The Power of QR Codes – 7 Ways It’s Changing China Marketing

Thinking about how to generate more leads on your marketing campaigns? Say hello to QR codes. The QR code was invented by the Japanese company Denso in 1994, but it has been a staple among Chinese consumers when ordering food, shopping online, booking flights, and more. In China, scanning QR codes is prevalent in any transaction — both offline and online.

What’s more, homegrown brands like video streaming app Bilibili has gone the extra mile with their advertising in the sky. They flew drones on Shanghai’s night sky, which formed a scannable QR code that viewers can scan using their mobile phones. Such a marketing campaign – to celebrate the anniversary of a role-playing game and launch a campaign, Princess Connect! Re: Dive, are one of the many creative ways that brands can use QR codes to their advantage.

[Image credit: RedUsers]

With that being said, here are the other six ways you can use QR codes on your local social media channels and marketing campaigns.

QR Codes: Increase Brand Awareness and Promote Your Services

QR codes provide information about a brand’s product or service. When a consumer scans the code, you can direct them to a link, which can be your landing page or homepage. For example, Royal Brunei’s is more than just a piece of code. It’s designed beautifully, which shows a little of its branding. Moreover, the design also promotes the country as a tourist destination. When you scan the code, it takes you to Royal Brunei’s official WeChat account.

Create Opt-in on Blogs and Articles

Brands that publish WeChat blogs and articles can add a QR code at the bottom that will encourage the reader to visit another site or your link to an eCommerce page to buy a product. Bloomberg’s approach to its Chinese audience is different compared to its English website that has a subscribe button. The WeChat blog has a call-to-action at the end with Bloomberg’s QR code that readers can scan to make sure they get updates on the next posts. The design isn’t fancy, but its simplicity is enough to encourage more scans as an opt-in.

Invitation for an Event or Virtual Shows

[Image credit: Carl Schmidt Sohn]

Another way to use QR codes, especially for those who are into hosting virtual and on-site events, is using it as an opt-in to invite them for attendance. When interested users scan the code, they can fill up the form for the event. Carl Schmidt Sohn, a brand known for its cutlery, kitchen utensils, knives, and cookware, designed this elegantly-looking digital invitation for the live broadcast program on the Canton Fair Online Platform. You can always mix and match with colors, graphics, texts, and QR codes to make an eye-catching advertisement for online invitations.

Offer Customers to Order and Receive Payments Directly

[Image Credit: (1) プーアル on Twitter: “KFCの無人販売車があった。 https://t.co/GyI661MlsR” / Twitter]

Some brands use QR codes to accept payments via WeChatPay and AliPay. Instead of publishing bank details, a simple QR code lets buyers pay seamlessly using their mobile phones. KFC has used technology to keep up with trends and thrive during the pandemic. The brand used autonomous vehicles so customers can order directly on the menu and pay it via QR code. This is just one of the many contactless payments that brands are embracing without human intervention.

Establish Branding and Engage With Customers

QR codes can also be used to create brand personality. Brands invest in high-quality designs of QR codes, which match the brand’s color and style. However, there are some brands that also go the extra mile by being more relevant, depending on the season and celebration. For example, Jaguar’s Mothers’ Day greeting shows feminity and yet the logo stays the same. With the right combination of colors on the greetings, the QR code is placed below an icon where a mother kisses her daughter.

Automatic Website Logins

Brands can also use QR codes to let users log in to their websites or eCommerce sites, whether on mobile devices or via desktop. Some sites also require users to log in on their desktop by authenticating logins via QR codes, making the sign-in more secure. For shoppers in China, it’s so easy to log in on Taobao by scanning the QR code using their mobile phones as long as their account in the Taobao mobile app is logged in and active as well.

Get Your QR Codes Now

QR codes are part of the day-to-day lives of Chinese netizens and consumers. From payments to booking tickets to marketing campaigns, QR codes are useful for brands and consumers. If you plan to get one for your company, let the LIMPID team know to help you get started.