The Pros And Cons Of Using QR Codes For Your Business

QR codes have gained rapid popularity in the last couple of years. They are designed to supply information and encourage engagement. With a QR code, you can download apps, coupons, and other forms of communication instantly. All a person has to do is use their smartphone to scan the code, which can be done quickly.

There are several common uses of QR codes, one of them being that they can be used to bring more traffic to a business website or landing page. Instead of typing in a long URL, you could make a QR code that can be scanned. These codes can also be used for communication purposes. Instead of sending an email or a text message, the code may be scanned instead to access the message to be communicated.

Though there are several reasons to use a QR code, you want to make sure you have all the necessary information before getting into it. It’s important to weigh the pros and cons.

Here are some of the pros and cons of using QR codes for your business.

The Pros

One of the major pros of using QR codes for your business is keeping your printing and marketing costs down. The cost of printing marketing materials like brochures, flyers, catalogs, ads, and other signage adds up. Using a QR code makes communicating information to your clients or customers easier and more efficient. The code can direct a customer to an online promotion, for example, so you do not waste worthy print space on details that can be accessed online.

Since the QR code can direct customers to an online platform, it can be used for tracking audience engagement. It all depends on your objectives and what you are trying to track, but you can easily assign a tracking system to any of the QR codes created.

Lastly, QR codes are tailored specifically for mobile devices. This is great news because most people are attached to their mobile devices. The fact that these codes are mobile-friendly makes it easy for customers to follow through with scanning.

The Cons

QR codes are convenient, but they are not foolproof. They have their drawbacks as well. For instance, providing excellent customer service can be difficult. When a customer does not have access to a phone camera that can read QR codes, they may have to access an app that supports reading the code. The code is a shortcut, but there are some technical aspects you may not be able to walk a customer through.

As a business using a QR code, you must also tell your customers why you are using the code. You have to let them know what they have to gain from scanning the code. It is important to create promotions and microsites that cater directly to your QR code audience.

Finally, two-way communication is sometimes the better option as opposed to scanning a code. Though we have the technology, sometimes the simplest things do not require technology.