10 Ways to use QR codes for your small online business

(Last Updated On: May 26, 2023)

Are you an online business looking for an easy, time-sensitive and cost-effective manner of letting your customers know about your company? These QR code uses may just be your answer.

For businesses, marketing collaterals generally come with very little real estate and a large associated cost. QR codes come with minimal steps, no language barriers and time-effective ways of engaging and interacting with your customers via marketing collaterals.

They also open the doorway for potential customers to explore your videos, websites and more. These are quick, easily scannable, and easy to make!

What are QR codes?

Quick Response codes (QR Codes) enable packing in large chunks of data in a small grid of black and white pixels. QR codes are 2-dimensional barcodes, with more enhanced features than a traditional 1-dimensional barcode.

These codes are customizable and can store up to 4000 alphanumeric characters, as compared to the traditional barcodes which could store up to 20 horizontal characters. They can be read from any direction with any simple smartphone or barcode reader.

These codes can link back to the URL of product launches, your website, downloadable newsletters and more. They are an easy, inexpensive and time-effective substitute for the traditional ways of print ads.

10 ways you can use QR Codes for your business

QR code uses for your business cards

Traditional business cards come with limited information. For any other further assistance, your customers have to visit your website by manually typing in your URL or personally contacting you.

Cut down their work. A QR code attached to your business card works as a handy portfolio you can leverage within a few clicks. Having a mobile-friendly sign-up is an added bonus for a hassle-free user experience.

QR code uses for print ads

A common problem seen in most marketing collaterals is their exorbitant prices and limited real estate. To create an interactive and engaging user experience in a limited space you can integrate QR codes in your marketing and print assets.

This would make your ads a gateway to encourage your customers to discover you and your brand effectively.

These QR codes can be used to promote new trends, discounts and more. They can also be used to link product update videos, promotions, or important updates or downloadable information.

Additionally, these codes also come with trackable links to gain insights into the traffic you receive via these codes.

Related read: How to effectively use social media to launch your business successfully

QR code uses for invoices 

Collecting and managing invoices can be a hectic task. But with QR codes, you can not only download but also manage your invoices digitally.

Additionally, they can be used to redirect customers back to your website or other related pages. Some of these can be shipping details, contact information and more.

Related read: 5 Free invoice templates to fit your business needs

QR code uses for event links

Have an event coming up? The more people get to know about it the more you will be able to sell event tickets online.

Traditional modes include event promotional assets like posters, which are both expensive and limited in terms of how much they communicate.

With the usage of QR codes, one can not only get downloadable tickets but also link important information such as maps and virtual tickets to ensure an enhanced user experience.

This not only cuts down the usage of paper but also allows your customers to travel lighter making it an added bonus.

QR for inventory

Gone are the days when sellers and merchants sat down with long lists for stock checks and inventory. Initially developed to track cars in manufacturing units, QR codes are an ideal inventory management tool.

With these codes, you can track detailed information such as serial numbers, docket and lot numbers to name a few.

QR code uses for travel businesses 

If you are selling travel or hotel services online, QR codes can be an effective way to give your customers an immersive experience without spending too much on actual physical guides. You can just send your customers QR codes that when scanned can:

1. Provide detailed information about the place
2. Give a guided tour with audio
3. Give important historical facts and trivia
4. Provide a map with proper directions

A simple QR code can make your customer’s travel experience smooth and enjoyable.

QR for restaurant businesses 

During COVID 29, restaurants were one of the hardest hit businesses. once Covid started receding and people started stepping out, restaurant owners had to make sure customers still felt safe.

In 2021, contactless dining became a rage. And the first to go were the physical menus. Nobody wanted to touch menus that have been in countless hands and are passed around from table to table.

Restaurants are now placing QR codes to get their menus digitally downloaded on the phones of the customers themselves.

QR for digital and TV ads

Have you watched the recent edition of the IPL? Millions are glued to the TV screen. What happens when a brand has just 20 seconds to make its mark? Smart brands like Dunzo utilised this time by simply showing a QR code on television screens.

With phones being accessible at ALL times, it is not a difficult task to just simply lift your smartphone and scan the code.

Dunzo won at this marketing attempt with a 10x traffic increase on this campaign’s landing page.

QR code uses for post-purchase engagement   

From t-shirts to cookies to practically anything. Post-purchase engagement is crucial if you want your customers to keep coming back to you.

An innovative way to use QR codes to increase post-purchase engagement is to put these codes in the packaging. When scanned these QR codes can –

• Direct the customer to leave reviews online
• Show them new product launches
• Take them to the brand’s Instagram page
• Lead them to the website
• Give them referral codes or discount coupons for their next purchase
• Lead them to special marketing campaign-related landing pages

Collect payments with QR codes 

What’s more? You can even sell and collect payments, via these QR codes.

With Instamojo you can not only create these codes free of cost but also collect money securely.

Just share your payment link on SMS, Email, Whatsapp, Facebook, Website and more and never miss a payment! Also allow your customers to pay via Credit/Debit Cards, Wallets, Net Banking, UPI & EMI and QR Codes.

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