So you’ve worked out the kinks in your services and product offerings, but what about your customer service?
Good customer service is an absolute must for any business hoping to do well in today’s hyper-competitive market. Even the slightest slip in customer support can have a disastrous impact on your brand’s reputation, causing dire consequences for your bottom line.
That’s why investing in the right tools and technologies to help you provide an exceptional customer experience, whether online or offline, is an integral aspect of any sensible business growth plan.
Advancements in customer service tech stacks have made it easier than ever for businesses to provide seamless, personalized service to their customers. The only caveat is that your reps must be well-versed in the latest tools and technologies to guarantee your customers get the best experience possible.
One such tool that’s currently turning heads in customer service circles is QR codes. Yes, the same QR codes you’ve seen in magazines and billboards—only nowadays, they’re showing up more and more to provide a better customer experience.
Read on to learn how you can incorporate QR codes into your customer service process and offer your customers the experience they deserve.
Benefits of QR codes
For those unfamiliar, a QR (or quick response) code is a two-dimensional barcode that carries information such as links to websites, product information, and contact details. These codes are like barcodes you often see in stores, only much more versatile and accessible.
Here’s a rundown of some of the benefits QR codes can bring to your customer experience process:
Easy to use
QR codes are straightforward to use and understand—excellent for delivering an effortless customer experience without resorting to overly complicated methods. All customers need to do is use a QR code scanner on their smartphones (which most have pre-installed) to instantly access whatever information or product you’re offering.QR codes can link consumers to coupons, product reviews, newsletters, online appointment schedulers, and more.
Affordable to generate
Unlike other customer experience tools, these codes are incredibly cost-effective, as they don’t require you to invest heavily in expert resources or expensive tech. A quick Google search will turn up dozens of free QR code generators you can use to generate custom codes. QR codes’ affordability makes them the perfect tool for small businesses and startups looking to get a leg up on customer experience without breaking the bank or straining their resource capacity.
Offer customer insights
Businesses are always on the lookout for more accessible, less intrusive means of tracking customer shopping activities. Enter QR Codes. These codes can provide a wealth of analytics on customer behavior, such as how many customers have used the code and how often. This data can be invaluable for creating tailored customer experiences.
QR code strategies to improve customer experience
Now that you know the many advantages of using QR codes for customer experience, let’s look at some creative and helpful ways to incorporate them into your customer service process:
Optimize in-store interactions
Most shoppers resent the presence of pushy salespeople, hovering around them, constantly trying to upsell them on seemingly superfluous items. To avoid this problem, you can include QR codes in your product displays.
With QR Codes placed strategically around the shopping environment, customers can scan them to learn more about individual products without feeling intimidated or disturbed by sales personnel.
Add fun and interactivity
You can also employ QR codes to inject a bit of fun and interactivity to your customer’s shopping experience. For example, if you are selling clothing items, you can include QR codes on the tags that lead customers to videos of models showing off the clothing or tips on how to style them.
You can also create digital scavenger hunts, where customers have to find QR codes around the store that lead them to special discounts or rewards. Such interactive elements can make the shopping experience more enjoyable and less tedious.
Make checkouts and returns smoother
The checkout process is often the most frustrating part of shopping. Long queues, complicated paperwork, and slow payment processing can be exhausting and time-consuming for customers. QR codes can help make the process smoother and faster.
For instance, you can have customers scan a QR code at the checkout to quickly provide customer info or payment details, making the process faster and more efficient. Similarly, QR codes can provide customers with information about return policies or generate return labels and other relevant documents.
Steps to create QR codes
If you’re new to QR codes and don’t know where to begin, follow these basic steps:
Step #1: Decide what purpose the QR code will serve
Knowing the purpose of your code is the first step towards creating a successful customer experience with QR codes. Will it be used to redirect customers to a website or store? To help with shipping info or account management?
Whatever the purpose, have a clear idea of how your generated QR code will fit into your overall customer service strategy.
Step #2: Choose your code type
You’ll want to decide on the exact type of QR code, such as static or dynamic, that is most appropriate for the campaign you’re trying to run:
- Static QR codes. These are non-editable and are often used for basic redirects to a website or other digital content.
- Dynamic QR codes. These are editable, meaning you can update the content linked to them whenever you need to. Dynamic codes are especially useful for campaigns where information may change frequently.
Step #3: Choose a QR code generator
Once you know what type of code you need, the next step is to choose a reputable QR code generator. Do your research and pick a generator that’s secure, reliable, and comes with features like analytics tracking and customization options.
Step #4: Generate your code
Most QR code generators will require you to fill in some basic details like the URL or PDF file you want to embed into the code. After you’ve supplied this information, simply hit generate, and your chosen tool will produce your unique code.
Step #5: Download or print the code
Depending on how you plan to use it, you may have to download the code or print it. Most generators offer both digital and printed versions, so you can choose whichever is most suitable for your needs.
Getting the most out of QR codes
Creating a QR code isn’t the hard part. Implementing it in a way that adds value to your customer experience programs is where it gets tricky. Here are a few tips to help you get started on the right foot:
Do scan tests
Before rolling out your QR codes for customers, always do multiple scan tests to check for any potential issues with your code. This exercise can help you identify any problems that could arise when customers scan it, like incorrect redirects or broken links.
You’ll also want to test multiple QR code scanners and devices, as some may not work as intended. Then, post instructions alongside the printed or digital code on how to adjust scanner or camera settings (if needed) and what to do if a customer is having trouble with the QR code.
Watch the size and placement
For printed codes, pay attention to the size. If it’s too small, customers may have trouble scanning it correctly. Research the appropriate minimum dimensions for QR codes for the specific material or product you’re printing it on, as this can vary depending on the surface.
Similarly, make sure the placement of your code is conspicuous. A QR code won’t do you any good if customers can’t find it. For instance, you don’t want to put a code near busy patterns or on a surface that’s not easily accessible.
Be open to new approaches and ideas
QR tech may have been around for a while, but that doesn’t mean it won’t continue to evolve. As more and more businesses adopt QR codes, new trends will emerge to make customer experiences even better. Keep an eye out for fresh trends in the QR tech space, and be willing to try them out.
Staying apprised of disruptive future trends that might upend the status quo of how you use your customer service tech will enable you to predict changes and position yourself as a market leader.
Enhancing customer experience with QR codes
Providing a flawless customer experience is essential these days — especially with so many other companies fighting for the same customers! But by leveraging QR tech for your customer engagement strategies, you can equip your team with a valuable tool whose capabilities can bring more advantages than you might realize at first glance.
From quicker access to product info to smoother transactions, QR codes have the power to create a more efficient and enjoyable customer experience. So, get started today and explore the possibilities!
