QR Code Comeback: Virtualise Your Business Card (2024 Update)
Last update: 19 January 2024 at 04:06 pm
3.00/5Have you ever given your business card to a potential employer or client but never received a callback? It’s probably because the other person lost your card. But imagine if your business card had been a QR code instead. They would have done a quick QR code scan, and that was it. Your business details were saved on their phone.
QR codes have become one of the top options for mainstream payment methods in the past few months. Still, their potential as a business card or as a way of digitalizing the presence of your retail store (see our study on retail’s digital transformation) is just getting started.
You may have already seen a business card QR code, but in this blog post, we’re talking about taking away the card element once and for all and creating a digital business card by making it entirely a QR code.
Key Takeaways
QR Code Resurgence:
- After initial hype and a period of being declared “dead,” QR codes are experiencing a comeback thanks to increased mobile phone usage and built-in scanning capabilities.
- This article focuses on using QR codes to replace traditional business cards with a fully digital alternative.
Advantages of Digital Business Cards:
- Endless information: Store a wealth of information beyond contact details, like links to websites, portfolios, social media profiles, etc.
- Always with you: No more lost or forgotten cards. Your digital business card is readily available on your phone.
- Promotes you and your company: Showcase your brand and key information directly through the QR code.
- Creative playground: Get creative with the design and use of your QR code, making it a memorable conversation starter.
- Cost-effective: Ditch the printing and distribution costs of traditional cards.
Applications of QR Codes Beyond Business Cards:
- Retail: Provide product information, discounts, or loyalty programs via QR codes.
- Restaurants: Access menus, submit orders, or make payments.
- Healthcare: Share medical records or access appointment information.
Conclusion:
QR codes offer a convenient, versatile, cost-effective way to share information and connect. The rise of mobile technology has revitalized their potential, making them a valuable tool for businesses and individuals alike.
In addition to these key takeaways, the article provides tips on creating effective QR code designs and choosing the right platforms to host your digital business card.
Comeback of the QR Codes
When the QR code technology was first introduced in the market, it was one of the most promising business technologies ever. But then, even before it got big, the QR code was declared dead in 2013.
The technology came with a lot of complications. For one, it cannot be used without having several applications downloaded on the phone. Second, most apps needed to read the QR code were not user-friendly.
So when it was declared dead, people didn’t think of it ever coming back to life. It looked like nothing could save it until a solution was found. In 2017, QR code reading became all too simple, secure, and not to mention convenient for everyone to use.
Apple introduced its latest iPhone with a camera with the standard QR code scanner function. After that, all the other tech giants followed. Every cell phone ever made since then came with this technology.
Cell phones can now easily decipher QR codes simply by pointing their camera at them. The rest of the complicated work happens by itself with the aid of technological advancements.
But What is a QR Code?
QR codes are extremely helpful in establishing a link between what is happening offline and online. The cellphone technology people enjoy these days has come far from how it was first released in the market.
Now, people have access to the internet, and their mobile devices are personal QR code scanners with the QR reader directly in the phone’s camera. Because the smartphone is used practically by everyone for at least three hours a day, every business owner must think of it as an opportunity. Create a QR code for your business details, and you won’t miss this chance.
While most are focused on developing their online marketing campaign, there is something about offline marketing that needs careful attention. Offline marketing should never take the back seat, considering that not everything online is taken very well.
This makes developing a dynamic QR code generator very important because it blends both online and offline marketing very well. If you can make a QR code, your branding story will succeed.
Have you read the success story of Albert Heijn? It is a chain of supermarkets that uses Siri of Apple technology as its “virtual assistant.” Through its app, “Apple,” customers can do their grocery shopping by merely entering their list. It is fast and convenient and lends itself to people who live busy, fast-paced lives.
Another company uses the same QR technology to combine online and offline transactions. With their “IKEA PLACE” app, their customers can try outputting furniture pieces in living spaces through their augmented reality features. This way, customers can see if a particular piece fits well with the overall design of their own living space.
It offers clients an experience they will treasure for life. It’s like an opportunity to see what it would look like before making a purchase.
How does a QR code work? For as long as the smartphone makes it easy to generate a QR code, everyone living with the technology can enjoy its numerous benefits.
QR Code Business Card
The QR code technology has gone through a roller coaster ride, and the year 2021 promises to make the QR code technology a bit more advanced so that many countries across Europe and the United States can use it. It has already been used in many ways, shapes, and forms, and its final and most recent landing place is as a business card.
Too many times standard business cards have been lost because we shoved them at the very back of our wallet, washed our trousers with the card in the back pocket, or thought it was a blank piece of paper and threw it in the recycling bin.
Here are a few pros as to why you should invest in QR code business cards:
1. Endless information
The amount of information you could provide on a typical business card was limited. There was a set amount of space you could put information on, and additionally, the simpler the card was, the better. You were limited to your name, company name, company logo, position at the company, and one or two contact details.
With QR code business cards, you can add as much contact information as you wish with not only a website URL but also links to various social media platforms, exciting sites related to your company, and a few photos, and the person can access everything it a simple click rather than having to type all the information in from the traditional card. They can save your contact details directly into their phone, where they are saved forever.
2. It’s always with you
Let’s be honest: you bring your phone everywhere with you. If you have been in business for a long time, you may have the automatic instinct to bring business cards around with you, but it has surely happened that one day, you run out and miss out on a potential collaboration.
With a QR code business card, you’re almost guaranteed to always have it with you! You’ll never miss another opportunity!
3. It promotes you and your company
Usually, a business card promotes you and your position at your company. Unless you have a URL to your company’s website, the person receiving your card does not get to look into your company.
A virtual business card is a direct marketing tool for you and your business. Although the person scanning your code may not find any potential business with you directly, they may find that your company has something else to offer that they may be interested in.
4. Creative playground
If you don’t like the way your card looks or you have more information you would like to add on to your business card, you no longer have to throw out all the old ones or wait for them to run out before having to purchase and print new ones. With a QR code business card, you can immediately change your business card design, including the provided information, picture, e-mail, color…anything.
5. Saving money
No more spending money on printing business cards for the whole company. Anyone with a smartphone can set up their business card in no time.
Every business owner must think of this new form of networking as a new opportunity. It can work to their advantage in more ways than they could ever think of.
To set up your own QR code business card, you can either work with a qualified agency in app development, or with websites such as Github and QR Code Generator that work as free QR code generators with a predetermined template.
The QR Code in its Various Forms and Sectors
Despite the misjudged status of the QR code back in 2013, it has come back to life, ready to help businesses conquer the market. Using the QR code for business is cheap, yet it is one of the most dynamic.
The advantages of this technology are bountiful with a larger capacity than the traditional bar code. Did you know it has a built-in error system that ensures the damaged code can still be recreated and reused?
If unsure if the QR code is worth the investment, read along and discover how it can change the future. Several industries will benefit from developing their own QR code. Here are some of them in a list:
In Retail
By using QR codes, visitors to your shop are easily lured into learning more about your business through your website. Not only does it generate organic traffic, but it also makes transactions and purchases smoother.
Who wouldn’t want to scan the QR code when you put it in the call to action? Scanning the company’s QR code directs the client to a website where she can enjoy even more items for sale.
The same QR code technology can be used to reach out and provide simplified yet improved customer service. By simply scanning the QR code, businesses can choose which standardized message should be sent to their customers via text or email. This will create a good image for the company because customers will think you are professional.
With a simple button press, you can send out the messages, which would be sufficient. The primary purpose of the QR code is to save business owners some time so that they can take care of other concerns. In this case, it has become a great success.
QR codes for the retail industry have also become an easy way to distribute promotions. Hand out coupons to attract more consumers by simply adding them to the slogan. In no time, the customer base will expand, and more people will become curious about your business.
Collecting Customer Data through QR Code
Collecting customer data is one of the most important aspects of a retail business. Through these customer forms, you can generate a list for your newsletter. With your QR code, you can generate leads without asking your customers to extend extra effort from their end to answer survey forms and the like.
If you want to get customer feedback, you may add it to your QR code, and instantly, you can ask for it from them at any given time. All these can help enrich the shopping experience for every customer, and that’s what the QR code is good for.
In 2017, a retail brand, Cath Kidston, partnered with Pinterest to elevate their clients’ experience. The goal was to redirect clients to a Pinterest board when scanning the QR code. It will show them inspirational visions of how and when the garment can be worn.
The experience has greatly improved for the client, which became one of the brand’s highlights. Not only did they promote brand awareness, but they could enter into a dialogue with the customers. Among all the retail stores in the UK, Cath Kidston was the first to launch it, and it was a blast for the brand.
In Restaurants
With the QR code technology, restaurants will not only attract new customers. They will also be able to establish a strong customer return. Because the behavioral patterns of restaurant customers are quite unpredictable because they are emotionally bound, it has become quite a challenge to make customers come back for more.
Luckily, this is where the QR code proves to be the most helpful. The codes can influence the way their consumers think. In the process, it could make consumers think and reconsider returning to the food and the dining experience.
If you offer varying menus at different times, then it is best to use the QR codes. The good thing about this technology is that you can fully adjust the menu and present it to your clients whenever possible. This way, you can stay informed of the dishes you serve, making it interesting for your clients to come back.
Another excellent use of the QR code is approaching it on different days. It would be like having a different theme every day. It would be something like Taco Tuesday. Restaurants could also launch something like a happy hour, but it’s only happening online.
Give exceptional discounts through the QR code and attract more clients to come and dine in, if not consider a takeout. Make sure to carefully consider the actions you will take to match the kind of identity you want for your restaurant.
At this point, the best thing to do is to put all the suggestions to improve your restaurant marketing in the spotlight. Remember that these are the dishes that the clients want, and that is the reason why they will keep on coming back.
In Healthcare
Did you think you will be able to come across QR codes in the healthcare industry? How would you like it if you went to the hospital and wanted to ask about the procedure your doctor recommended you to get, and you could gain access to the information by simply scanning a QR code?
Another way of positively using the QR application in the healthcare industry is for people suffering from flu or other minor ailments to scan the QR code and get treatment recommendations or medical advice they need.
In this way, doctors would be able to focus their attention on patients in need of more serious healthcare. More importantly, the QR codes make it so much easier to prepare patient records. They would be accessible anytime the doctors need access to them.
You can wear a wristband with the QR code when you see the doctor. They will scan it and gain access to your whole patient records and won’t need to take time to find a specific laboratory report that they need.
Another useful application of the QR code for the healthcare industry is the operation of medical equipment. The QR code is the perfect solution. Doctors won’t need to find the machine manual to solve its existing defect.
Not only does it benefit the patient, but it could improve the entire healthcare system, too. It will raise the bar level regarding the health services provided.
QR codes will become useful not only for properly handling patient records but will also be indispensable for registering the machines and medicines used for healthcare.
