Common Mistakes Companies Make and How to Use Them Correctly
QR codes are a popular and effective marketing tool for companies. However, they often are misused, leading to missed opportunities and negative impacts on brand reputation. Here are some common mistakes we see companies make when using QR codes and provide tips on using them correctly.
QR Codes in Social Media, Email, and Websites
According to Patrick King, CEO of Imagine, a travel and tourism marketing agency in Manassas, many businesses and non-profits misuse QR codes. “The whole purpose of QR codes is to carry information from off their phone (print, TV) to within their phone,” says King. “Codes in email signatures, social media posts, and within websites do little more than complicate what would be sufficiently served by a link.”
While King admits that Instagram doesn’t allow links in their posts, he points out you can’t pull up Instagram on your phone, then scan a QR code in those posts. In those cases, he recommends you “Get a tool that allows multiple links in your bio” until they find a way to use your phone’s camera to scan your phone’s screen.
Best Uses with Prince William Living
When using QR codes in your marketing, we say YES on your using them on your print products! Magazine ads for print are a great way to use QR codes to push people for more information. But for online articles, online calendar listings, digital products, and email blasts use the page the QR code is designed to land on. Just remember, if they AREN’T on their phone, tablet, or computer to access your info, use a QR code to drive them there. If they ARE already on their phone, tablet, or computer, simply use a direct link so you don’t lose the traffic and reach your audience successfully!
Rebecca Barnes is the Publisher of Prince William Living magazine and Brides & Weddings magazine. She is a lifelong resident of Prince William County and a volunteer with OWL VFD. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, being a Grandma, visiting Walt Disney World, blogging at Sightseeing Sidekick, reading, and sleeping. If your business needs marketing advice, set up a call with Rebecca here: www.rebeccabarnes.media to discuss your marketing needs.
