Coronavirus has shaken the entire world, to say the least. In the middle of what experts deem as the worst recession in more than 100 years, concepts such as social distancing, safety first, and contactless marketing have become the norm.
Businesses must adapt to new ways of interaction to survive the pandemic. There are renewed ways and technologies to thrive in the COVID-stricken world. One such technology, although not new, that is making a comeback is the use of QR codes (also known as Quick Response codes).
Let’s discuss QR codes and how they’re helping businesses adapt their marketing strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
What are QR codes?
As POS systems gained popularity, barcodes also rose to prominence since their inception in the 1960s. In 1994, QR codes were introduced. This new technology exceeded its predecessor’s reading capacity of 20 digits to 7000 digits. The increased reading capability of QR codes proved to be ten times faster than the barcode technology.
With the increased availability of data points, QR technology has attracted new users. You can find the technology on presentations at business conferences, business cards, or even on buildings.
QR codes are mostly used for holding various data, such as:
- Simple text messages, such as a welcome or thank you message at business conferences.
- Email addresses, contact numbers, and addresses.
- Website URLs
- Links to download various apps.
- Information regarding your credit card or bank account.
- Online authentication
- WiFi authentication
QR Codes and Contactless Marketing During Coronavirus
According to the World Health Organization, when a person sneezes or coughs, they spray liquid droplets from their mouth or nose. When a person having the coronavirus sneezes, coughs, or talks in public, the water droplets sprayed from their mouth or nose may contain the virus and contaminate their surroundings. As people come into contact with their surroundings, they may also catch the virus.
Therefore, all are advised to maintain a distance, wear face masks, and frequently wash their hands and sanitize often-touched surfaces.
However, this condition is making it extremely difficult for businesses to thrive. Especially the companies that are concerned with social hospitality, including restaurants, hotels, cultural attractions, etc. are affected by restrictions.
In this situation, contactless marketing emerged, enabling both the promotion of social distancing and the continued operation of businesses. A crucial player in contactless marketing is the QR code. It requires a minimum distance of 25 cm to process and prevents customers from frequently touching frequently used surfaces.
Let’s look at how businesses are using QR codes these days.
Use of QR Codes in Businesses
Here are various ways businesses are utilizing QR codes as a technology.
For Restaurant Menus
Restaurant operators are ensuring their environments remain safe for customers as restaurants begin to reopen for dine-in service.
One of the popular steps taken is the use of QR codes to display menus. The QR code is available on the table or at the restaurant’s entrance. Customers can scan the QR code and download the restaurant’s menu. When they are ready to order, they can do so without needing to refer to a physical menu.
These digital menus are also handy for restaurant managers. They can easily update the menu, mention that a dish is unavailable, or offer discounts through digital means.
For Hotels
The hotel industry is utilizing QR codes for creative marketing purposes. Here’s how:
Contents are a great way to create engagement with followers. The hotel industry can send an email marketing campaign with a QR code to the brand’s social media profiles. The code will provide email subscribers with access to social media links on their mobile devices. If they follow, they may earn an entry into the giveaway for a chance to win an incentive.
Hotels use the power of Instagram posts to their full advantage. Usually, you can’t put links in Instagram posts; you may send the user to the bio to click on the link for the website. However, there’s a workaround. Hotels can use QR codes on their posts so customers can scan them to view special offers. QR codes can be used on all digital platforms, including hotel business presentations, so your customers can use the code wherever they are.
Just like in restaurants, hotels can also use QR codes to request feedback from their customers. The QR code can be placed on a table in the customer’s room, allowing guests to scan it and complete the feedback form using their phone. During COVID-19, this is especially crucial so that hotel managers can ensure their customers’ health and safety.
Get QR Codes for Your Business
When considering opening or running your business during COVID-19, QR codes can be a valuable asset. You can use QR codes in various ways; it all depends on your creativity. Malls have used QR codes for a while to allow visitors to gather information. To generate the QR codes, there are plenty of free and paid tools out there that enable users to create QR code images that later can be printed or used digitally.
In these uncertain times, it’s best to implement safety precautions with QR codes, allowing your customers to develop trust and reassurance in your brand.
Wrapping Up
QR codes are one way of implementing contactless marketing in today’s coronavirus-stricken times. Businesses must adjust to the changing times to thrive. Without incorporating technologies such as QR codes, companies may struggle to ensure the health and safety of their consumers. With QR codes, companies can present restaurant menus, special offers, and contest giveaways to customers.
