Using Custom QR Codes to Promote Your Business
One of the unique features of pbSmart™ Codes is the ability to create “Custom QR Codes” or “designer QR codes”, which have an image added into the QR code. Custom QR Codes are available with pbSmart Codes versions “Standard” and above. To learn more, visit the pbSmart Codes plans and pricing page.
This article explains the many different ways you can use Custom QR Codes to promote your business. For step-by-step instructions on how to create Custom QR Codes, see our related article: How to Create a Custom QR Code.
The Basics of Custom QR Codes
Custom QR Codes or designer QR codes behave exactly like regular QR Codes and can be scanned with regular QR code scanning software like Pitney Bowes’ QR code reader, ScanShot. When adding an image to your Custom QR Code, pbSmart Codes offers a great deal of design flexibility. You can upload your own image or choose one from the available images that come with pbSmart Codes. You can also choose a number of locations to place your image within the QR code pattern. As with all QR Codes created in pbSmart™ Codes, you can also adjust the color of the pattern itself using the color palette tool.This is an example of a Custom QR Code with an image overlay in the bottom right:
The Many Uses of Custom QR Codes
The ability to add an image to your QR code opens up many creative possibilities for your QR campaign. Custom QR Codes can be used to: reinforce your company or product branding; to provide a preview of what customers will get when they scan your QR code; and to provide a call-to-action or incentive to scan the QR code. Here are some examples to inspire your campaign: Branding:
In the right context, a company logo or other brand icon can be the perfect image to use in your Custom QR Code. By doing this you will be creating a Branded QR code, a specific type of Custom QR code. For example, if you are at a trade show or public market, you can use a company logo on your QR code to tell customers that they can learn more about your company by scanning your code. This option is also very effective in shopping malls or on outdoor advertising where many QR codes could be competing for customer attention. The presence of your company branding helps your QR code stand out and encourages more customers to scan it. The following Custom QR Codes use logos to reinforce company branding:
Call-to-Action Text:
A compelling call to action is a critical component of a successful QR code campaign, and recent studies have shown that discounts and other offers are what customers want most in QR code campaigns. If you are going to promote a discount, why not give it maximum flair? Custom QR codes allow you to do just that: instead of standard text for your call-to-action, pbSmart Codes gives you total creative freedom by allowing you to use an image. With images, you can use any font you like and combine illustrations and photos with your call-to-action text to maximize the impact of your offer. The following Custom QR Codes use images for the call-to-action text to encourage customers to scan the code:
Previews:
With QR Codes, it is definitely the case that "an image is worth a thousand words." If you are trying to get customers to scan your code, nothing works quite as well as an image of what customers will get when they scan your QR code, or as a hint of what information it offers. You can use Custom QR Codes to provide a preview image of: the giveaway item that customers will receive; the product you are providing information for; or even a photo of yourself if you are promoting an event.
These are just a few examples to inspire you, but as you can see, Custom QR Codes offer endless opportunities for original and effective QR campaigns. How will you use them?