Council Post: 15 Brilliant Ways To Leverage QR Codes

“Quick response” or QR codes have been around since the 1990s. They’ve gained popularity since the dawn of the smartphone, but the use of QR codes by businesses has skyrocketed recently in the wake of Covid-19.

During these socially distanced times, businesses like restaurants and retailers are using QR codes to give customers contactless access to important information like menus and service options. For more insights on the potential of this technology, we asked the members of Forbes Business Council for their advice. Below they shared 15 ways to leverage QR codes for your business.

1. Restaurant Menus

Menus seem to be the biggest use of the QR code. The problem is older people don’t necessarily know how to access these menus and feel pressured at restaurants. If given the information ahead of time, they could feel more at ease. – Sari Cicurel, Sari M. Cicurel

2. Direct Response Video

As the IoT integrates into our business, leveraging QR codes as a method of direct connection to companies enables an interactive, meaningful experience for consumers. Newer technologies beyond QR offer stronger enhancement for personalization. DRV (direct response video code) readers like Scanit, amplify traditional QR technology and create an entirely new way to offer contactless experiences. – Andrew Sobko, CDL1000

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3. Office Cleaning Logs And Requests

At Lane, what we have found is that QR codes have really accelerated the relationship between the physical and digital experiences we create. One example of this is ensuring we communicate and create a safe environment for employees using our spaces. They can scan any QR codes within the space to see cleaning logs or activate a workflow to request a cleaning. – Kofi Gyekye , Lane 

4. Sales Leads Capturing

Naturally, whenever you are sharing repetitive information, QR codes work. This can include menus, brochures, etc. I think, however, the most effective use is when it is used to capture sales leads. Even more effective is when it is used to establish direct and immediate communication like an initial a video call. – Sid Mohasseb, Venture Farm

5. Online Networking

QR codes can be an effective mechanism during online networking meetings as a part of a virtual background. This enables attendees on the other side of the screen to easily scan the code and be directed to either a website or a company/personal LinkedIn account. – Ilya Lipovich, Cider

6. Quick Access To Healthcare Information

QR codes are quickly becoming the norm in a lot of fields. In medicine, the possibilities are virtually endless, from scanning a QR code to up pick one’s prescription to using one for accessing a patient’s entire medical history. – Dawn Brown, MD, ADHD Wellness Center PLLC

7. Ticket Scanning

These days, everyone is looking for ways to go touchless in their business processes. By applying some pretty simple QR scanning tech with industrial handhelds, our sister company is helping venues such as museums, concert houses and sports arenas scan the tickets of incoming guests. This takes the place of conventional attendants that used to handle tickets. – Ryan Gray, SGW Designworks

8. Direct Mail Campaign Tracking

QR codes are effective in any mail campaigns to determine the effectiveness of your marketing. You can add a QR code inside your mail so that when the recipient opens the envelope, they can scan the code to learn more. They can visit a page with a tracking code on it where you get more space to add engaging marketing content. You can clearly see who your marketing is working for and who is not interested. – Salvador Ordorica, The Spanish Group LLC

9. More Efficient Payment Processes

In this day and age, the more “touch-free” technology you can use, the better! Compound that with technology that speeds up historically slow processes such as payments and you have yourself a win-win. Leverage that to be able to give customers convenience and safety while you maximizing your efficiency in helping clients. – Adam Jacobs, Fortis Fitness & YOGALUX

10. Album Releases

We collaborate with a lot of artists and they love for their music to be heard. We used to include CDs and flash drives, but realized the cost was high and not everybody had the hardware to take advantage of them. Instead, we leveraged QR codes for album releases. It saves money, makes the music more accessible and ultimately, makes the artists happy! – Harrison Baum, Daily High Club

11. Printed Materials Replacement

QR codes are simply a cool way to connect and engage your audience. This is by far my most favorite marketing tool, mainly because it saves us more money in printing. In healthcare, we need to print a bunch of brochures and educational materials. Thanks to this invention, we no longer need papers, and it also creates a sense of curiosity about what’s behind it so you can really make it fun. – Abigail Aboitiz, 247 Health Solution LLC

12. Staff ID Cards

Leverage QR codes on your staff’s swipe cards/ID badges as an “always handy” business card. We use qr-code-generator.com. If your staff needs to share their contact card with someone, they can easily import the contact by taking a photo. – Bryan Jakovcic, Fusion Health

13. Enhanced Customer Experiences Via Packaging

Include a QR code on your packaging. You can encourage consumers to come back for a special VIP repurchasing offer, leave a review or follow you on social media depending on what your current marketing priorities are. – Caitlin Strempel, Rising Ranks Digital

14. 3D Augmented Reality Experiences

Something that hasn’t been done a lot with QR codes is augmented reality. With a phone camera, a user can scan a QR code and up pops additional 3D assets that can be used for brand messaging, marketing, promotions and more. – Lorne Fade, VR Vision

15. Customer Reviews Streamlining

Many consumers are now reading online reviews for local businesses. QR codes can be used to gently nudge clients or visitors without any human intervention whatsoever to your preferred review platform. The best review platform to direct users to in my opinion would be Google. – Shaz Memon, Digimax Dental