QR Codes on Vehicles: A New Marketing Tool?

The average one-way commute takes 26.6 minutes. Imagine turning that wasted time into a goldmine of new customers for your business. 

No, we’re not talking about becoming a pro-road-rage salesperson (don’t do that!). We’re talking about transforming your car, truck, or van into a mobile billboard using QR Codes. 

Why QR Codes? Because: 

1️⃣ Global QR Code scans on vehicles rose 25% last year, with 68% of consumers likely to recall brands advertised through this channel. 

2️⃣ QR Code campaigns on vehicles have been linked to a 40% increase in website visits and a 20% average return on investment (ROI) for businesses. [Source: Forbes 2023, Statista 2022, Harvard Business Review 2023, CNN Business 2023, Marketing Week 2022]

Every marketer is on the lookout for novel yet impactful marketing strategies. Let’s see how you can take your marketing strategy on the road and turn the gridlock into a goldmine! 

Table of contents

1. How to use QR Codes on vehicles for marketing? 7 Ways to get started 
2. How to create a QR Code for vehicles
3. Why should you use dynamic QR Codes on vehicles?
4. Tips for using QR Codes on vehicles effectively
5. Do more with QR Codes on vehicles
6. Frequently Asked Questions

How to use QR Codes on vehicles for marketing? 7 Ways to get started

Here are some battle-tested examples of using QR Codes on vehicles for marketing: 

1. As mobile billboards 

QR Codes can transform your vehicles into mobile billboards. With a quick scan on a mobile device, you can redirect viewers to any resource conducive to your activation strategy:

• Your website
• Social media page
• App download page
• Access to exclusive discount coupons 
• Perform dozens of other actions

At the heart of using QR Codes on vehicles is an uninterrupted transition from the physical to the digital world. This begets a genuinely engaging user experience, making your brand message more memorable. 

The best part is your message can travel wherever your vehicle goes with QR Codes. Imagine the reach—anyone with a mobile camera becomes a potential customer!

2. For increased brand awareness 

We’ve all been there: stuck in traffic, scrolling through our phones. But what if you saw an engaging branded ad with a QR Code on a nearby vehicle? 

QR Codes, once used to track car parts, now connect customers to brands. A quick scan now instantly directs a curious user to your brand’s information and offerings. All the information they need is at their fingertips, creating a smooth and effortless user experience. 

Customers no longer need to exert much effort or type out the URL to learn about your business. It can be a sure-shot way to activate users waiting in traffic.

⏯️ Here’s how to go about it: You can create brand awareness by linking vehicle QR Codes to your website, targeted landing pages, or social media profiles. After all, familiarity breeds recognition. 

Image via IndyGo.

Indianapolis-based Tea’s Me Café launched a QR Code transit advertisement campaign with local bus operator IndyGo. 

The campaign spanned the passenger side of buses, featuring designs with a QR Code linking to the company’s website. During thousands of weekday bus trips, the ads were potentially exposed to people within the 400-square-mile service area. 

QR Codes are effective in increasing brand awareness because of their customization feature. You can customize them to your brand colors and even your logo. This visual cue strengthens brand recognition and sets you apart from the competition.

3. To increase app users and reduce CAC

Compared to traditional marketing methods such as flyers, billboards, or paid ads, QR Codes are a more cost-effective way to reach potential customers. 

If you own vehicles, you’re utilizing existing assets and reducing printing or placement costs associated with physical advertising. 

For example, link QR Codes to targeted landing pages with exclusive app download discounts for a strategic campaign.  

This way, you incentivize users to download your app. This will result in higher conversion rates (scans to downloads), a better ROI for your marketing efforts, and reduced Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC).

⏯️ See it in action: QR Codes were extensively used in Domino’s Indonesia’s #DominosAppAja campaign to drive new users to its mobile app. 

Stores displayed QR Codes that users had to scan to reach the app and claim a new user discount. This resulted in 29% new user growth on average each quarter since Q1 2021 and reduced their CAC by half.

You can do a similar campaign using QR Codes on vehicles instead of static store locations! 

4. To engage users with contests and special offers

Remember Taylor Swift’s global QR Code scavenger hunt? 💁‍♀️You can use QR Codes on your vehicles to spark excitement and drive results. 

⏯️ Here are some ideas you can explore: 

• Launch targeted promotions based on location. Imagine putting QR Code cards on parked vehicles outside an office building. Office workers can scan them for a special discount at the nearby coffee shop!
• Every 100th user to scan a QR Code on a vehicle gets an exclusive offer! Make sure to write action-oriented copy like “scan before the offer runs out” to prompt scans. 
• Embed interactive content to vehicle QR Codes, such as branded AR filters, immersive videos, or fun games to promote new launches.
• Launch a transit teaser featuring a QR Code that users must scan for a secret message for an upcoming product reveal.

5. To expand social media reach

Social media QR Codes placed on vehicles can lead customers directly to your Instagram profile or other social media handles. This connection between the online and offline marketing channels helps businesses in two ways: 

• Reaching a wider audience, creating brand awareness
• Boosting social media engagement: QR Codes make it easy for people to follow you on different platforms. 

⏯️ See it in action: If you’re an independent artist, try creating your Apple Music or Spotify playlists and embed them in QR Codes to promote via vehicle ads. 

Your music album art with a QR Code to instantly listen can go a long way to drive the streaming hours up for your artist’s account. 

6. Let customers book services and find store locations

Convenience for customers = happy customers! QR Codes on your vehicles can provide easy access to booking options or store locations, enhancing customer convenience. 

Many food trucks now display QR Codes, enabling customers to access menus, leave reviews, location updates, or special offers.

⏯️ See it in action: KFC’s taking things to the next level in China with self-driving food trucks! Customers can simply scan a QR Code on the food truck to browse the menu and place their order.

7. For targeted lead generation

You can use QR Code-based vehicle ads to offer incentives like free trials or special deals in exchange for app downloads or contact information. In this way, you can generate qualified leads.

For example, consider plumbing companies or electricians offering a free quote and discount via a QR Code on their trucks. This is a win-win for attracting new leads and driving sales.

⏯️ See it in action: A local car wash company has QR Codes plastered on all their service vans with a text message “Get Your First Wash Free. Scan for Details.” 

Scanning the QR Code leads users to a simple form where they can enter their name, email address, and preferred location. This strategy allows the car wash to collect targeted leads (busy professionals who value convenience) and build its customer base.

How to create a QR Code for vehicles

Head over to a Free QR Code generator and paste your website address in the ‘Website (URL)’ field. Pick a template, change colors and frame shape. Your QR Code will be generated automatically. Preview and download it in the format of your choice.

If you’ve signed up on Uniqode, then follow the below steps to create your vehicle QR Code:

Step 1: Log-in, click “+Create,” then “QR Code”

You can find the options on the right-hand side of the dashboard. 

After selection, this screen will appear 👇

Paste your website URL and click “Next.” 

Why should you use dynamic QR Codes on vehicles?

Dynamic QR Codes power a much more integrated customer experience thanks to the following reasons: 

1. You can change the URL without printing a new QR Code

Imagine needing to update the destination URL or the food menu every day. With static codes, you’re stuck. You’d need to reprint the QR Code on your vehicle every time you change the URL. 

Dynamic QR Codes, however, allow you to update the information they lead to at any time without reprinting the QR Code itself. This is ideal for keeping marketing efforts relevant.

2. More successful scans from moving vehicles 

One must be able to scan the QR Code from a moving vehicle or in a short window while halting road congestion. 

Dynamic codes store shortened URLs instead of full website addresses compared to static QR Codes. Therefore, they scan time is faster than static QR Codes. 

Also, dynamic QR Codes won’t pixelate when enlarged, making them ideal for long-distance scanning. 

“I personally performed internal tests where I scanned the Uniqode QR Code from a distance of 30 feet from the television without zooming in. And I was able to do that in less than 0.5 seconds!”

– Pratik Shetty, Senior Director of Custom, Flipkart

3. Error correction

Dynamic codes have built-in error correction, meaning even if a portion of the QR Code gets slightly damaged (think: a minor scratch on your vehicle), it can still be scanned successfully. 

Static QR Codes, however, can become unreadable even if a small part is damaged.

4. Tracking campaign results

You cannot track any data using static QR Codes. There’s no way to attribute how many people scan them or where those scans come from. 

Dynamic QR Codes, however, provide data on scan activity. You can track metrics such as the number of scans, user demographics, and even the most popular landing pages accessed. You can use this data to optimize your future campaigns.

Tips for using QR Codes on vehicles effectively

Use your brand elements in QR Codes

Advanced QR Code generators like Uniqode (👋that’s us) allow you to customize your QR Code with your brand colors and logo, making it visually appealing and memorable. 

Always ensure your QR Code pattern is darker than the background. Don’t invert the colors!

Consider size and placement 

Ensure the QR Code is large enough to scan from a moving vehicle and placed in a high-visibility location. 

Unlike close-up scans, where a small QR Code might work, long-distance viewing requires a bigger one. 

For instance, a billboard ad viewed from 20 meters (65 feet) might require a QR Code two meters (6.5 feet) wide! 

Calvin Klein’s billboard campaign is a great example. Their QR Code was double the size, ensuring maximum scans even from a distance. Remember, the bigger the code, the more likely people will notice and scan it.

Also, ensure your QR Code is the focal point of the marketing material. Don’t let competing design elements distract from the QR Code.

Add a call-to-action (CTA)

Don’t leave people guessing! A common QR Code mistake is skipping a clear explanation of what users will get by scanning. Tell people what to do—a strong CTA such as “Scan for Deals” or “Get the App” above your QR Code makes it more likely they’ll take action.

Print in the right file format 

A blurry or pixelated QR Code is a scannable nightmare. Use high-quality printing materials and formats (SVG, JPG, PNG) to guarantee precise, scannable codes. 

Always test your code from various distances before deployment to ensure readability.

Do more with QR Codes on vehicles

Hit the gas on your marketing! Turn your vehicles into marketing machines using QR Codes. Easily track your campaign results, update content on the fly, and design eye-catching custom QR Codes. 

You can also strengthen your brand identity with a custom domain. Users will recognize your brand name in the URL when they scan your QR Code. This strengthens the legitimacy and prompts users to click the link.

Frequently asked questions

Can I put a QR Code on my vehicle?

Yes! QR Codes are a great way to advertise your business using your car, truck, or any other vehicle. Besides advertising, QR Code is widely used in the automobile industry for inventory tracking, vehicle identification and registration, and other use cases.

How big should a QR Code be on a vehicle?

The farther the distance, the bigger your QR Code should be. Also, scanning small QR Codes on moving vehicles can be challenging. 

How to get a QR Code for a vehicle?

You can create a QR Code on Uniqode for free. Enter the destination URL, select the template, and customize it to your needs. For more information, see the detailed step-by-step guide above.   

How to put a QR Code on the vehicle wrap?

If your vehicle has a vinyl wrap, you can directly include the QR Code in the design. Ensure the code is large enough and contrasts nicely with the background for straightforward scanning. Alternatively, apply a high-quality vinyl decal with a QR Code sticker onto any clean, smooth vehicle surface.

• Author Details

Author Details

Ektha S

Enthusiastic about marketing and improving the ROI of businesses.

ektha.s@uniqode.com