For a long time, the QR Code was considered as a gadget by the general public. However, since its creation, this new generation barcode has been revolutionizing the practices of professionals. Invented by Masahiro Hara and Takayuki Nagaya, two former employees of Denso Wave, a subsidiary of Toyota, the QR Code was initially intended to increase the company’s logistical performance. Gradually, it also allowed a wider sharing of information through the dematerialization of advertisements, promotional offers or even restaurant cards. Now, it could encourage your customers to proactively leave their opinion from your points of sale.
Find out how to get Google reviews here.
Engaging, the QR Code is through the placement of a poster within your points of sale. When displayed prominently, it will attract the curiosity of your customers and encourage them to scan the associated QR Code with their smartphone. Guest Suite understands this and knows how crucial this new interaction channel is becoming for the new generation of consumers. That’s why our Review Management solution has integrated it into its offer. Through this article, you will discover how it works and its benefits for your e-reputation strategy.
What is a QR Code and how to use it?
An alternative to the classic barcode thanks to a larger information storage capacity, the QR Code is a two-dimensional barcode represented by a square image composed of black and white squares. To decode the data it contains, a user just has to approach a compatible reader, a smartphone for example, and the latter will reveal its content by scanning the code. A QR Code can contain different types of information such as a web address, text or a sequence of numbers that can, for example, trigger a call.
QR stands for Quick Response. Thus, the QR Code, also known as QR code in French or Flash Code, refers to a quick response code. And speed is precisely one of its key qualities. In a fraction of a second, a user can scan the content of his data via a reader. As we mentioned, the smartphone is part of the list of readers.
Techniques to scan a QR Code from a smartphone
The techniques differ depending on the operating system of your device to scan a QR Code:
- Apple: opening the Camera application is enough to trigger a QR Code scan. By framing your camera on the code, your smartphone automatically analyzes the information to be processed;
- Android: different techniques exist depending on the smartphone manufacturer, the easiest alternative is to download a dedicated application.
Which interaction practices between professionals and consumers?
If it was first thought for the organization of professionals, the QR Code has recently proved to be a great asset for interaction between companies and consumers.
Despite a timid breakthrough as a marketing communication tool in France before the COVID-19 pandemic, the channel was already trending in many sectors across Europe.
Examples of QR Codes use in European points of sale
Many sectors have taken advantage of the constant presence of smartphones among their owners, their customers. Thus, the tourism, retail and food industries have innovated to adapt to new consumer habits:
- Affixed on tables, the QR Code allows each customer to consult the restaurant menu;
- Presented on an electronic kiosk, the QR Code allows you to withdraw an order from a hypermarket or a fast-food company;
- Integrated into the label of a product presentation in store, the QR Code allows curious visitors to obtain more information, especially technical;
- Combined with posters on windows or even bus shelters, the QR Code allows consumers to obtain a promotional offer or to discover a product ad from a brand they like;
- Placed on the final invoice given to the customer, the QR Code allows the latter to share his experience thanks to the instant opening of a satisfaction questionnaire to be filled in;
- Etc.
A trend to adopt for collecting notices in the post-COVID recovery period
While for the past year and a half, professionals have been living with confinements, travel restrictions and remote interactions, the QR Code will certainly revitalize communication at the point of sale. Indeed, this interaction channel does not require any tactile action. The simple fact of bringing your smartphone close to a code is enough to trigger an interaction.
You could seize this great communication opportunity to collect many opinions and improve the experience of your points of sale to ensure the sustainability of your business.
By collecting and broadcasting many positive customer reviews, you will be able to reassure consumers who are hesitating but do not know you yet. By boosting your review collection through the use of practical and engaging QR codes, you will also act on your positions in search rankings on search engines such as Google or route generators such as Maps.
Running a sucessful restaurant requires you to understand your customer. The following resource can help you track relevant data for your restaurant.
Provided by Chowly – restaurant digital ordering system
