Tools and tips for creating an effective QR code campaign.
Whether you’re paying for parking, perusing a menu, or looking at a map to guide you around your local museum, QR codes are everywhere. They take you from the physical world to digital environments in seconds. In 2025, the number of smartphone users who will scan a QR code is projected to be almost 100 million.
Clearly, QR codes have become common. For consumers, they’re convenient, contactless, and simple to use. For businesses, they’re cost-effective, less wasteful than paper material, and able to seamlessly transmit key information in “phygital”spaces. QR codes can increase engagement and conversion rates, facilitate data collection, and improve the customer experience. And with the right tool, you can create a QR code — almost as quickly as you can scan one — and easily incorporate it into a successful omnichannel marketing campaign.
In this article, we’ll cover the benefits of QR codes, examples, how to use them in your marketing strategy, best practices, and more.
Why you need to implement QR codes into your marketing strategy.
First developed more than 30 years ago to track components in Japanese car factories, Quick Response codes, better known as QR codes, have become an important marketing tool that can offer many benefits for businesses.
QR codes attract more eyes to your content by eliminating complex, indirect search processes and bringing important information right to your prospective customers. They save on printing costs, reduce your carbon footprint, share information that can’t fit within a physical space, and give the consumer an easy way to view information whenever and wherever they are. You can track engagements in real time and adjust your strategy as needed with measurable data analytics captured from your website, social media, and more.
You can make a QR code in seconds with a free QR creator. Here are some reasons why QR codes are useful for both marketers and customers:
- Adaptability. QR codes can go on almost anything — from park benches to print posters, as well as products.
- Ease of use. Anyone can scan a QR code in seconds — the camera on smartphones and tablets is a free QR code scanner.
- Streamlined search process. The easier the content is to find, the more likely it is that customers will consume it. QR codes bring your customer straight to the information.
- Better conversion rates. With a simplified buyer’s journey, your product or service is only a click away, making it more likely for customers to make a purchase.
- Measurable progress. Dynamic QR codes allow you to track how users engage with marketing content. You can easily change your content in real time based on customer interactions.
- Shareable content. QR codes allow you to share various content types — including videos, images, PDFs, social media profiles, and more.
By offering a convenient, modern experience, you position your business as one that’s forward-thinking and dedicated to creating a good customer experience, meaning you stand out and stay ahead of the competition.
QR codes have undeniable benefits, but you may be wondering where and how to use them. Read on to learn where to place and how to use them in marketing.
Examples of where to use QR codes for marketing.
In the wake of the pandemic, QR codes became particularly well-known for their use at restaurants, but they’re also popular in retail, events, and customer service. Whichever industry they’re used in, placement is everything.
Put your QR code in a place with high traffic so people will be more likely to scan it. Here are some examples of where QR codes can be effectively used:
- Product packaging. Link to additional product information, tutorials, recipes, or sustainability information.
- Print advertisements and business cards. Provide easy access and nurture deeper engagement with you and your company.
- Retail store displays. Encourage customers to join a rewards program or offer discounts.
- Event and booth items. Share conference presentations, lead generation forms, digital brochures, or interactive product demos.
- TV and digital media. Prompt viewers to engage with content in real time by showing a code on screen.
- Vehicle wraps. Promote brand awareness and generate leads with a QR code on a car.
How to implement a QR code into your marketing strategy.
For maximum engagement and quick conversions, think about how you should use these simple, cost-effective codes. Here are some things to consider when implementing a QR code into your marketing strategy.
Define campaign goals.
First, determine what you’d like your campaign to accomplish. Choose what action you’d like viewers to take — whether you want them to visit a website, download an app, purchase a product, join a newsletter, or something else. Then, find out who your target audience is by analyzing current customer demographics. You can conduct market research and use social media analytics to find this information.
Create a QR code landing page.
Before launching your marketing campaign, make sure your customers have a spot to land. Create a QR code landing page that’s mobile-friendly and engaging enough that customers want to stick around and explore.
Adobe Express has a free landing page maker tool that can help you kick off your campaign with a variety of customizable templates for whatever your page needs might be. You can create your page from scratch and upload your own media or choose from the Adobe Stock library of images to bring your landing page to life.
Make your QR code.
Now for the star of the show — your QR code. Adobe Express has a free QR code generator that is simple to use and gives you customization options. Find the link you want your QR code to open up to and follow these steps:
- Enter or paste the URL in the box.
- Navigate to the Style tab and choose from various Dots, Maker border, and Marker Center options.
- Click on the color tab and choose one of the color options. Otherwise, you can stick with the default color, which is black.
- Go to the File format tab, and from the dropdown menu, choose your file format (PNG, JPG, or SVG).
- Download your QR code, or to add more details to the background, click Open in Adobe Express to place it in one of the template options or add your own background.
Now that you know how to use the Adobe Express free QR creator to make your QR code, let’s dive into how to incorporate it across your marketing efforts.
Integrate the QR code.
Place your QR code in digital ads, print materials, email newsletters, social media, or wherever else you want to drive traffic. Make sure it’s large and visible enough so viewers can easily scan QR code content, no matter how tech-savvy they might be.
Create a clear CTA for viewers to scan the code and include the link from the QR code in case users have difficulty scanning it.
Best practices for your QR code campaign.
A QR code marketing campaign is a great way to quickly move viewers toward your content, but you need to consider several factors for the campaign to be effective. Check out these best practices and tips before you publish to the masses:
- Create a clear incentive. Develop a strong CTA that tells the user what happens when they scan the QR code. Whether to promote users getting a coupon, bringing them to your latest video content, or entering a contest, include a brief description of what happens after they scan.
- Location is key. A QR code campaign can’t be successful if people aren’t scanning the codes. Use customer data to determine what your customers are engaging with and place QR codes in locations where people will use them.
- Optimize for mobile. QR codes are primarily scanned with a free QR code scanner or smartphones, so ensure the page is fast-loading, simple to navigate on a mobile device, and points the user toward a clear action.
- Test it first. You’ve created the most stunning marketing materials, and it would be a shame for them to go to waste. Test out QR codes before they are published on print and digital materials, and test them again afterward.
- Stay relevant. QR codes give you the opportunity to easily and quickly adapt and build on content. Regularly update QR code landing pages with new content or offers and change out product links and featured videos.
- Customize. Add your brand logo, colors, or background with your QR code so viewers can easily recognize your business and stand out from other codes.
- Ensure scanability. Make sure your QR code is large enough for a smartphone or tablet to scan and has high contrast so it’s easily picked up by the device. Keep placement in mind — too high or too low from eye level could mean viewers miss it.
- Analyze results. Keep track of where users are coming from, the type of device they’re using, and the actions they take. Once you have enough data, optimize and improve the landing page content and the placement of the QR code if necessary.
Generate success with Adobe Express.
It’s no secret — QR codes increase engagement, simplify the buyer’s journey, and give you valuable, real-time data to continue providing exceptional customer experiences. QR codes bring your customers from physical spaces to digital platforms that boost brand awareness and drive sales. Whether you’re using them on print ads, in email or social media, or on product packaging, QR codes are a versatile, cost-effective way to engage with your customers.
By strategically integrating QR codes across various touchpoints, you create a cohesive experience that encourages action and builds a sense of trust with your customers. With Adobe Express, creating, customizing, and implementing polished, eye-catching QR codes is a breeze. With a professional look and impeccable functionality across channels, the Adobe Express QR code generator can help you kick off your marketing campaign with confidence.
Success is just a scan away. Try Adobe Express today for all your QR code and marketing campaign needs.