There’s been a buzz about social media marketing because of the millions of potential customers you can find on social platforms. But in reality, without the know-how, you’ll find that it’s quite difficult to reach potential clients on these platforms. Instagram, particularly, can be a tough nut to crack.
Fortunately, there are ways to take your Instagram marketing game to another level. One of the ways is through Instagram QR codes. These codes allow you to create a seamless experience for your audience. They provide a quick and easy way for them to access your social media content.
If you’re wondering what that means for your brand, read on to learn all about Instagram QR codes. You’ll also learn how you can use them to improve your marketing efforts and, ultimately, grow your brand.
Understanding Instagram QR Codes
Before incorporating QR codes for marketing, you must have a proper understanding of what they are and how they work. We’ll explore the basics of QR codes to help you understand their potential for growing your brand.
- What Are Instagram QR Codes?
QR codes, or Quick Response codes, are square-shaped codes that smartphones can scan to access information or websites. An Instagram QR code is a unique, scannable bar code. It allows users to quickly access a specific Instagram profile or content without the need to search for it manually.
See what an IG QR code looks like on a business card:
Sharing the business card with potential followers will help Glory Collective improve its social media marketing game. This is because the code takes out the hassle of searching Instagram handles. These codes are also customizable; you can change their appearance to fit your brand’s aesthetics.
- How Instagram QR Codes work
Instagram QR codes provide a scannable code that allows users to quickly and easily access specific Instagram profiles, feed posts, or locations. This makes it a particularly useful resource when it comes to Instagram marketing for small businesses or large corporations. It can even be useful for Instagram marketing for non-profits and charities.
When people scan your Instagram QR code using their smartphone’s camera, they are instantly directed to your business’s Instagram account or a specific post. Instagram QR codes don’t expire. So, you can add them to your online and offline marketing materials, like your digital business card and design flyers.
It’s also worth noting that these codes are editable, which means that you can update the content that the code directs users to at any time. This feature makes them a versatile tool for businesses to use in their marketing campaigns.
However, whether or not an Instagram QR code is editable depends on the type of code.
- Types of Instagram QR Codes
When it comes to Instagram QR codes, there are two main types: static and dynamic QR codes. Each type has its unique benefits and use cases.
- Static Instagram QR Codes: They are fixed and cannot be edited once created. They are designed to direct users to a specific piece of content or a specific URL. Static QR codes are ideal for long-term marketing campaigns. Note that when a user scans a static QR code, it takes them to the web version of Instagram rather than the mobile app.
- Dynamic Instagram QR codes: Dynamic QR codes, on the other hand, are editable and can be updated at any time. They are designed to provide businesses with more flexibility and customization options. They can change the content that the QR code directs users to over time. Dynamic QR codes are ideal if you want to promote time-sensitive content or track the performance of your QR codes in real time. Unlike static codes, they take users directly to the app.
- How to Create Instagram QR Codes
Creating Instagram QR codes is a relatively simple process that you can do through the Instagram app. Here are the steps to follow:
- Open the Instagram app on your mobile device
- Go to your profile and click on the three lines in the top-right corner
- Click on “QR Code” from the menu
- Customize your QR Code by going through the color options to find one that best matches your brand.
- Lastly, screenshot the QR code or share using the share icon:
Note that you can use third-party QR code generators to generate different code options and aesthetics. You can even analyze the scan locations of these QR codes to improve global campaigns.
Benefits of Using Instagram QR Codes for Brand Growth
Instagram QR codes are valuable tools in your marketing campaigns. They help increase your follower count and build your online community. Here are some specific benefits of using Instagram QR codes:
- Convenience
Users can conveniently scan your QR code with their camera and be directed to the content you want them to see.
This ease of use can encourage users to engage with your brand more often. It can help you increase your following and grow your brand’s online presence.
- Increased Reach
Incorporating Instagram scannable bar codes in your social media marketing campaign is an effective way to reach more people from other social channels, such as Facebook.
Additionally, Instagram QR codes are effective for cross-promotions. For example, you can incorporate the codes in your email marketing to channel your email subscribers to your Instagram customer base or community.
- Improved User Experience
Instagram QR codes can help improve user experience because, firstly, they are easy to use. Secondly, you can use them to seamlessly direct users to their desired content.
- Increased Engagement
Instagram QR codes can help increase engagement with your content. It provides an easy and convenient way for users to access that content. So, they can access the content and engage with it several times in a day.
By increasing engagement, you can build more loyal customers over time.
- Measurable Results
You can track the number of clicks or scans you receive from Instagram QR codes. You can use this information to optimize your brand’s content or marketing strategy.
Additionally, you can get information on metrics like conversions, engagement rates, and attribution to measure the impact of your code campaigns.
Strategies for Using Instagram QR Codes to Grow Your Brand
Knowing what QR codes are is not enough. To make the most of them for your brand growth, you must create a strategy. Here are three proven strategies that can help you get the most out of your Instagram QR code campaigns.
Use Instagram QR Codes to Promote Products and Services
There are two basic ways you can promote your products and services using Instagram QR codes. These include:
- Use Instagram QR Codes to Link to Product Pages
When you link your Instagram QR code directly to your product page, you can offer customers a quick and easy way to make a purchase without having to leave the Instagram app.
For example, a clothing retailer could include a QR code in a post about a new line of products. The code would then direct customers to the product page. This is where they could learn more about the product and make a purchase.
The good news about Instagram QR codes is that they’re flexible. You can use it in B2B, B2C, ecommerce or SaaS marketing.
- Use Instagram QR Codes for In-store Promotions
Placing Instagram QR codes in-store can help incentivize customers to make purchases while building brand loyalty and engagement.
For example, a fashion retailer could place QR codes on signage throughout the store that link to a coupon for 10% off the customer’s purchase. If people know they can save a lot more on purchases when they visit your store, they’ll want to visit more often.
Use Instagram QR Codes to Build a Strong Community
A strong community is essential to your business’s growth because it can help to build brand awareness, increase customer loyalty, and drive sales. Using Instagram QR codes, here’s how you can build a strong community online:
- Use Instagram QR Codes to Encourage User-Generated Content
You can do this in two steps. Firstly, make a custom QR code for a post that prompts your followers to create and share their own content related to your brand. Then, make a QR code for any post your followers make about your brand.
- Use Instagram QR Codes to Promote User Engagement
One way to promote user engagement is to create a poll or survey that is specific to your brand and product. Then, use your QR code to direct your followers to the post where they can participate. This will help you increase the level of interaction between your brand and followers.
Use Instagram QR Codes to Drive Traffic to Your Website
Driving website traffic is vital for lead generation, increased visibility, and more revenue. Here’s how you can drive website traffic with Instagram QR codes:
- Use Instagram QR Codes to Promote Landing Pages
Using a QR code generator, you can link a landing page to your QR code. The code you create will direct users to a page specifically designed to convert them into customers—whether that’s through a special offer, sign-up form, or other call-to-action.
- Use Instagram QR Codes to Promote Blog Posts
When you create a blog post using a content generator, for example, you can create a QR code that leads to the blog post on your website and share it on your Instagram account. This allows your followers to easily access your blog content without searching for it.
Best Practices for Maximizing the Effectiveness of Instagram QR Codes
QR codes are fast gaining traction worldwide. Take advantage of their efficacy to grow your brand on Instagram. To maximize your Instagram QR codes campaigns, here are some tips:
Use Attractive and Clear Visuals
When designing an Instagram QR code for a post, it’s important to use high-quality images and graphics that are relevant to the campaign or message.
This can include using bright colors, bold typography, and eye-catching designs. Check out this example from SkinON:
Note that the copy is just as important. Make sure you tell your audience what exactly you want them to do with the code.
Make it Easy to Scan QR Code
It’s important to ensure that the QR code itself is clear and easy to scan. This means avoiding cluttered or busy designs. Also, make sure the QR code is large enough to be easily scanned by a mobile device.
Another important factor is the placement of the QR code. It should be prominently displayed and positioned in a way that is easy for users to scan.
For example, if the QR code is printed on a physical object like a flyer or brochure, it should be placed in a location that is easily visible and accessible to the user. Check out the example below:
A QR code that is difficult to scan can frustrate users and lead to a poor user experience. This can ultimately impact the effectiveness of your campaign.
Offer Exclusive Rewards for Scanning QR Code
When you offer a tangible reward, such as a discount or a special promotion, you motivate users to scan your QR code and take the desired action.
To make the most of this strategy, choose rewards that are relevant to your target audience and your brand. For example, if you’re a styling company, offer a free service for new customers who scan the code.
See how this barber shop did this in their campaign below:
This can help you boost sales and build brand awareness.
Utilize Influencer Marketing
Partnering with relevant influencers can help you tap into their audience. It can help you leverage their influence to drive more traffic and engagement to your campaign.
Once you’ve identified the right influencers to work with (they should work in your niche, for one), ask them to produce content you can create an Instagram QR code campaign for. They can then put up the code in their other content and encourage fans to scan. This will help you win over new followers.
Track and Analyze Results
Tracking and analyzing your Instagram QR code campaign results is an essential step to optimizing your marketing strategy. You can identify areas for improvement and make changes to increase your campaign’s reach, engagement, and conversions.
For instance, are there scans of your Instagram QR code? If there are only a few, you might want to tweak your accompanying QR code copy.
Instagram Insights and QR code tracking tools like Beaconstac and QRtrack.app can help you analyze your Instagram QR code campaign results.
How to Use Instagram QR Codes
Instagram QR codes are potent marketing tools. Maximize the effectiveness of your Instagram QR code campaigns by using clear, attractive visuals, offering exclusive rewards, and utilizing influencer marketing.
In addition, linking to product pages, landing pages, and blog posts can help drive website traffic and promote user engagement. It’s also important to track and analyze your results to continually improve your strategy.
By implementing these strategies, you can grow your brand in a meaningful way.