QR code tracking scans QR (quick response) codes to track performance and user insights using real-time statistics. Businesses can leverage this data to make better marketing and client management decisions. 

As a seasoned digital marketing specialist, I have experienced first-hand how essential QR code tracking is and how the data gathered provides actionable insights into potential opportunities. It's a surefire way to enhance consumer engagement and build business strategies that directly improve the bottom line.

In this article, I'll go through everything you need to know about QR code tracking, including how to leverage it, its benefits, and best practices. By the end, you'll have a well-rounded knowledge of its potential to enhance your brand or business in a highly competitive market. 

Let's start.

How Does QR Code Tracking Work?

QR code tracking is a monitoring system that uses real-time statistics to gather data on QR code scans. 

Each created QR code in the QR technology system has its own specific URL. Scannable QR codes use mobile devices to record and store URLs. 

These unique URLs can be used to gather data and insights, including:

• The location of the scan
• The number of total scans
• The date and time of the scan
• The type of device and operating system it has

Keep in mind that only dynamic QR codes allow for trackable data collection. Static QR codes, on the other hand, only allow users to scan and view set and fixed data. We’ll dive deeper into the differences in the next section. 

Businesses then use the data to enhance their understanding of customers, refine marketing strategies, optimize ad networks, and make better business decisions. 

2 Types Of QR Codes

There are two types of QR codes: static QR codes and dynamic QR codes. 

Static QR codes are permanent once generated. The data encoded into these QR codes remain fixed and uneditable, which means users cannot change it after printing the code. These are best suited for scenarios where information will not change, such as QR codes on business cards or product packaging. 

Creating unique digital business cards using static QR is an easy solution for businesses and professionals looking to expand their reach without the need for physical cards or marketing material. 

Dynamic QR codes are best suited for cases where the encoded data is subject to change, such as in time-sensitive promotions or coupons. Dynamic QR codes also allow businesses to track and analyze data, such as scan rates and locations.

Both static and dynamic QR codes have advantages and disadvantages, so businesses should select the type of QR code best suited to their needs. Here's a quick rundown of the benefits and drawbacks of each type:

The benefits of static QR codes are:

• They are permanent and cannot be edited after being generated.
• The data encoded into the QR code is also fixed, meaning that static QR codes cannot change.

The drawbacks of static QR codes are:

• They cannot be tracked and analyzed like dynamic QR codes.
• Users must generate a new QR code if the information encoded into the QR code requires modification.

The benefits of dynamic QR codes are:

• They are editable and can be modified even after they have been generated and printed.
• They can be tracked and analyzed, which allows businesses to gather data on scan rates and locations.

The drawback of a dynamic QR code is: 

• They require an internet connection to be edited.

In deciding which type to use for a QR code campaign, businesses should assess their needs and consider the QR code type that best suits their requirements based on demographics, target audience, and type of metrics that need to be tracked.

For instance, a shop selling dress forms like Dress Forms USA can use a static QR code on marketing material to lead customers to their contact page, about us page, or the product page. However, for limited-time coupons or seasonal sales, these businesses will employ a dynamic QR code.

7 Ways To Leverage QR Code Tracking

Businesses can leverage several use cases of QR code tracking to generate valuable insights and improve their marketing efforts. Since trackable QR codes offer a versatile technology for both Android and iOS devices, businesses can use them in various scenarios to track data, enhance customer experiences, and drive conversions.

Here are seven ways businesses can leverage QR code tracking:

1. Capture Sales Leads

QR codes can generate and convert leads into customers by redirecting them to a landing page where they can input their contact information. Since the data recorded captures all scans, QR code tracking can also provide valuable insight into click-through rates, bounce rates, and page closing, making it easier to create a pipeline for potential customer targeting and retargeting.  

2. Enhance Online Networking Efforts

Online networking is a powerful way to connect with potential customers and partners. Businesses can use QR codes to exchange contact information quickly and easily. By scanning a QR code, customers can instantly save your contact information on their iPhones without typing it out. 

QR codes are a great way to make information exchange more efficient, especially at events or gatherings. Individual professionals can also use QR code tracking to create virtual business cards. 

Your virtual business card or Vcard can be shared with others by simply scanning a QR code that contains your contact information. Including your portfolio and an introduction makes winning over clients with a first impression more effective than a physical business card.

Similarly, QR codes come in handy when holding a Zoom meeting with clients or giving them online product demos. You can quickly share the meeting URL with them by using a Zoom QR code and they can just scan it to join the meeting without any fuss.

3. Support Customer-Centricity

Businesses can also use QR codes in brick-and-mortar stores to provide customers with more information about a product. Customers can access product reviews, videos, or the store's website by scanning a QR code. You can drive foot traffic to your store and increase conversions this way.

QR codes can also drive online sales by redirecting customers to an online store or product page. Online shopping is on the rise, so it's essential to have a QR code that customers can scan to access your product page.

Additionally, using QR codes to collect customer feedback helps businesses quickly identify customer segments and better understand their thoughts about specific products or services. One great way to accomplish this is to use tools like Audiense to get better insights into current market demographics. 

Since QR code tracking collects critical data, companies can use the information to improve their offers and services to create a customer-centric brand.

4. Increase Brand Awareness

Brand awareness has become the driving force that enables modern businesses, regardless of size, to compete in an increasingly competitive marketplace. And what better way to increase brand awareness than using a QR code?

There is no limit to the placement of QR codes. Businesses can place QR codes on business cards, a poster, or even on the sides of a building. By getting creative with QR code placement, businesses can increase their brand's reach and make it visible to a wider audience.

Unconvinced about whether you should have QR codes on physical business cards? We discuss whether having a qr code on a business card is a good idea or a bad idea in this blog.

5. Enhance Audience Engagement

From Taco Bell’s edible QR codes to Tesco’s QR codes for virtual stores, brands are using them in multiple ways to increase audience engagement. For instance, businesses can use QR codes in a contest or giveaway. Customers can scan the QR code to enter the contest or receive a prize. 

Another way to use QR codes to increase engagement is to access exclusive content. For instance, businesses can place QR codes in print ads that link to a landing page with additional content such as videos, infographics, or eBooks. 

6. Collect intelligence on customer behavior

QR codes can also be a great source of customer engagement data. Businesses can use this data to plan social media releases, promotional releases, and more.

QR code tracking about customer and industry behavior also provides excellent insight into how campaigns resonate with key demographics. Taking customer behavior analytics to the next level, businesses can use tools like Google Analytics, which show valuable insights that help improve future campaigns.

7. Diversify User Experiences

QR codes are powerful tools businesses can use to diversify user experiences toward enhancing their overall marketing and campaigning opportunities. For example, on-site QR scans can add augmented reality that supports the event, gathering, party, or launch to engage potential and existing customers further.

Each unique scan can then gather data on how users interact with the code and what they think of the experience. By understanding how QR code tracking works, businesses can leverage it to support their marketing efforts, enhance customer experiences, and increase brand awareness. 

5 Key Benefits Of QR Codes

Leveraging QR code tracking includes a host of potential benefits for businesses. Some benefits cater to the marketing and customer aspect, while others cater to cost-saving efforts supporting digital transformation towards a more sustainable way of doing business. 

These benefits also unify physical and digital marketing efforts to create a cohesive customer experience. Some of the key benefits of QR codes are: 

I. Cost-effective & Sustainable Marketing

QR code marketing is an affordable and sustainable marketing solution for businesses of all sizes. Companies can easily use a QR code generator to create codes for their marketing campaigns. There is no need for printing or incurring other production costs, making QR codes a cost-effective solution.

The ease of generating a QR code also streamlines promotional events for product launches, seasonal sales, and unique discount opportunities. For example, a brand releasing a new product line can entice customers with an air of mystery by creating a contest to guess what will be released. 

II. Efficient Data Collection

Data collection is often tedious and time-consuming for businesses with a high potential for human error. When businesses track QR code scans instead, they can streamline data collection efforts and increase accuracy. For instance, businesses can use QR codes to gather customer feedback or track product inventory.

Additionally, businesses can track unique scans, locations, times, and dates using QR code tracking. In addition, QR codes can gather customer feedback and create an easy-to-digest format for businesses to understand customer sentiment. 

In the long term, these simplified processes provided by QR code analytics make better business decisions with the customer in mind.

III. Accessible To Consumers

Opting for a QR code tracking system over traditional methods like surveys or data entry forms makes it easier for businesses to collect customer information. All consumers need is a QR code scanner.QR codes are also non-intrusive and can be placed anywhere, making them convenient for customers.

Using QR code tracking over traditional surveys increases a business's chance of collecting more data and information from its target market. While simultaneously organizing key data points that can easily translate into inputs on a Google Analytics account.

IV. Privacy-friendly

Businesses that use QR code tracking can do so without infringing on consumer privacy. Consumers scan QR codes voluntarily, making them more privacy-friendly than methods requiring personal information from consumers. For businesses, tracking data using this method is beneficial as it helps to build consumer trust and confidence in the business.

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With the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in place, it's more important than ever for businesses to be transparent about collecting and using consumer data. QR codes are an excellent way for companies to collect data while still being GDPR compliant.

V. QR Codes Are The Future Of Marketing

There is no doubt that QR codes are the future of marketing. With their many benefits, it's easy to see why businesses choose QR code tracking over traditional methods. Not only are they cost-effective and privacy-friendly, but they also make data collection more efficient.

As we move into a more digital age, businesses must keep up with the latest trends and technologies. QR codes are an excellent way for companies to do just that while using a method of engagement that most consumers are already familiar with.

Conclusion

QR code tracking is the step businesses should take toward digital transformation. With its handful of benefits, QR code tracking also enables a business to quickly gather and digest valuable insights regarding its target customers, making it easier to create effective strategies. 

Are you ready to embrace the power of QR codes? Start today with a free Blinq Digital Business Card.