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QR (Quick Read) code is the modern rendition of the classic barcode and holds several advantages over its predecessor. With the penetration of smartphones in the market, QR codes have become a norm wherever you go. Retailers are discovering new ways of incorporating QR codes into their everyday shopping experiences. 

Walmart just recently digitalized its stores, and customers are stunned. The QR codes and digital screens can help you explore the store digitally and elevate the overall experience. The first question that comes to mind after hearing such usage of QR codes in shopping is whether it is worth it. If yes, how can you use this QR technology to boost your business? This article aims to explore the answer to all of these questions.

QR Codes in Shopping: A Hit or Miss?

Fantastic quality, reasonable pricing, and exceptional customer service – this is the holy trinity of every retail business. Once you have achieved that, you will start to get buyers. But how can you turn these consumers into loyal customers? The answer is simple.

Create a seamless experience for your shoppers, and they will be inclined to return again and again. Integrating QR codes in shopping is the first step towards creating a homey ecosystem for your consumers. QR can do wonders for your business. 

It creates a sense of mystery, and you can enhance this enigmatic feeling by strategically placing CTAs. Now, the rest is pretty easy, your customer will scan the code, and you can take them wherever you want. This “wherever” does not have to be a vague page about your business. It can be anything from secret discount codes to feedback pages.

In short, QR codes, if placed strategically, can become a hot hit for your business. The good news is that Unitag can help make this immersive shopping experience even better with their customized QR codes. 

Create Customized QR Codes for Your Retail Business

Before learning the practical implication of QR codes in shopping, it is essential to learn how to create these codes. The process is pretty simple. 

  1. Go to Unitag
  2. Enter your store’s web address 
  3. Create a QR code
  4. Customize these codes using multiple templates, colors, logos, and options. 
  5. Scan the code to test it 
  6. Voila, you are good to go

How Can You Use QR Codes in Shopping?

Now that you know how you can create a QR code, the next step is to figure out where to place this code and what to do with it. Well, the options are limitless. Here are our top suggestions. 

Connect With Your Customers: Direct them to Your Website

This is probably the most common and straightforward use of QR codes. Place the code on the packaging of your products, and your customer can land on your website using this code. From here, it’s upto you if you want to tell them about the usage of the product they bought. Or maybe they can go to a web page with similar add-on products. The purpose is to interact with the customers so they can learn about you. This not only creates customers that are loyal but also acts as a method for brand outreach.

Lead Generation 

Organic lead generation has become difficult compared to the past. Previously, social media companies like Facebook had customer data, and targeted ads with this data were used to attract potential customers. However, with the new privacy laws, this has become difficult. Therefore, you can use these QR codes to gather customer information, their demographics, contact information, purchasing habits, etc. 

You can create a QR lead generation form and entice the customers to fill it with the help of an incentive. You can also create a waiting list for a product that is out of stock. Your potential customer needs to scan the code, and you can collect their contact information to let them know when the product will be available.

Offer Discounts, Coupons, and Mobile Rebates

Customers never say no to discounts because they love them. There are multiple ways in which you can reward your customers, such as coupons, secret purchases, and mobile rebates.

Rebates can be a great way of rewarding customers who have already purchased the products. However, it has always been a bit complicated. Either customer used to mail or followed a lengthy and complicated online process.

QR codes have made the whole process uncomplicated and buttery smooth. Customers can receive their rebates when they’re inside the store. It means customers do not have to wait for something that can be so simple.

QR codes find their most common use in coupons. Customers no longer have to remember complicated codes. All a customer needs to do is scan their coupon QR code. As a result, there are no interruptions or delays. The risk of a customer losing a coupon page also becomes negligible.

Secret Purchases

We all make secret purchases for our loved ones from time to time. Whether it’s birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, etc., we love the element of surprise in our gifts. However, people often have to hide their gifts from their family members or friends, especially when they visit the store together. That’s longer an issue with QR codes. 

They can simply scan the mobile QR code, which will take them directly to the sales page. They can either reserve it for pickup later or order it immediately and get it shipped to their home. So, no more hide & seek with the loved ones. 

Use QR Codes in Shopping to Allow Cashless Payments.

COVID 19 necessitated the use of a touch-free retail experience, and QR codes came to the rescue. Businesses such as pharmacies, banks, and restaurants now mostly use QR codes for transactions. Just scan the code, and the payment will be made. 

Increase Customer Retention 

QR codes present a fantastic opportunity for taking customers to the desired landing page. If they take further action, it will push the customers deeper into your business as they’ll learn more about it.

By making customers land on a specific page, businesses can introduce them to in-depth product information, sell products, and teach them about the brand. This, in turn, increases customer retention. 

People love the convenience, and you can provide it to them by simplifying the purchase of repeatedly bought items. QR can do this for you. By scanning the code, your customer can go to the buying page for their favorite product and make the purchase without having to scroll endlessly. 

Targeted CTAs on Your Store Front 

We all know the importance of CTAs on a storefront. You can display QR codes on your storefront with catchy CTAs. In this way, a person can scan the QR without even entering the shop. Even if your shop is closed, they can make a purchase using the code.  

Enhance Customer Feedback Ratio

People love to write reviews. Sounds shocking right? But that’s true; the only gap between a consumer being satisfied with your business and writing a fantastic review is convenience. That is what you can achieve by incorporating QR in shopping. Enhancement of the feedback ratio will increase your brand’s reputation and trust. 

Employ QR Technology to Transform the Shopping Experience of Your Customers

The use of QR codes in shopping is definitely a hit if one looks at its versatility. Here are some mind-blowing statistics: the use of QR codes shot up from 35% in September 2020 to 83% in April 2021. With this type of rising usage, one cannot discount its importance in the retail business. 

They perfectly bridge an online business with an offline brick-and-mortar shop. You can turn your one-time customers into repeat buyers by introducing a seamless shopping experience for them. Unitag can make this process even more accessible thanks to their easy customizable QR codes with lifelong validity.