The QR code, short for Quick Response code, was invented in 1984 by the Denso Corporation of Japan as a way of overcoming the limitations of barcodes. They gained importance after the Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota incorporated the code in their manufacturing process as a means of identifying and tracking automotive parts.
Although QR codes were created to keep track of product inventory, QR scan codes are serving more useful purposes than ever.
If you’ve ventured out to one of your favorite restaurants lately, there’s a good chance that you’ve had to pull out your phone and scan a QR code to pull up the restaurant’s menu so you can see it on your phone’s screen, eliminating germs from physical menus.
Churches are also finding QR codes to help them connect with people watching church at home. Many churches are putting QR codes on the screen during their online church services so people can take a picture of it with their phone, and when it opens, it links them to the church’s website to provide them with information about the church and available groups and activities.
QR Codes and Branding
There are also many applications for QR codes for businesses. In a world where consumers see thousands of messages each week, companies need to be more creative than ever to gain consumer’s trust and attention. Branding for businesses has become more important than ever.
Popular furniture store IKEA introduced faster check-outs for their customers with QR codes. The codes are placed on furniture and boxes, and customers simply scan the codes and can check-out without having to carry large items to the cash register. They then use the IKEA app to schedule delivery of large pieces of furniture. It helps keep the company’s brand top-of-mind with their faithful following of younger consumers.
Soft drink manufacturer Coca Cola wasn’t going to be left behind in the QR code campaign initiatives. They brought about a new perspective to QR codes when they embedded them in product packaging with new content that delivered unique experiences to customers each time they scanned the QR codes. Smart branding and a great way to drive repeat sales.
QR Codes and Your Business
QR codes today are a game-changing technique of combining physical packaging and the digital business world. QR code-based campaigns are a gateway for directing traffic generated offline to gain online visibility, and they provide a wide range of applications for increasing your company’s ROI.
For example, with the growing awareness of QR codes and the ever-increasing fondness of millennials towards them, the number of mobile devices accessing coupons through QR codes is expected to reach 1 billion by the year 2022.
At Korpack, we help our customers build brand awareness through creative packaging. Talk with us today about using the packaging of your product to deliver unique messages to your customers.
