Chances are within the last couple of years you have seen QR codes (or Quick Response codes) out in the wild while out shopping or eating out at restaurants. While QR codes were once thought of as a gimmick, they have become a trend throughout the pandemic as consumers continue to value contactless forms of interaction.
Originally created to replace barcodes within the manufacturing industry, QR codes provide the user with much more information. Additionally, QR codes are integrated into the camera of most new smartphones, which provides more ease than before when downloading a QR scanner app was required.
While interest in QR codes has been lackluster in Europe and North America, more than 90% of Chinese mobile payments run through Alipay and WeChat Pay, where both platforms utilize QR codes for their transactions.
QR codes have been utilized for all different types of retailers and are accessible to large and small businesses alike. It is a great way to share credentials, sustainability information, and generic information right on a customer’s smartphone.
While this is a rapidly growing technology and you may be considering implementing QR codes into your future business plan, there are some data concerns to be aware of. There are security risks where hackers send malicious links to consumers who scan the codes. According to Penta Security, “One common method is to embed a malicious URL containing malware into a QR code so that when a victim uses their mobile device to scan it, the malware would be downloaded and activated in their device”.
So how do you protect yourself from these risks? The best way is to use a reputable QR code company. Here are some examples of reputable companies that provide flexible plans:
All in all, QR codes are not very expensive and provide a lot of conversions while sharing important information or promotions with your customers. If you need any help navigating new trends, social media, and marketing, reach out to us today for more information.
