How to get more scans on your QR Code?

Why Won’t Anyone Scan my QR Code? This thought haunts many. In fact, there are many marketers spending day and night on perfecting their campaigns, yet they just won’t get those scans they need. If you’re here because you’re one of them, then don’t worry! And know that it’s not your fault. Let’s face it, your fancy black-and-white squares are getting about as much attention as a mime at a heavy metal concert.

There are many articles online about why you should incorporate QR codes in your ad campaigns. But what if no one is scanning your QR codes? And why would they? When was the last time you scanned a QR on a package yourself?

You’re not alone in the “my QR code is being ignored” club. But how can you fix that? In this blog, you’ll learn some unknown tricks to attract more scans.

The Truth About QR Codes

Before we directly jump into the solutions, let’s address the elephant in the room: QR codes actually aren’t as new a technology as many perceive them to be. It is important to understand what are those few things going off, making a whole black and white weird looking square with patterns go unnoticed? The thing is QR codes have been around longer than some of your favourite TikTok influencers have been alive!

But here’s the thing – while everyone and their grandmother learned to scan QR codes during the pandemic (thanks, to social distancing), getting people to actually WANT to scan your code is a whole different ball game.

4 Game-Changing Strategies to Make Your QR Code Irresistibly Scannable

1. You need to give Your QR Code a Makeover 💅

QR codes go unnoticed because they all appear the same to the human eye!

Picture this: You see a black and white square pattern on every poster or package. What will make you go “oh wow so cool, it’s the 17th time I am seeing an identical QR, let me go scan it.” Nothing right? Your QR code needs a transformation by Miranda Priestly herself!

Here’s what you can do:

Add colors to your lifeless QR code and keep the contrast high – we want it pretty and bright.
Incorporate your logo in the center.
Use rounded corners instead of sharp edges just like the Instagram Logo.
Add a gradient effect that matches your brand aesthetic.

Pro tip: Just like you wouldn’t wear a tuxedo to the beach, make sure your QR code design matches its environment. A QR code on a subway ad needs different styling than one on a wedding invitation! Remember it’s all about matching the vibes.

2. Make the Value Proposition Crystal Clear 💎

You know what’s worse than an ugly or boring QR code? A mysterious one with a BAD HOOK. If your QR code is giving off more “sketchy link in a spam email” vibes than “must-scan-this-right-now” energy, we’ve got a problem.

Try these attention-grabbing hooks:

Scan for 20% off your next purchase!
Unlock exclusive content 🔓
Scan to win a free coffee ☕
Take a selfie with our AR filter 🤳
Join the secret menu club 🍔

Remember: People are like cats – they need to know there’s something worthwhile in the box before they’ll jump in! People hold their pee when they’re in bed—you think they’ll scan your QR code if it’s not for something exciting?

3. Location, Location, Location!

You wouldn’t put a “Watch Your Step” sign AFTER the stairs, right? The same logic applies to QR code placement. Think about where your audience will be when they’re most likely to scan:

Place codes at eye level (unless you want people doing yoga to scan them)
Ensure there’s good lighting (no one’s pulling out their phone flashlight for your code)
Make them big enough to scan from a comfortable distance
Add them where people naturally wait (elevator banks, checkout lines, bathroom stalls – yes, really!)
Consider the scanning environment (moving subway? maybe not. Coffee shop table? perfect!)

4. Create FOMO-Inducing Experiences

Nothing motivates humans quite like the fear of missing out. Make your QR code the gateway to exclusive experiences that people can’t resist.

If you’re a marketer reading this blog, you’ll know this trick that brands use – Creating a fake scarcity even though there’s a whole bunch of inventory stocked. For example: only a few pieces left, used by many big brands and more . This tricks customers into thinking that everyone is buying this product hence they should too!

Use these hooks for this trick:

Time-sensitive offers – “Scan in the next 24 hours for double points!”
Limited quantity deals – “First 100 scanners get…”
Location-specific content – “Unlock the secret menu available only at this location”
Interactive experiences – “Join our live AR event happening now!”
Progressive rewards – “Scan 5 times this month for VIP status”

Using these four tricks will surely bring some change to your QR scanning rate.

Pro tip for QR code users: Test, Track, and Optimize 📊

Here’s where we get a bit nerdy (in a cool way). Like any good marketing strategy, your QR code campaign needs data. Here are some ways you can actually benefit by using QR Code Developer and collect crucial data that would help you grow your business:

Use different codes for different locations/purposes to know where your products are getting purchased more. If sales are not from an online platform, this trick can help you collect demographic data that will help you skyrocket your sales.
Track scanning patterns such as time of day, location, and conversion rates.
A/B test different designs and call-to-action hooks. See which hook gets you more scans by using different QR codes.
Collect feedback from users who’ve scanned your QR. The customer’s feedback will directly help you grow your business.

Final Thoughts

In a world where attention spans are shorter than a TikTok video, your QR code needs to work harder than ever to get noticed. But with these strategies, you’re well on your way to creating QR codes that people will actually WANT to scan.

And hey, if all else fails, you can always stand next to your QR code doing the Macarena – though we can’t guarantee that’ll increase scanning, it’ll definitely get attention! 😉

Want more marketing tips and tricks? Share this article with your network and let’s make the world a more scannable place, one QR code at a time!

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How to get more scans on your QR Code?​

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