What is a QR Code and Do You Need One?
A Quick Response code or QR code is the trademark for a two-dimensional barcode first designed in Japan. A barcode is a machine readable optical label that contains information about an item to which it is attached. A QR code uses four standardized encoding modes about the item – numeric, alphanumeric, byte/binary and kanji (modern Japanese writing). This encoding efficiently stores data.
A QR code consists of black squares arranged in a square grid on a white background which can be read by an imaging device such as a camera. The image is interpreted and the necessary data extracted from patterns that are present in both the horizontal and vertical components of the image.
How does my online shop benefit from a QR code?
With the technicalities explained, your online shop can benefit by having a uniquely designed QR code printed on all your packaging materials and on all promotional items. QR codes are free to design, so once designed you can send the QR code to your printers to put on stickers, tape, promotional items and any marketing material.
Your QR code can then be scanned by customers and potential customers via their mobile phone or tablet. Once scanned to their mobile device it will take them directly to your online store.
QR Codes are excellent for promoting your business
You can use QR codes to offer special coupon codes for customers who have previously purchased from your online shop. You can also use QR codes to direct customers to social media pages or to a specific product page on your website so you can target specific products for promotion.
Promotions and discounts are highly recommended for online stores, and customers have come to expect them. It’s vital that you keep one step ahead of your competitors to keep your customers coming back.
You can offer a fixed or percentage discount on purchases over a certain amount, a fixed or percentage discount of specific products, a ‘buy one (or two), and get one free’ type discount or free shipping. The offer is up to you, based upon what you think that your customers will most appreciate–and act upon.
Specific target markets can be identified and isolated for various promotions by breaking your customer base down into specific groups, such as those who buy each week from your online store, or those who spend over a certain amount in one month in purchases from your online store, and so on. Individual marketing promotion can be set under different descriptions with a set duration. You can set the start date and time and the end date and time of each individual promotion.
QR codes can make your marketing campaigns or product promotions exclusively targeted and exciting.
For more information about QR Code advantages and whether you need them for your online shop or to sign up for a merchant account, please call (888) 924-2743 or go to Charge.com