The Resurgence of QR Codes

QR codes are transforming how we shop for, learn about, and view products. If this feels like deja vu, it’s because it’s happened before. QR codes first emerged in 1994. They hit the US hardest in the mid-2000’s, but their low adoption rate meant businesses didn’t utilize them.

The QR code revival started in earnest in 2021. In 2022 QR code usage was up more than 400% over the last year; codes were scanned more than 80 million times. They are back with a vengeance.

The frustration with QR codes is that it can be difficult to know which audience they’re intended for. If you scan one, will it take you to the company home page, information about the product, or shipping information? It’s a little like playing roulette each time you scan.

Customers don’t want to play QR code roulette.

A few companies made a steps in the right direction but fell short of providing the kind of richly dynamic information consumers crave. Customers don’t want repetition of what’s on the label — they can read that anytime — they want in depth information about their products.

To combat mistrust of QR codes, companies need the following three things:

1. Branded QR codes to attract consumers.
2. Strong calls to action to catch their attention.
3. Excellent content that rewards the consumer for engaging. In a world where content is everything, nutritional information and generic brand information just won’t cut it.

So, what do your customers want to know? How do you create personalized content for millions of customers while simultaneously making each client feel individually catered to? Watch for our next article.

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