Communicate with Customers Through QR Codes

Want a portal to communicate with your customers? You don’t need magic—just the two-dimensional bar code, a square-shaped grid with a series of pixels, called a QR code (for Quick Response). It’s a great way for you to provide more product information to customers and customers to provide you feedback.

Originally developed by a Toyota subsidiary for tracking inventory, a QR code works like this: A barcode reader in the digital camera on your smartphone or tablet interprets the code, which can contain a link to view a webpage, send an SMS text message, or call a phone number. With static QR codes, you can track information about the number of times the code was scanned and whether the call to action was taken.

How can your company take advantage of this communication tool on your packaging?
Here are a few ideas on using QR codes:

• Include product details and information.
  Rather than cluttering up your package with lots of detail in small print—nutrition facts for a food product, for instance—you can provide all that information through the QR code and keep the package design clean and crisp. The information can be words in a PDF file or a video explaining how your product works, demonstrations, or showing how it will benefit someone who buys it.
• Boost your online social platforms. Scanning the code might take the customer to a page with links to all your social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter).
• Provide multi-lingual product manuals. This type of QR code detects the language set on the device used for scanning and then directs a scan to the appropriate language. For example, if a customer scanned the code on a phone set in the Chinese language, they would be redirected to a product manual in Chinese.
• Make customer feedback and support easier. The customer scans the code and is immediately sent to a landing page for feedback and customer reviews.
• Increase speed of product inventory and tracking. Converting serial numbers and other product information from text to a QR code solution allows easy inventory and tracking.

Remember these tips to make your QR codes on packaging successful:

• The right size—at least 2×2 centimeters (.79x.79 inches)—for an easy scan.
• Eye-catching. Add color so more people notice it. However, avoid monochromatic QR codes.
• Highly visible placement. That way customers will see it immediately. The QR code should be printed on a smooth surface; uneven surfaces on your packaging will crumple the image and can make it un-scannable.
• Right packaging material. If the material reflects too much light, it will interfere with the code’s scanning capabilities.
• Call to Action. Experts say a Call to Action in a QR code guarantees 80% more scans. And that’s what you want—a Quick Response.

Have questions or would like more information about incorporating QR codes into your package design? Contact Premier today.