dos? 6 QR code dos to help strengthen your marketing strategy 1. Give people a reason to scan: Wherever you place your code, you need a call to action. Why should they scan it? They should know what the QR code is taking them to before they scan it. Make sure the call to action is easy to see and understand. A QR code destination should never be a surprise.  2. Link to shortened URLs: QR codes are essentially a shortcut to a webpage or a file like a PDF. When linking to a webpage, it’s best to use a URL shortener and link to that shortened URL. This will help with scan and load times, making for a better user experience. Many QR code generators will shorten the link for you if you are making dynamic QR codes, but it’s best to double-check. 3. Use dynamic codes instead of static ones: Speaking of dynamic QR codes… There are two types of QR codes: Dynamic and static. Each has its own benefits, but for marketing purposes, dynamic QR codes are usually the best choice. Dynamic codes do not store information in the code itself, whereas static QR codes do. Because dynamic ones don’t have the information in the code design, this allows them to be updated, branded, and the size can be changed. They can also track analytics, where static QR codes cannot. Unless you are creating QR codes for a single-use purpose where the information never needs to be updated and you don’t need to track things, dynamic codes are going to be your best choice. 4. Incorporate branding: These days, QR codes can, to some extent, be customized to meet your branding needs. You can change the colors of the code, as well as add a logo or maybe an app icon (if you want them to use it to download an app.) However, as we mentioned in the QR code don’ts blog, you don’t want to go overboard. Ensure the code is still easy to see and can be scanned without issue. 5. Track the analytics: Don’t you want to know how many people are scanning your QR codes? Of course you do! You need to know how effective they are. Most QR code generators offer analytics tracking in some way, so take advantage of it! You use data and analytics in other aspects of your marketing strategy, so why not with this? 6. Keep it updated: The beauty of dynamic QR codes is that you can keep them updated without worrying about producing a new code. Swap out links, update your menus, and replace documents whenever you need to and don’t worry about printing out new ones. This makes it easy to continue to track analytics for different parts of a campaign, and keep things more sustainable! 

QR codes are an easy and effective marketing tool that exploded in popularity during the pandemic. Although they’ve been around since the 90s, the need for contactless information exchanges during the COVID-19 pandemic brought them back in a big way. However, the boom in usage also brought to light some common QR code don’ts you’ll want to avoid. QR codes aren’t just for menus. They have many uses and can be a great tool to have in your marketing arsenal. QR code business cards are a more sustainable way of sharing your business information, and they can be an easy way for customers to learn more about a product or service. A small QR code can hold much more information than a simple flyer or product description. And with their ability to be edited and altered without changing the code themselves, it’s a great way to ensure your customers get the most up-to-date information possible. Like with anything, there are best practices to keep in mind when launching your QR code campaign. So before you launch into your QR code era, make sure to avoid these don’ts. Easily Avoid These 7 QR Code Don’ts 1. Make it too small: A great thing about QR codes is they can hold a lot of information in a small space. And they can be printed fairly small and still work! But they can be too small. Remember the context your customers will be scanning them in and if it’s big enough to be effective. If it’s too small, they might not notice it. And worse? It might not work. 2. Have it link to a webpage that isn’t optimized for mobile: QR codes are meant to be scanned by a smartphone. If you direct people to desktop pages that haven’t been optimized for mobile, you give them a bad user experience. They likely won’t stay on the page very long, rendering your QR code campaign ineffective.  3. Put them where people can’t scan them: Up high, on billboards, inside a fish tank. Okay, that last one was a joke, but you get the point. The beauty of QR codes is that they can be incredibly accessible if they are used correctly. Keep in mind how easy it is to reach the code with a smartphone when placing them.  4. Over customize: These days, QR code generators usually offer some creative freedom. Allowing you to do things like change the colors and add a logo. This is great, especially for branding purposes, but it’s very easy to render the QR code unscannable. Darker colors scan better than lighter colors, and if you add a logo, try to keep it small so it doesn’t interfere with the code itself.   5. Put too many in one place: Sometimes you may need more than one QR code in the same place. For instance, a restaurant may have one for the drinks menu and one for the food menu. You may have one on your marketing flyer that goes to your website and one that allows people to download an app. If you need more than one in the same place, be sure to clearly label them and spread them out so there is no confusion on what code goes where. 6. Flash them quickly: If you are putting a QR code in a digital ad like on TV or on a screen in a stadium, make sure they are up long enough for people to pull out their phones, open the camera app, and scan them. If they flash too quickly, no one can use them.  7. Forget to test it first: Before you put your QR codes on your business cards or marketing materials, make sure you test them. More than once. Use different kinds of phones, and put them in places with various levels of Wi-Fi access and phone service levels. Be 200% sure that most people will be able to scan your code before putting it out into the world. 

QR Codes are an important part of marketing strategies in today’s world. They allow for more eco-friendly collateral and help keep interactions contactless. They are revolutionizing how we share information with our customers, from menus to business cards. Business cards have been around for far longer than you might think they have. They date back to 15th-century China when royalty and aristocrats would use them as “visiting cards” to announce their arrival to whoever was hosting them. They reached popularity outside of the aristocracy in Europe around the 17th century. While they’ve evolved over the centuries, they remain a valuable tool for networking and connecting with potential customers. The latest in business card evolution? Digitizing. Digital business cards are a fast, easy way to share your information with people without ensuring you have a stack on you at all times. They also decrease the amount of cards people, including yourself, need to keep track of once they acquire them. What is a digital business card? Digital business cards come in a few forms. They’re still the same networking tool your grandfather used, just virtual. This offers numerous benefits that traditional business cards lack. A digital business card can be shared via a URL, a QR code, or even an app. The recipient can then click on the URL, scan the QR code or use an app to access the information. Some virtual business card apps require the recipient to have the same app to access the information, but others allow the card to be accessed without the app. URLs can be embedded on websites or social media profiles allowing for wide distribution. QR codes can be put on webpages or apps or even printed out onto a piece of paper or a standard business card that people can scan, allowing for just one piece of paper instead of dozens, if not hundreds, of copies. Who needs a digital business card? Everyone who uses a traditional business card can benefit from a digital business card. It’s nearly impossible these days to do business without using devices like phones, computers, and the internet. If you are using these things, you need a virtual business card. Trust us.  When should you use a digital business card? Whenever you would use a traditional business card. If you’re attending a conference, tradeshow, or networking event, you could print out a QR code and slide it into a tabletop display for people to scan after visiting your booth. You could also have a traditional business card with a QR code on it that people can scan, allowing you to have just one card on you. No more running out of cards to distribute halfway through the networking event. Why is a digital business card better than a traditional paper card? 1. Environmentally friendly No paper or printing is required. Of course, there are instances when a hard copy may be warranted, like some of the examples above. However, the virtual aspect allows you to reduce how many copies you need. So even if you print out a QR code here and there, it will be significantly less than what you would need with a traditional paper card. Multiply this by all of your employees that need them, and you’re saving a lot of trees! 2. Up-to-date information Digital cards can be easily updated with the latest information. If your phone number changes or your office moves to a new address, you don’t need to worry about ordering new cards. That information can easily be updated without any disruption to your workflow. And new employees won’t have to wait for cards to be designed, printed, and shipped to start using them. 3. Convenient storage Digital cards can be stored on a smartphone, reducing the need for a physical cardholder. If you opt for a hard copy, you only need one or two. It’s less you need to keep track of, eliminating the classic “let me give you my card” while you fumble around in your pockets for one. 4. Analytics tracking Digital cards can track who has viewed the card and when. Many times a digital business card can store the person who scans its information in your address book or a system, so you don’t have to worry about collecting it yourself. This makes it much easier to track leads, follow up with people you met networking, and get a sense of your potential client’s interest. 5. Cost-effective Digital cards are typically free or low-cost compared to printing paper cards. If you go the app route, there are many free options out there. Printing out batches of paper business cards for every person on your team who needs them can add up quickly. Especially if they need to be updated. 6. Interactivity Digital cards can contain links, videos, and other interactive elements. You aren’t limited to just a name, phone number, and address. You can use it as an opportunity to share a video highlighting your product or to link to your website to give the recipient easy access directly to your company. 7. More creativity No longer limited by the space of a small business card, the world is truly your oyster. From the design to the content to the distribution experience, you have more choices than you do with a paper card. The creativity that digital business cards give you allows for an opportunity to stand out from your competitors immediately and make a lasting impression.

QR codes (quick response codes) have grown in popularity over the last few years. While they were officially released in 1994, it took a while for mass adoption to take off. They became a useful tool for places like restaurants during the pandemic when people wanted contactless experiences, and their popularity is only growing. While a restaurant using a QR code for their menus is a no-brainer, the application for other types of businesses might not be so obvious. However, there are many ways that businesses of all kinds can leverage the technology and reap the benefits that QR codes provide. What is a QR Code? A QR code is a type of two-dimensional barcode that can store information such as website links, contact information, and other data. It can be scanned using a smartphone camera and a QR code reader app. Why should you use QR codes? Ease of accessibility: People are busy. You’re busy, your team is busy, and your customer is busy. So don’t you want to share information as quickly and as easily as possible? With a quick scan of the QR code, you’re given the exact information you need. You no longer need a special app to scan them, eliminating the need for people to search for the information on their own or download yet another app. The user experience is seamless and doesn’t require anything out of the ordinary. Just the phone they likely already have in their pocket. This brings us to… Smartphones are everywhere: Smartphones have been widely adopted. From young kids to grandparents, the majority of people have a smartphone. By capitalizing on the day-to-day technology that everyone carries with them and already owns, you are meeting your customers where they are without requiring anything from them. They simply open up their camera app, take a quick selfie, and scan your code. This avoids app fatigue and caters directly to your business’ and customers’ needs. It’s greener: Oftentimes, QR codes can replace the need for paper materials. Or, at the very least, cuts down on the amount needed. Restaurants can provide and update their menu without printing them out. By putting a QR code on your table at a conference, you can provide potential customers with the information they need without needing to provide flyers or pamphlets. How are businesses using QR Codes? Different types of businesses can benefit from QR codes and are using QR codes in a variety of ways. Here are six we’ve highlighted for you. 1. Marketing QR codes can link to company websites, product pages, or promotional offers. Replace handouts with a QR code at a trade show or event. Use QR codes so people can easily follow your business on social media.  2. Payments QR codes can be used for mobile payments, reducing the need for cash or card transactions. It’s secure and simple and can be done from a phone. 3. Contactless check-in QR codes can be used for check-ins at events, hotels, or gyms. Eliminate the need for individual physical badges, and reduce contact points.  4. Inventory tracking QR codes can be used to track retail and supply chain management inventory. Inventory can be tracked in real-time. A traditional barcode can hold 20 characters, and a QR code can hold 7,000 numbers or 4,000 alpha-numeric characters, allowing you to track more inventory with one code. 5. Access control QR codes can be used for secure building access or event entry. It’s a simple yet secure authentication process that is convenient for users and provides you with granular data in real-time. 6. Business Cards  A QR code on your business card allows you to provide someone with more information than can fit on a standard business card. By seeing who scans the code, you can follow up and engage with potential customers and clients searching for more information. Bonus Use: Menus! Want to implement QR codes but don’t know where to start? The BOSS.Tech