How to Use QR Code Tracking for Your Business

QR code tracking is the use of dynamic QR codes in order to track a QR code’s statistics in real-time. This means that businesses can see:

• The location with the most scans
• The most popular operating system (OS) 
• The most popular time of the day 
• The most effective type of QR code

In turn, businesses and marketers can use these statistics to extrapolate what changes to make — if any — in their future marketing campaigns. 

Keep in mind that only dynamic QR codes can be tracked. This is because conventional, static QR codes do not have the technology to support such a feature. They are merely a coded representation of a specific URL or file document. 

On the other hand, dynamic QR codes include a small URL link that directs users to information stored within a dynamic QR code generator. This means that a dynamic QR code can be:

• Edited after it has been created
• Tracked 
• Linked with Google Analytics

In practice, QR codes — both static and dynamic — are used to bridge the gap between physical and digital advertising. 

Businesses can use them to direct users from offline marketing (e.g., billboards, flyers, brochures, product packaging, etc.) into online platforms where additional sales can be made (e.g., business websites, social media platforms, etc.).

QR code tracking can be used in virtually any industry where printed marketing campaigns are used. 

This is because it allows businesses and marketers to distinguish between effective and ineffective advertising approaches extremely accurately by enabling them to track pivotal elements of marketing campaigns. These include:

• The type of QR codes that were the most popular
• The type of QR codes that led to the most conversions
• The location of the best-performing QR codes
• The OS that was used to scan the most QR codes

Examples of industries that use QR code tracking include:

• Ecommerce businesses
• Shopping malls
• Real estate agencies
• Marketing agencies
• Online businesses
• Manufacturing businesses
• Supermarkets

Note: Depending on the dynamic QR code generator that you choose to create your QR codes, you may be able to integrate Google Analytics into the mix. This can allow you to see a more holistic overview of your audience’s behaviors, including:

• The type of browser used
• The type of device used
• The demographics of your visitors

You can use QR tracking in your small business by following these steps:

• Find a dynamic QR code generator: There are many available, all offering varying features, user experiences, and prices. We recommend QR Creator because it allows users to create free dynamic QR codes without signing or including any personal information.
• Create a QR code: You will need to decide the type of QR code that you want to create (e.g., URL QR code, YouTube QR code, PDF QR code, etc.). Before downloading it, make sure you have imported your logo and chosen the colors that best match your brand. 
• Track QR code statistics: After you have created and published your QR code, you will be able to revert back to your online QR code generator and “edit” or “track” its performance. This will allow you to examine your target audience’s behavior. For example, you will be able to see:
  • The most popular form of QR code
  • The most popular time of the day
  • The most popular location
  • The effectiveness of the scans (e.g., the number of conversions per scan, etc.).

From there, you will be able to accurately extrapolate any changes that you need to implement in your future marketing campaigns, improving your efficiency. 

Other popular metrics that you can track using dynamic QR codes include:

• The type of devices used by your scanners (e.g., iOS, Android, etc.).
• Google Analytics data. This can be exported on a CSV file which you can then share with your employees and/or stakeholders.