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How To Use QR Codes With SMSBump?

An SMSBump tutorial showcasing QR code integration.

Over two decades after QR codes were first announced, they are now making a huge comeback. They are growing in popularity and use, especially in the current global situation.

QR codes give businesses plenty of opportunities to grow by combining traditional and modern marketing strategies to present consumers with fun and engaging interaction with brands.

General Benefits of QR codes

Potential customers could access exclusive mobile-ready digital content with QR codes within seconds. They must scan the QR code through their phones and will be instantly redirected to a designated landing page with a special discount, personal message, or a YouTube tutorial video.

Another great benefit of QR codes is that they allow an omnichannel experience since they can be used across multiple platforms, combining online marketing with print and outdoor advertisement. They are also highly customizable and easy to implement. And last but certainly not least – their use can be easily tracked, allowing brands to analyze ROI on channels where possible.

Overall, QR codes are an excellent tool for merchants to connect with people, improve their shopping experience and enjoy a solid boost in sales.

Applications of QR Codes

Due to their versatility, QR codes have countless applications, and businesses, both online stores and B&M, can benefit from them.

B&M stores can use QR codes to stimulate purchases at points of sale by providing customers with helpful information about the products they are interested in or helping shoppers envision what they would look like/feel like after the purchase. This is why some B&M stores put QR codes on the label tag of certain products, let’s say a silk dress. By scanning the code, customers are redirected to a video of people with different body types modeling the same silk dress. Or a page with trendy looks and combinations of accessories accompanying this particular piece of clothing is also on sale.

Another way to use QR codes at points of sale would be to display a banner at a B&M store with a QR code leading to an active promotion on their online store. People can purchase without entering the store and return another day to pick it up or deliver it to their home.

QR codes are an excellent option for B&M stores to remain engaged with their customers even in the ongoing pandemic when contactless shopping and delivery have become critical priorities for shoppers. Check out how Walmart implements contact-free payment, pick-up, and delivery services for all stores. Instead of using touchscreens on self-checkout devices, customers in stores need to scan a QR code with their devices to pay utterly free of contact.

Combine QR codes with offline marketing tools to reach customers, collect subscribers or increase brand awareness. It used to be almost impossible to track the results of an outdoor advertisement campaign. Still, with the help of QR codes, marketers can determine which outdoor positions are more successful than others in driving website traffic, sales, or any other metric they want to keep an eye on.

Online stores can directly boost sales by sending print catalogs where each product has a designated QR code, leading potential customers to the exact product page on the website. This is how they will immediately determine if it is in stock and available in the desired color or size.

QR codes are the missing link between when someone sees your product and the checkout process, where they are already making an order from your store. It is a significant game changer for brands that want to combine more traditional tactics with innovative solutions and mobile marketing.

SMSBump & QR Codes

With all those great applications of QR codes and opportunities for brands, it should not be a surprise that we decided to implement QR codes within SMSBump!

By combining the power of text marketing with QR codes, Shopify stores can grow their subscribers successfully and send personalized offers, leading to improved customer experience and a boost in loyalty.

QR Codes to Grow Subscribers

For your business to grow, you need to nurture and expand your list of subscribers continuously. QR codes are the perfect and subtle way to build your SMS audience while offering great deals.

Brands can include QR codes in their regular brochures, flyers, leaflets, or other print materials sent out by mail or distributed through physical locations. Other options include adding them to magazines, newspaper ads, posters at subway stations, car stickers, store windows, etc.

From there on, subscribing is really easy and just one click away. Once potential customers scan the code on their phones, they are redirected to the text messaging menu, where they see a message with a predefined keyword included. They only need to hit the send button to be subscribed to your text marketing list! To have a shot at an immediate purchase, offer your new subscribers a small discount and your welcome message. This will give them an additional incentive to make an order.

Usually, print and outdoor advertisements are limited in space, and QR is the perfect tool to make the most of it and spark interest. People will be curious to scan the code and see what comes next, especially if the rest of the poster and your CTA nudge them too. Remember that QR codes are highly versatile and can be placed in various places and materials, allowing brands to reach out to communities in many channels and forms.

One of the best advantages of using this powerful combination, except for the boost in subscribers, is that the QR code will allow you to track the ROI of your offline marketing advertising, which could not have been achieved easily before (if at all).

Now that we have taken care of growing subscribers, it is time to move to the next step and think of ways to approach and keep them engaged with your brand.

Send Personalized Offers

Personalized offers can help you better engage with your audience and establish long-term customer relationships. By making each interaction with your product a personal and customized experience, you will soon enjoy the benefits of shoppers returning to your store and remaining loyal to your brand.

One way to send personalized offers with the help of QR codes is to include them in your product packaging. So whenever a customer receives their order from your store, they will notice a printed QR code with a short & sweet personal note. Scanning the code with their phones and becoming a subscriber, they will be rewarded with something exclusively for them. What that would be is entirely up to you! You can use this opportunity to offer a personal discount for their next purchase, exclusive access to your latest collection, complementary products, etc.

With QR codes and SMS marketing, businesses can directly access their audience, engage with them freely and in multiple locations (both on and offline), and offer targeted promotions to boost sales and brand awareness.

Final QR Thoughts

QR codes are potent tools for every marketing strategy and can bring much value to your brand and business when used correctly.

Just remember that not all people are that familiar with them (yet), so it is always helpful to provide brief instructions alongside any QR code, explain where it will lead visitors, and provide a link to a site or mobile application where users can download a QR code scanner.

If you need further inspiration on implementing them in your business, check out this article with 16 great examples of brands benefiting from QR codes.

This article originally appeared in the SMSbump blog and has been published here with permission.

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