QR codes, those square barcodes you’ve probably seen everywhere from billboards to product packaging, are more than just a modern design trend. They’re a powerful tool that can elevate your brand’s engagement and customer experience. By scanning a QR code on a phone or tablet, users can instantly access a wealth of digital content from product and event information to exclusive offers and discounts. With this in mind, it’s no surprise QR codes have become extremely important in the world of branded merchandise!

Top 5 Benefits of QR codes on your Promotional Merchandise.

1. The Obvious – Enhanced Customer Engagement

QR codes can transform your branded merchandise into gateways for brand interaction and awareness. Imagine scanning a logo on a t-shirt to unlock a behind-the-scenes company video or a special discount code. If you’re rebranding, QR codes are an excellent way to get clients to visit your new website and build more brand recognition. By offering these unique experiences, you can captivate your audience and create a deeper, longer-lasting connection with your brand and with your messaging.

2. Improved Customer Experience

QR codes on merchandise can improve a customer’s ongoing experience with your brand. If you sell products, you can streamline a customer’s online journey, making it more convenient and efficient. Put a QR code on a promotional giveaway or sample label and link to a page where they can buy more, access reviews, or even view a video tutorial on how to use the giveaway item. If you’re holding an event, a QR code on a tote bag or lanyard could link to a floor map of the event or an itinerary. Not only useful, it would reduce the need for lots of paper handouts which isn’t eco-friendly. Offering an excellent customer experience will leave the right impression of your brand.

3. Send a Sustainable Message

Many companies now contact us wanting to ensure that any branded merchandise they purchase is produced sustainably. It’s important for a company’s CSR and necessary for their own sustainability commitments. What we are now seeing is that companies also want the recipient of their promotional merchandise to be aware that it was produced ethically and sustainably and QR codes are a brilliant way to do this. We are able to give you documentation around the sustainability of your merchandise and you can link to this from a QR code or, create your own information page about the product. Alternatively, if there are instructions or information on the recyclability or end of life options for your product, this can be linked to from your QR code. You’ll be sending a sustainable message that will say positive things about your brand.

4. Effective Data Collection

Beyond engagement, QR codes are a valuable tool for gathering valuable data about your customers. By tracking QR code scans on your merchandise, you can gain insights into customer preferences and their buying behaviour. You can also look at campaign effectiveness and ROI. If you hand out promotional giveaways at an event with a QR code that links to a discount, you can see how many are redeemed. You could also link to a landing page offering an exclusive product not seen in your store and see how many are purchased. You could even create a QR code which links to a short survey to gather more data or link to a sign-up page for people to receive more information about your brand. Having a data-driven approach allows you to refine your future marketing strategies and tailor your offerings to specific audience segments.

5. Go Crazy with Creative Applications

The possibilities for using QR codes on branded merchandise are endless and sometimes it pays to think outside the box and create a more unique experience that really brings your brand to life. We’ve got a few ideas!

• Augmented Reality Experiences: Transport your customers to a virtual world with AR experiences triggered by QR codes. If you work at a theme park or museum that has a dinosaur exhibition, why not link to an AR dino world. Kids will love it and it’s also an incentive to buy the merchandise from your gift shop.
• Social Media Competitions: Encourage social media interactions and sharing by linking QR codes to social media contests. You’ll increase your brand reach and maybe tap into a new audience. Your prize giveaways could even be more of your company’s awesome branded merchandise.
• Interactive Storytelling: Want to create buzz at an event? Create immersive narratives that unfold as customers scan QR codes on different banners or products as they explore your trade show or fair. You could do a similar thing with a series of collectable promotional products and make different codes on different items of packaging.

We’re Sold on Merchandise QR Codes

By incorporating QR codes into your branded merchandise, you can unlock a world of opportunities to engage, inform, and delight your customers. So, why not give it a try? Your brand will thank you.

Want more information on how Arcadia can do this for you? Get in touch with our team on sales@arcadiaonline.co.uk and we’ll talk you through the best processes and best products for your next QR worthy campaign.

Jason Markwick

Having worked in Promotional Merchandise for the last 30 years I have been exposed to all aspects of the industry. Starting out as an account manager working with some of the worlds leading brands, I have learnt to understand the needs of a client, manufacturing processes, and what it takes to deliver a successful promotional campaign that is on brand, on time and within a given budget.