According to a recent article in Biz Report, "a survey conducted by research firm Russell Herder found that over half of repeat QR Code scanners only 'sometimes' feel they have received something of value for their efforts."
The article adds that when asked if they felt scanning a QR code was worthwhile, consumers responded:
• Always 3%
• Usually 28%
• Sometimes 52%
• Rarely 15%
• Never 2%
These findings don't necessarily indicate that QR codes don't work. They only highlight that some businesses are using them effectively while others are not. Even though QR codes are being used successfully in Europe, the technology is still new to retailers in the U.S. So, much like other forms of digital marketing, there is going to be a learning curve. Retailers just need to learn where the benefit threshold is for scanners, while showing patience as adoption of the technology attempts to takes root.
We have experimented with QR codes at Goodwill of Greater Washington (GGW). We post flyers in our stores with QR codes linking back to GGW's Foursquare site where users receive an exclusive discount. It's a faster way of accessing the Foursquare offer without having to log onto the site through traditional channels. While the scans have been limited so far, it doesn't cost us anything and provides an additional opportunity for customers to benefit from shopping at Goodwill.
We also recently added a QR code to a targeted direct mail piece that was delivered to several thousand college students living on the campus of a university near one of our new stores. The DM piece offered a substantial discount, and if the student scanned the QR code, the discount increased by 10%. The campaign dropped the first day of the fall semester to a technologically savvy crowd. We expected a high redemption rate. Instead it was negligable.
We have some theories as to why the effort wasn't effective, and we'll adapt the next time we use QR codes in a similar campaign.
We've not given up on QR codes yet since there is no cost as we experiment and learn, but we understand that initial results are not going to be as strong as we had originally hoped, even with a tech savvy audience looking for bargains.
I think the key words when experimenting with QR codes are, "patience", "understanding" and "value". Be patient with the ROI, and be sure to understand your audience while maximizing the expected value.
*The opinions shared on this blog are solely those of its author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Goodwill of Greater Washington or its affiliates.
The article adds that when asked if they felt scanning a QR code was worthwhile, consumers responded:• Always 3%
• Usually 28%
• Sometimes 52%
• Rarely 15%
• Never 2%
These findings don't necessarily indicate that QR codes don't work. They only highlight that some businesses are using them effectively while others are not. Even though QR codes are being used successfully in Europe, the technology is still new to retailers in the U.S. So, much like other forms of digital marketing, there is going to be a learning curve. Retailers just need to learn where the benefit threshold is for scanners, while showing patience as adoption of the technology attempts to takes root.
We have experimented with QR codes at Goodwill of Greater Washington (GGW). We post flyers in our stores with QR codes linking back to GGW's Foursquare site where users receive an exclusive discount. It's a faster way of accessing the Foursquare offer without having to log onto the site through traditional channels. While the scans have been limited so far, it doesn't cost us anything and provides an additional opportunity for customers to benefit from shopping at Goodwill.
We also recently added a QR code to a targeted direct mail piece that was delivered to several thousand college students living on the campus of a university near one of our new stores. The DM piece offered a substantial discount, and if the student scanned the QR code, the discount increased by 10%. The campaign dropped the first day of the fall semester to a technologically savvy crowd. We expected a high redemption rate. Instead it was negligable.
We have some theories as to why the effort wasn't effective, and we'll adapt the next time we use QR codes in a similar campaign.
We've not given up on QR codes yet since there is no cost as we experiment and learn, but we understand that initial results are not going to be as strong as we had originally hoped, even with a tech savvy audience looking for bargains.
I think the key words when experimenting with QR codes are, "patience", "understanding" and "value". Be patient with the ROI, and be sure to understand your audience while maximizing the expected value.
*The opinions shared on this blog are solely those of its author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Goodwill of Greater Washington or its affiliates.
