21 Most Impactful QR Code Uses Reshaping Industries Today

By: Ashley P.Update: November 27, 2024

The boom of QR code usage is neither an isolated case nor is it without proof. Several QR code uses are emerging and evolving to this date to facilitate instant information exchange, simplify business operations, and enhance customer experiences.

No matter what shape the data takes, anyone using these two-dimensional barcodes can rest assured that the information they want to share will reach its intended destination.

Today, eight QR codes are generated per minute, marking a 47 percent increase in QR code generation year over year.

QR code scans are also surging to 57 percent across 50 countries, indicating that their utilization is not only a passing trend but a permanent part of people's lives and businesses’ workflows.

We list over 21 of the most effective use cases of QR codes and how they are transforming our lives and businesses across different industries today and in the coming years.

Table of Contents

What does QR mean in a QR code?

The QR in QR code stands for “Quick Response” due to its original development concept of providing high-speed access to information.

This concept was based on the fact that traditional one-dimensional barcodes held too little information. For products with more information than one barcode could handle, multiple barcodes had to be placed on them.

Additionally, they could only be scanned from one direction and were difficult to read when placed on irregular surfaces. These flaws slowed down production times in many manufacturing processes.

QR codes were designed to alleviate these concerns and speed up production and information sharing. One can make them on an ISO-certified QR code generator online, allowing more and more businesses and individuals to adopt them today.

What is a QR code used for?

One QR code history fact reveals that the auto industry adopted QR codes in its first year of development to improve management operations. They were invented by Masahiro Hara of DENSO WAVE, a subsidiary of Toyota.

An emerging societal trend at the time demanded transparency in the production processes of many industries. To keep up, food, pharmaceutical, and contact lens companies began using QR codes to make their products traceable.

Nowadays, QR codes are used in various ways. From promoting goods and services to making cashless payments, these black-and-white squares have found their way into almost all aspects of life.

But one thing has stayed the same despite all its many applications: QR codes hold information that people can easily access.

Popular QR code uses and their growing significance

QR codes are so effective and versatile that anyone can come up with a bunch of ways to use them. However, a select few are popular for one reason or another. Here are the top uses of QR codes:

Information-sharing

The original purpose of QR codes—sharing information—has never been more relevant. With the internet in the palms of everyone’s hands, accessing the data embedded in QR codes is as easy as taking a picture.

Cashless payments

Paying now equates to convenience with the development of contactless payment QR codes.

This method, which has gained massive popularity during the global health crisis, is gaining the interest of individuals and businesses who are looking for a convenient, safe, and secure way of transferring and receiving payments without involving physical cash.

Many payment processors, like Apple Pay and Venmo, have integrated QR code technology into their systems. This has helped make cashless payments more efficient and safe for all users.

QR codes can also be used alongside payment integration initiatives like the European Union’s Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA). With a SEPA QR code, financial transactions across Europe are simplified, which benefits the continent’s citizens.

Inventory management

QR codes make it easy to keep track of items in your inventory.

Like barcodes, information on items can be embedded into QR codes and easily accessed with a scanner. You won’t even need to use a specially designed device for scanning since smartphones can do the trick.

QR codes also hold even more information than normal barcodes, so a single one is enough for each item.

There’s even a kind of QR code that makes identifying and managing items easier than it already is. Known as a GS1 digital link QR code barcode or simply GS1 QR code, it follows a standard structure that encodes unique information on items to help track them along the global supply chain.

Mobile-first advertising and omnichannel marketing

Marketing teams all over the world have seen the potential of using QR codes in their campaigns. In fact, several successful ones have resulted over the years, bringing much attention to their brands’ goods and services.

One recent but notable example of QR code advertising is Katy Perry’s eye-catching QR code tattoo during the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs). Located along the curve of her lower back, the tattoo directed scanners to a pre-save of her upcoming studio album.

Other examples include L’Oréal’s Allure magazine QR codes and CoinBase’s SuperBowl QR code TV ad.

Public travel

QR codes on tickets and boarding passes are becoming more popular as more transport services integrate them into their operations. Since everyone needs to go somewhere, this has made commuting with public transportation more convenient and efficient for both businesses and travelers.

Bus stops and routes

Have you ever wanted to know the best route to your destination? How about the bus stops along the route you already know? Fortunately, location QR codes make learning this information easy.

By linking the QR code to a specific location on Google Maps or any digital mapping platform, anyone scanning it can see where the nearest stops and safest routes are.

More and more cities are implementing a map QR code to help travelers get to their destinations easily, creating a more hassle-free experience while exploring the place and boosting tourism and the economy.

Product information on packaging

Thanks to their large data capacity, QR codes can serve as gateways to a large amount of information that QR codes on product packaging don’t allow.

Because of this advantage, according to data from ProfileTree, 57% of customers have scanned QR codes on food packaging for product information.

Brands that have successfully used packaging QR codes include Hershey’s and their SmartLabel QR Codes, which offer important information like allergens or artificial sweeteners.

Restaurant QR code menus

One of the many QR code uses that’s gaining traction in today’s digital world is menus in QR codes.

Many restaurants and fast food joints are beginning to implement these systems to make the customer journey much easier.

QR code menus are evolving from simply embedding a digitized menu file into a software tool where restaurant owners can directly create a landing page listing all selections and even online payment options, if available.

With a quick scan, customers can select, pay, and simply wait for their orders to be served—it’s that easy.

Customer surveys

Learning what your customers think of your business is essential to its future.

Fortunately, a customer satisfaction survey in the form of QR codes is an easy way to get them. You can easily create one using a QR code form builder.

By giving out surveys this way, customers won’t be inconvenienced by the act of giving feedback.

vCards

vCards, also known as digital business cards, are the future of networking. No longer will professionals need to print stacks of cards to bring to events. Instead, a single QR code can give contact information and much more with a snap of a finger.

Digital business cards are even gaining popularity over the years, with demand for the technology growing at a CAGR of 9% between 2024 and 2032, according to 360 Market Updates.

Registration

QR codes have also been used to speed up registrations for events and check-ins by linking attendees and guests to online forms. This saves organizers from having to print several forms and sift through countless papers to record responses.

Event ticket management

By using QR codes alongside ticketing technology, both attendees and event managers will have a smoother experience during events. This combination allows for faster check-ins and verifications on the spot.

An example of effective ticket management with QR codes is the Sundance Film Festival’s QR code tickets. With these tickets, attendees will only need to have it scanned for them to enter the festival.

Wi-Fi network sharing

QR codes are sometimes used in cafes and restaurants to provide access to their Wi-Fi network. By having these codes on display, customers can easily access the establishment’s internet without having to ask staff for the password.

Offering free Wi-Fi access to customers also helps promote your business. Business Insider reports that over 62% of businesses have customers spending more time on their premises just because they have Wi-Fi.

Simply having a QR code with a “Free Wi-Fi Access” label is enough to attract a flock of customers to your doorstep.

Social media QR codes

Ever wanted to share all of your social media in one go? Well, you most certainly can do so by using a social media QR code. By having your code on display, you can join the list of brands that have increased their follower count by 30%.

Mobile app downloads

Does your business have an app that customers can use to enjoy your services no matter where they are?

With an app store QR code, there’s no need to provide instructions on how to download it. One scan is all it takes to start the download, making this one of the best ways to share your apps.

Recruitment

One revolutionary use for QR codes has been spearheaded by SKECHERS: recruitment QR codes. By linking job listings or descriptions to QR codes, companies make the hiring process much easier for themselves and for their candidates.

Discounts and coupons

Everyone loves discounts. As a business owner, offering promos like this can easily boost sales and make you the go-to brand for the kind of goods you sell.

Offer these promos in a QR code, and you’ve just created an engaging way to claim discounts.

Using a text, URL, or File QR code solution, you can give your customers instant access to great deals.

Customer support

When seeking customer support for a product, many people would often look up the brand’s support hotline and start dialing. Others would look for their email or website and contact them from there. However, there’s a faster method of providing this kind of support.

Using an SMS QR code, you can provide customer support in a convenient and efficient manner.

Email marketing

A form of marketing that has stood the test of time, email marketing has found a use for email QR codes by using them to get customers to register and subscribe. An email QR code generator would be very helpful for this.

With these details, marketers can send relevant emails regarding goods and services the customer might be interested in.

Audio marketing

This form of marketing promotes your brand using music and other sounds. With an MP3 QR code, you can include audio recordings of product descriptions in your promotions.

Display it in an obvious place to connect your customers to your product and your brand.

Global marketing campaigns

When it comes to business, the entire world is your market. This is why you should promote your goods and services to a wider audience if you can.

Fortunately, there is a QR code solution that can make this happen: the Multi-URL QR code. With this solution, you can direct users to different links depending on the conditions they meet.

These conditions include:

location
number of scans
language
time
geofencing

Top industries for QR code applications

While QR codes are making their mark across the world, here are the top industries that make the most use of these 2D barcodes:

Retail

Barcodes were created to speed up checkout processes at retail stores. Since QR codes are just two-dimensional barcodes, the retail industry naturally gravitates toward using them.

In fact, using a QR code for products allows retailers to pack a treasure trove of information into a small square.

Logistics

Keeping track of goods along the global supply chain is essential to any business. For this reason, the logistics industry has been making great use of QR codes thanks to their data capacity and scannability.

Healthcare

Information is very important in the healthcare industry, which is why QR codes have also found a home here.

Patient information can be encoded onto QR codes for instant access when needed. A hospital’s inventory can be tracked easily when labeled with QR codes. Instructional videos and manuals can be embedded in them for the benefit of patients as well.

The use of QR codes in healthcare surged during the COVID-19 pandemic when they were used for contact tracing.

Transportation

If there’s any industry that needs to operate efficiently, it’s the transportation industry. Thanks to the efficiency and convenience that QR codes bring, the industry has welcomed this technology with open arms.

This industry typically uses QR codes for tickets or boarding passes in public transportation like trains. They’ve even been used to pay for fares without paying with cash.

Marketing

Over the years, marketing teams from numerous brands have come up with some of the best QR code marketing campaigns in the world.

From the ads with a scannable QR code to a giant one made by flying drones, these black-and-white squares have become creative ways of encouraging curiosity and engagement to customers.

Hospitality

The hospitality industry involves services that can be found in hotels, restaurants, events, and tourism.

Since these involve a ton of information from visitors and service providers, the industry has also adopted QR codes.

Education

With their ability to store vast amounts of information in a small space, is it really a surprise that QR codes in the classroom are a real thing?

With QR codes, teachers can distribute learning materials in a paperless and convenient way. They can also be used to gather feedback or take attendance. Lastly, teachers can create interactive activities with students to make learning fun and engaging.

What are the benefits of using QR codes?

There are several reasons why several industries are adopting the use of QR codes. Let’s go over each one below:

Convenience

The first and foremost benefit of QR codes is their convenience. After all, this was the end goal of Masahiro Hara, the inventor of the QR code.

A ton of information can be accessed in a small package with only one scan with a smartphone camera. This allows everyone to save time and effort when trying to learn something, freeing them to do other tasks.

Cost-effectiveness

Instead of printing several copies of the information you want to share, why not store them in one QR code, print it many times, and place them in accessible locations instead?

This saves you printing costs while also optimizing communications with your audience.

Error-free

Have you ever tried manually typing an entire URL address to access a website? If you try to do it perfectly, you’ll find yourself typing slowly. If you do it quickly, you’re very likely to make a mistake.

How about typing the password to get access to a WiFi network? Sure, you’re more likely to get it right than not. But the chance of making a mistake is still there, especially when you are distracted.

QR codes are great ways to provide information error-free. The data is untouchable when embedded in the code, so no one will ever make a mistake when gaining access to it.

Improved security

Accessing and providing information can be risky, especially for those unfamiliar with proper data management. Thankfully, QR codes themselves can’t be hacked, so the data stored there is safe to share.

Additionally, encrypted data can be encoded into QR codes, making information even more secure.

Lastly, the best QR code platforms comply with several standards and regulations like ISO 27001 and GDPR regulations. This means that any information provided to QR codes is protected.

Increased engagement

QR codes make accessing information engaging by having your audience interact with your business in a way that rewards them for their efforts.

What’s more, you can make a landing page that keeps their attention and leaves a lasting impression of your business on their minds.

Scan tracking and analytics

With a dynamic QR code generator, you gain access to scan analytics, which allows you to keep track of metrics like the number of QR code scans and their locations.

Through this information, you can improve your current marketing campaign and prepare for your future ones.

Stronger online presence

QR codes instantly bring the digital world to your audience. By making this connection easier, you can increase the traffic your website gets and possibly convert leads to sales.

Different ways to scan QR codes

Remember the answer to “What does QR mean in a QR code?” Well, we’re about to cover the different methods of quickly accessing information from this type of barcode.

Using a barcode reader

The original way of scanning QR codes, these devices are designed to read and decode the information stored within.

Scanning with your smartphone’s camera

Nowadays, most smartphones can scan QR codes without the support of third-party applications. This allows users to access the data inside QR codes by opening their camera app or using a first-party app like Google Lens.

Downloading a QR code scanning app

If your phone doesn’t have a native QR code scanning function, several third-party applications can still do this for you. Simply go to your phone’s official app store and search for one, and you will be scanning QR codes in no time!

QR TIGER: Your go-to provider for all QR code needs

QR codes are slowly becoming a staple in any business’s communications with its audience. Their versatility and effectiveness make them flexible in whatever way a brand applies them.

From creative marketing to facilitating cashless payments, the humble QR code has made business faster and more convenient, to the benefit of both business owners and consumers.

After reviewing the most popular QR code uses and industries using them, you will need a reliable platform to create your codes.

With our ISO-certified platform, you can generate customizable dynamic QR codes for your businesses. We offer over 17 QR code solutions for any use case you need. We are also GDPR and CCPA-compliant.

Power up your business with QR code technology by signing up today!