How To Use a QR Code Call To Action And Boost Scans: Examples, Ideas, Tips

A solid call to action that clicks with your audience is marketing 101. In fact, tailored CTAs (calls to action), especially for marketing campaigns, convert 202% better.  

The case for CTA applies to your  QR Code campaigns as well! 

QR Codes that lack the right frame and CTA often fail to convert because they fail to communicate the outcome. Where will the scan take me? Is it even safe to scan? 

On the other hand, users are more likely to scan a QR Code when they know what content they can expect, which automatically improves scan rate, engagement, and conversion.

I will show you how to use action-oriented and decisive CTAs that boost customer engagement, using real-life examples for inspiration!

1. Using a QR Code generator to place CTA texts below your QR Codes
2. How to generate a QR Code with text below
3. Examples of QR Codes with CTA text
4. Applications where a QR Code with text below comes in handy
5. Frequently asked questions

What is a QR Code call-to-action, and why do you need it?

A QR Code call to action CTA is the text placed near a QR Code that tells a user exactly why they should scan it, preventing oblivion and guesswork. CTAs are usually embedded in the frame of the QR Code, which is why adding a frame is essential for a CTA.

Knowing the outcome of a QR Code scan instills a sense of trust in the QR Code, ultimately increasing the scan rate. 

Action-oriented QR Code CTA also taps into the general consumer psychology that satisfies the natural human tendency to get drawn into materials that are: 

• Clearer and simpler to understand
• Create a sense of FOMO, or 
• Use catchy colors to command attention

— all of which is possible using a QR Code CTA. 

QR Code call to action examples for different use cases

The best way to determine the best call to action for your QR Code is by seeing those who’ve done it right. 

I have picked real-world examples for different QR Code types to help you understand how to update your CTA strategy:

1. Coupons and loyalty programs QR Code CTAs like Starbucks

 Loyalty programs and coupon QR Codes are a great way to increase customer engagement for marketing campaigns. 

Adding a CTA to such QR Codes entices customers to scan them for incentives. However, the key is to know the intent and purpose of the loyalty campaign and design the CTA accordingly. 

Starbucks’ QR Code-based loyalty program had a clear and action-oriented CTA from their bookmark-style handouts. 

The CTA told its customers what to do (Scan the code to vote for their favorite roast), and the outcome was a discount and the most popular roast to try—both clear wins for the brand!   

Source

🎟️ QR Code CTA ideas:

1. Scan to get [new product name] free
2. Scan to subscribe to our loyalty program
3. Scan QR Code for [cause] coupon
4. Scan to enter reward universe
5. Scan code for exclusive perks

2. Ratings and review feedback QR Code CTAs like Lotte Duty-Free

Businesses and brands of all sizes need unbiased product reviews and ratings to attract new customers and opportunities. 

With its industry-first future Smart Store, Lotte Duty-Free enables a new digital shopping experience with QR Codes. 

The travel retailer has QR Codes at the store entrance with a CTA that allows customers to view their mobile cart, read product reviews, and check inventory for better customer experience. 

Source

🎟️QR Code CTA ideas:

Add a QR Code on product packaging, storefronts or windows, aisles, or events with a CTA for a review:

1. Scan QR Code for a review
2. Satisfied? Scan to let us know
3. Got feedback? Scan to let us know here
4. How did we do? Scan if you found [product, service] satisfactory
5. Scan to share your thoughts
6. Scan to rate us on [platform]

Also read:  How to use feedback and rating QR Codes

3. Grow followers with social media QR Code CTAs like Cadbury

British chocolate giant Cadbury launched a campaign where buyers could record a personalized video message and send it to their loved ones with the chocolate box. 

Users could record the video while ordering from the official store, and Cadbury would create and print a unique QR Code with a “Scan for your video message” CTA on the chocolate box for the recipient to scan and view the content. 

The campaign was a huge success. It gained about 1.6 million timelines on Instagram and over 5K+ tweets and 1.6 million Instagram UGCs. 

QR Code frames to grow social media followers have positively impacted brands. If you plan to operate on a specific social platform, add the corresponding social media icon to the QR Code so customers know where they are being directed. 

🎟️QR Code CTA ideas:

1. Scan QR Code to follow us on [social media network]
2. Like our efforts? Scan to follow us on socials
3. Scan to watch our video now
4. Scan QR to stay updated with [brand] news

4. Improve contact sharing with vCard QR Code CTAs

Businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals looking to make new connections or expand their network can add QR Codes to their business cards, checkout aisles, and reception with a clear CTA to their QR Code frame. 

Customers are more likely to scan the QR Code when they know what it holds. 

Customize the vCard QR Code with the right frame to suit the business and share contact information quickly. 

🎟️QR Code call-to-action ideas:

Indicate why and how the customer will add you as a contact with your CTA.

1. Scan QR Code to save the contact
2. Scan QR Code to give a missed call
3. Save my Contact
4. Scan to connect
5. Get my number/contact
6. Scan to connect with me now!

5. Boost app downloads with App download QR Code CTAs

Searching for a particular app on the app store is rather tedious when the source link is incorrect in the pool of apps. This is why app download QR Codes are so effective.

However, you must still use clear and concise CTAs for your app download QR Codes to let the customer know that scanning will facilitate an easy download.

Grapevine City’s QR Code campaign had three QR Codes on its posters. It was initially meant to be a tourist host campaign, but was very confusing. The company added three copies of the same QR Code without a frame, CTA, or customization. 

Grapevine City could have improved its campaign by displaying one QR Code with a frame and text that indicated app download instead of three puzzling QR Codes that did not explicitly reveal what it did. 

On the other hand, fast-food giant Chick-fil-A used QR Codes with its brand logo and a clear and direct CTA telling users to scan and download the app. The result? A 14% increase in app downloads!

🎟️QR Code call-to-action ideas:

Use clear CTAs asking you to download your app and add the benefits of doing so.

1. Scan to download the app now!
2. Scan to download the app for exclusive discounts
3. Scan to view on the app
4. Get the app with a single scan now!

6. Increase e-commerce sales and website traffic with URL QR Code CTAs

 Mailchimp’s QR Code-based marketing campaign called “Pyow” was an excellent feature for marketers to create customized QR Codes that redirected customers to their store pages. However, the QR Code did not bear any explicit instructions or a call to action.  

Source

Such QR Code campaigns have little to no effect on consumers since they do not depict the campaign’s idea. 

Flipkart, a subsidiary of Walmart, ran a successful campaign displaying multiple QR Codes with one clear CTA telling customers to scan any of them to unlock “crazy deals.” This helped them reach more than 2 Million scans with 536,000 unique users!

Similarly, businesses can boost customer engagement and promote products with a QR Code frame and the accompanying CTA that redirects to their websites and e-stores.

QR Code call-to-action ideas:

1. Scan QR Code to visit our store page
2. Scan to open the website
3. Scan to unlock crazy deals!
4. Scan for exclusive discounts
5. Scan to avail of our limited-time offer now!

7. Improve guest experience with event QR Code CTAs

Very often, organizers of an event forget the nitty-gritty of following basic rules for a successful event. 

Adding an event QR Code can help organizers and customers operate smoothly. 

The event QR Code campaign must include the location of the event, contact information, landing page, and RSVP to the event. However, this is a lot of information to add to a single canvas. Ensure you have a clear CTA below the QR Code and redirect it to your landing page with complete event details.

🎟️QR Code call-to-action ideas:

Make use of concise CTA text and redirect the QR Code to a landing page that has all the information about the event. 

1. Scan QR Code to RSVP
2. Scan to get directions and learn more about the event
3. Scan to respond
4. Scan to let us know your availability
5. Scan to respond by [Date]

8. Check the authenticity of a product 

In a world where counterfeiting and duplication are on the rise, QR Codes can help reinforce customers’ trust. Adding QR Codes with a clear call-to-action on product packages to check their authenticity is a beneficial use of the technology and helps curb counterfeiting.  

Several companies, such as Maesa, Amul, Zego, and H&M, have QR Codes on their product packaging to testify to the product’s origin and contents. 

Using a CTA that tells the customer to scan the CoA can boost scans

🎟️QR Code call-to-action ideas:

The purpose of the QR Code would be fruitful and result in higher conversion rates if these packages had a QR Code frame template with clear CTAs

1. Scan to verify the source
2. Scan to view the contents
3. Scan to view the certificate
4. Scan to view CoA
5. Scan to check ingredients

Check out the complete list of our QR Code generator pricing.

Best practices to craft effective QR Code CTAs  

If you want to emulate the success of these brands who’ve used QR Code CTAs, we’ve listed certain guidelines that will help you craft compelling CTAs for any use case!

1. Add an incentive 

The most crucial facet of the success of a QR Code is when the customers are given a reason to scan. Ineffective CTAs usually expect customers to scan/like/sign up without providing any reason for them to do so. 

Customers do not share their personal information, such as email addresses or phone numbers, without establishing trust or presenting an enticing offer. 

CTAs that drive them to scan the QR Code by offering a discount, tutorial, exclusive pass, or find to sweepstakes will give them a valid reason to scan the QR Code. 

2. Choose your QR Code call-to-action text wisely

With people’s attention span short, an overly complex marketing campaign with great intent can become awful. A recent study found that CTAs with action-oriented words significantly outperformed CTAs that used plain words with no intent concerning click-through rates. 

QR Codes with no clarity or subtext can divert customers’ attention, leading to low Scan rates. Actionable CTAs have garnered higher conversion rates, increased customer engagement, and significantly helped with brand recall. 

Avoid adding QR Codes with unclear instructions, difficult keywords, and crowded text next to the QR Code, which is often lost. 

As a good rule of thumb, follow these pointers to always keep your CTA game on point:

1. Always add precise and clear call-to-actions to QR Code frames 
2. Ensure the CTAs are filled with action verbs to prompt a higher chance of conversion 
3. Use simple language and avoid complicated words
4. Make sure the CTA is fitted for the medium you are sharing the QR Code on

3. Have a strategy for the QR Code Campaign

In marketing, every single inch is valuable real estate. Misusing and lousy planning can ruin the whole campaign.

The key to a successful QR Code frame with a Call-To-Action is thinking about CTAs in terms of a broader and more organized campaign. Without this, it can lead to a haphazard effort, like puzzle pieces that do not fit together.

Some of the most common mishaps are – 

1. Adding a CTA that takes them to a website that is not mobile-optimized
2. QR Codes with CTAs at inaccessible locations 
3. Having a QR Code frame with no quiet zone
4. Not being specific about the additional steps to be taken 

A QR Code campaign must intend to cater to a brand’s target audience with the correct emotion and ultimately lead to more conversion rates. 

4. Focus on  the QR Code CTA design

We often see QR Codes on billboards or sidewalks that do not complement the advertisement and the brand. Such QR Codes are neither engaging nor attractive. 

QR Codes that are not customized not only diminish the intent behind the campaign’s purpose but also affect the brand image.

To add a CTA that aesthetically complements the QR Code, make sure you: 

1. Use contrast between the CTA text and background to allow customers to easily read the CTA
2. Customize the QR Code in line with the brand by adding its logo in the center
3. Changing the color of the QR Code to complement the brand.
4. Ensure the CTA color matches the QR Code design.
5. Choose the right CTA font that goes with your brand image.

Customize the QR Code in line with the brand by adding its logo in the center, changing the color of the QR Code to complement the brand, and adding CTA for the frame QR Code to make it more engaging. 

Brands with no CTAs have suffered significant losses, irrespective of their domain. Businesses that are sensitive to their customers and personalize campaigns with better reach-out strategies are the ones that win at the end of the day.

5. Tailor your QR Code CTAs to your audience

While QR Code CTAs must follow some guidelines, certain instances might allow you more freedom. A study from HubSpot shows that personalized CTAs are 42% more likely to convert than generic ones.

You can experiment and think creatively to attract your target audience based on your QR Code campaign type. For example, MaxUrban India used a wacky QR Code design that redirected customers to their Instagram page, with a CTA telling them to “scan to vibe!”

Remember your target demographic when adding a call to action to your QR Code. If you want to reach a larger audience, follow the rules mentioned in the first point!

6. Test the QR Code before printing 

Printing out QR Codes before testing is one of the most common mistakes in the books. 

Having a QR Code frame with an effective CTA that does not scan correctly or lead customers to the right landing page will render it useless. 

Make sure to follow the rules of creating a QR Code frame correctly and test the size of the QR Code with respect to the material that is going to be used, the working condition of the QR Code, and the placement of the QR Code on the material. 

If the QR Code is placed in between a magazine fold on the bottom right that is barely visible, the QR Code will not serve the purpose of the campaign. 

Always test the QR Code before downloading it. 

7. Measure the success of your QR Code CTA campaigns

Using a call to action for your QR Code is a great idea, but how do you know if it’s working?

QR Code metrics can play a huge role in letting you know how to measure the success of your QR Code campaign. Using a QR Code generator such as Uniqode lets you track vital campaign metrics such as 

1. Number of scans
2. Scan Time
3. Location
4. Device operating system
5. QR Code campaign performance

This lets you use measures of your campaign, and you can see which CTAs give you better performance. You can also A/B test different CTA options and go with the ones that get you scans!

Start creating QR Codes with text below for actionable end-user insights

If you want to grab more conversions, you can’t take any chances. If you haven’t yet, start incorporating CTA frames into your QR Codes. Make sure your audience knows exactly what to do when they see your glowing collaterals.

You can even create bulk QR Codes with texts below them – all made possible using a seamless bulk QR Code generator with text customization functionality. Essentially, it lets you create up to 2,000 unique dynamic QR Codes, and all of them come with the CTA of your choice. 

Frequently asked questions

What is a QR Code CTA?

QR Codes can be one of the most crucial elements in your prints. These codes are what your audience interacts with once you convince them you have something of value to offer. Think of QR Codes as the CTA buttons for your print materials. 

You’ll typically see them paired with CTA texts, like “Scan Me” or “Download Now.” This way, the target audience knows what they’re in for.

What is the optimal placement for a QR Code call-to-action text?

QR Codes are tools meant to prompt quick actions. So, the closer a CTA text is to its pairing QR Code, the better. Think of them as your physical marketing collaterals’ CTA buttons, albeit initiating a scan instead of a click.

QR Code CTA texts are best fitted inside frames with contrasting backgrounds that increase the CTA’s impact and visibility. If you’re using a custom QR Code generator with text below customization features, you can easily create customizable frames where you can add brief but actionable CTA texts.

You can also generate a QR Code with text in the middle by uploading a CTA image file. Ensure the CTA text is short and contrasts with the QR Code symbols for better visibility.

How to create a “Scan Me” QR Code frame?

You can create a “Scan me” Call to action QR Code using a trusted QR Code generator such as Uniqode. After choosing your QR Code type, you’ll be given the option to customize your QR Code’s aesthetics. Follow these simple steps once you’re on the customization page:

1. Click on Frame below the Design section.
2. You’ll now be presented with a selection of frame designs. Choose the one you want under the Select Frame section.
3. You can also get any color you want for your frame. Set up RGB or enter the exact color code if you know it.
4. Lastly, in the Frame Text section, you’ll need to enter the CTA text that you’d like to appear in your codes. You’ll also be able to change your text’s color.

Can you customize the text around your QR Code?

Yes. Customization comes with every QR Code creation. And even if you’ve already generated your QR Codes, you can go back to them anytime on the dashboard when you need to make any visual changes, such as the frame or the text. Just go to the dashboard’s customization setup page to do your tweaks.

• Author Details

Author Details

Reuben Isidoro

Reuben is a Content Marketer who helps businesses drive audience engagement and conversions through compelling content. Currently, he explores the profound impact of digital business cards on organizational ROI.

https://www.uniqode.com/blog/

reuben.j@uniqode.com