How to Use QR Codes for Business Effectively

If you are going to use QR codes for business, you need to have a plan for using QR code marketing effectively. I would suggest that you have a specific plan about where you are going to direct prospective customers who scan the QR codes with their smart phones to get the maximum benefit from this type of marketing effort. 

A number of companies use their QR codes in advertising to direct customers to their website, but this is not the only way you can put the special barcodes to good use. They can also be used to direct customers to your business Facebook or twitter page. Depending on where the QR codes are placed, I can see that it may make sense to link to Google maps so that customers can find your brick and mortar location quickly and easily.

If you want to use your QR codes to generate sales quickly, consider linking them to a PayPal Buy Now button. You may want to consider this strategy if the QR code advertising appears on your website or another location where it is likely to be seen by motivated buyers.

Another interesting innovation for QR codes is that when the code is scanned, a text message is opened on the customer’s cell phone, which is ready to forward to a number of his or her choice. These handy codes can also be used to provide customers with downloadable mobile coupons, a link to a video or any other location online. With this variety of applications, QR codes can be an important part of your business mobile engagement platform.

Luxury Retailers Now Offering Mobile Coupons to Customers

I was interested to discover recently that luxury retailers such as Neiman Marcus are embracing mobile marketing and changing the way they attract customers. These companies are offering mobile coupons and mobile apps campaigns, and the results of this strategy are proving effective for them.

NM Service App

For example, Neiman Marcus has recently introduced a program called NM Service. Customers accessing this pilot program can find out when their favorite sales clerks will be working. This mobile app for business also allows customers to schedule an appointment with a specific salesperson or pick out the items they are most interested in seeing when they arrive at the store.

I can see that this mobile marketing strategy would be an effective one to engage buyers and foster loyalty with a company's existing customer base. The app reaches out to customers where they are and offers them the convenience of dealing with staff members with whom they have already developed a relationship. This mobile engagement platform also allows busy consumers to focus on the types of items they are most interested in when they visit the store's brick and mortar location.

Customers who are shopping at luxury retail establishments have a certain expectation of the level of service they are going to receive when they go shopping. Being able to arrange an appointment in advance at the store with someone they know is going to be an attractive feature for customers and being able to arrange to view a set product line is even more likely to make these customers feel special.

Mobile Websites Are Becoming a Necessity for Retailers

Retailers who want to remain competitive must invest the resources necessary to make sure that they have a good mobile website. I see this as the big shopping development of the future. Consumers are embracing the idea of using a mobile device for shopping like never before.

As this technology improves, I think we can expect to see the numbers continue to rise over time. In the past, it was important for businesses to have an online presence using keywords that would attract potential customers. While that is still the case, now company websites also need to be optimized for mobile users.

Retailers who are slow to get out of this particular gate will find that they are missing a big piece of the potential revenue pie. With many consumers focusing on getting the best deal for products they are buying, I can see them spending some time using a tablet or smart phone to shop around before they set foot in the store. As more people become comfortable with online shopping, busy consumers are more likely to simply look for products electronically rather than taking the time to visit a brick-and-mortar store.

I know that businesses are competing for the same dollars from their customer base no matter how they choose to shop. The brands that will be left standing 12 months from now will be the ones that have taken the steps necessary to optimize their sites for mobile consumers.