How Small Businesses Can Use QR Codes to Attract More Customers

 

You've seen QR codes in your daily lives: On restaurant menus, on product packaging, on promotional material, at checkout counters – even on little thank you cards!

A simple scan with your smartphone opens up a website, product page, social media account, review form, etc., for customers.

But for small businesses, a QR code is much more than opening a webpage.

So, how exactly do QR codes benefit small businesses and what are some places that businesses could be using these every day?

1. QR Code Can Hold Many Things

QR codes have the ability to link customers to various forms of digital content. Rather than being used for one purpose only, small businesses may leverage this as an opportunity to access different parts of their business through a QR code.

Product Pages and Product Information

The packaging of products is usually small in size. The QR code provides customers with additional details that do not crowd up the physical packaging.

 A QR code may direct customers to:

• Full product descriptions
• Product specifications
• Instructions and tutorials
• Photos or videos for the product
• User guides
• Frequently asked questions
• Online shopping pages

It makes the physical label or package look clean and easily readable but also gives customers access to more information if needed.

Your Brand Story

The backstory of the brand is often as important for small business owners as it is for their products themselves.

A QR code might take them to a page that explains:

• How the business started
• Why the product was created
• The story behind a particular product
• The brand's values
• How products are made

This is particularly helpful for handmade businesses, independent brands, local stores, food businesses or any small company who would like customers to know about the people and ideas behind their products.

Social Media

QR codes are another easy method for customers to locate a business on social media.

Rather than having customers manually search for a brand name, they can be directed straight to their Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or Pinterest page via a QR code.

When a customer finds your business by means of a physical product, it gives you the opportunity to have that person follow you on social media and keep in touch with your brand post-purchase.

Reviews and Customer Feedback

A second use case would be to link your QR code directly to a review or feedback page.

Imagine if you had a small business that wanted to put a QR code beside something like this:

When scanned, they are taken straight to a review page where they can share their experience.

The less steps required by customers to give feedback makes it easier to get customer feedback.

Reservations, Reorders, and Contact Information

A QR code can be used as a long term gateway for customers.

It could lead to:

• A restaurant reservation page
• A service booking page
• A contact page
• An online store
• A reorder page
• A membership program
• A coupon or special offer
• An online customer service page

So a QR code doesn't just need to target the first purchase – it can make it easy for customers to engage with your business again.

2. QR Codes Offer Great Help for Small Businesses

Knowing what it connects to is just the beginning.

What can a QR code actually do for my business?

It's biggest advantage is connecting limited physical space and much more digital information.

Provide More Information in Limited Space

All physical materials are limited in some way.

Product labels are just a few inches wide, right? Can you fit an entire product guide into your small thank-you card? Do packages have to decide what is important versus a long brand story?

Fitting all of it on the physical material makes for a cluttered, hard-to-read design.

Another possibility: QR code.

Customers wanting more info will be able to scan the code for a full product page.

It simplifies our physical design but provides customers with much more information.

Tell Your Brand Story Beyond the Package

While a package may introduce a product, not every story is told by it.

Many small businesses have unique stories surrounding their founder, product, creative process, or business philosophy. Those stories can give customers insight into what makes a brand different.

With a QR code you can connect your physical product with that story.

Your package draws in the customer; the QR code allows them to learn more.

This can be especially helpful for small businesses who would like to create a recognizable brand rather than focus solely on individual transactions.

Make It Easier for Customers to Leave Reviews

Customer reviews are useful for small businesses.

 Satisfied customers will often write a review — but it's hard work: find the business, find the right page, complete multiple steps...and then just forget about it.

With a QR code, this is easier:

Scan the code and you're on the review page.

It makes it easy to turn a good customer experience into customer feedback.

Create an Easy Path to the Next Purchase

The relationship of a customer with a business is not over once you have made one purchase.

Customers who like a product will be interested in buying it again or trying out other products by the same brand.

QR codes can help them do this easily.

Imagine a product package includes a QR code which leads to:

• A reorder page
• An online store
• New product launches
• Exclusive offers
• A membership program

Instead of asking customers to search for the brand again, the QR code provides a direct path back to the business.

Connect Offline Customers With Your Online Business

Especially useful are those who have physical stores, pop-up shops, trade shows, markets or any kind of offline event.

The interaction between two people in person might be just a couple of minutes long; however, a QR code helps you continue it online.

In this way, a QR code can act as a bridge between your offline and online business.

3. Where Can Small Businesses Use QR Codes?

QR codes don't need to go on big posters/signs

Often it's one of the most useful places for them: small physical things where they can give you a digital link and take up little space.

Here are some practical examples.