How to Use QR Codes on Billboards and Make It Interactive
Last updated:
March 17, 2023
QR codes on billboards have become a major part of ads that is used to direct audience to online information when scanned.
In fact, some famous brands like Calvin Klein, Victoria's Secret, and many others have already used this marketing technology to attract more customers to their brand.
QR codes are not only used in posters, magazines, product packaging, or even for online displays.
Instead of just hanging a plain, lifeless billboard, marketers made the most out of QR codes by adding a digital element into their printing materials, while allowing them to track their ROI result.
What is a QR code, and how does it make a difference when printed on billboards?
Over the years, marketers and advertisers found a better way to use and integrate QR codes in billboard advertisements.
The QR code technology is known to provide better customer engagement.
QR codes on billboards have been used a lot to catch the passer-bys’ fleeting attention. This allows them to scan the QR code seen on billboards to get the online information of the ad.
Marketers have seen a considerable advantage in using QR codes on billboards as this allows scanners to connect to online information.
When all of the data cannot be made available in one space, the QR code technology surely comes in handy.
Unlike the barcode that only encrypts a particular product’s numerical information, a QR code uses four standardized encoding modes (numeric, alphanumeric, byte/binary, and kanji) to store data efficiently and effectively.
The QR code has many solutions for a specific file type you want to convert into a QR code before you place it in a billboard.
You can generate a QR code for your website, a QR code for a video, a QR code for PDF, or even make your own web page using an HTML QR code without the need to buy a domain or hosting.
You can embed any types of information you want and convert it into a QR code.
But of course, you have to look for the specific QR code solution that corresponds to the type of information you want to generate into a QR.
There may be many QR code types you can generate, such as from URL, Social media QR code, App stores QR code, WIFI QR code, and so on; however, these QR code solutions can only be generated in a static or dynamic form. Now, what is the difference between the two?
Static QR code
Static QR code does not allow you to change your URL destination to another landing page.
For example, if you have generated a URL QR code in static mode, you cannot change your previous landing page’s URL address to a new landing page. It is already permanent.
That being said, it is not ideal to use a static QR code when you print it on billboards, especially if you are doing it for marketing purposes.
Dynamic QR code
When you generate your solution in a dynamic mode, you can update or change your QR code points.
For instance, if you have generated a URL QR code for your billboard, you can edit your QR code and redirect your current information to another data or landing page.
Furthermore, you can also track your QR code scans or set up a QR code tracking system to see the demographics of your scanners such as where do they scanned from, the time when they can, their location, and the device they use as shown in the image below.
Brands that are using QR codes on billboard displays
Many brands have already integrated the power of QR codes into their billboard advertising to increase engagement with the user.
To name a few, these are just some of the well-known brands that have used QR codes in their marketing campaign.
A few years back, Calvin Klein has incorporated QR codes on their billboards with a bright red QR code and a bold call to action that says “Get It Uncensored.”
Passersby can use their smartphones to snap a picture, which will pull up an exclusive, 40-second commercial featuring models Lara Stone, “AJ,” Sid Ellisdon, and many others.
After the spot plays, viewers can then share the code with their social media accounts.
Victoria's Secret
The world’s leading lingerie company and manufacturer of beauty products have upgraded the meaning of sex appeal advertising to a whole new level!
Victoria’s Secret brand launched its “Sexier than Skin” campaign with a QR code on their billboard ads, which aim to entice people to scan their QR codes!
The customers will then be redirected to a landing page that shows the brand’s latest lingerie collection!
One of the most popular South Korean boy band groups is allowing their fans to access them using a BTS QR code
When the QR code is scanned, it will lead the fans to the BTS website called the “Armypedia” that compiles all of the video and memory archives of the boy band group!
Time Magazine
The TIME Magazine QR Code billboard advertisement near Times Square in New York City links readers to additional (non-mobile) web content.
Select the type of QR code solution you want to generate
Switch from static to dynamic
Customize your QR code
Do a scan test
Download and deploy
How to make your QR code marketing on billboards successful
QR code per type of solution
There should only be 1 QR code per solution.
There are various types of QR codes for specific solutions.
For example, if you want to convert your website into a QR code, then you can generate a URL QR code.
If you want to create a QR code webpage without having to buy your own domain or hosting, then you can generate an HTML QR code. Do not confuse your QR code implementation.
Do not forget to add a call to action in your QR code
A QR code without a call to action is like a body without a soul; they should be integrated together.
A Call to action gives an idea or a message to your scanners what is the behind message of your QR code. They will take action and scan your QR code.
For example, you can put a call-to-action that says “Scan Me” or “Scan to watch a video!”
Since you will be printing your QR code in the size of a billboard, people will be scanning your QR code from a far distance, so make sure it’s big and readable enough.
Strategic placement of your QR code
Make your QR code from a billboard size as large and noticeable enough as possible. Make it the center of attention.
The landing page of your QR code should be mobile-friendly
Since QR codes are designed to be scanned by smartphone devices. So always make your landing page easy to load for smartphone users.
Always use a dynamic QR code
Dynamic QR codes will allow you to update your QR code without having to reprint another QR code.
This means, that even if you have mistakenly had an error, you can just quickly correct them using a dynamic QR code.
Use QR codes on billboards now
QR codes on outdoor advertising, especially when you used on billboards is a great way to reach a wider audience.
QR codes on billboards help advertisers to better measure their advertising success!
With their ability to track the QR code scans in a dynamic form, marketers will see a better ROI using the QR code technology.
Frequently asked questions
Can you put a QR code on a billboard?
You can definitely put a QR code on a billboard to allow your scanners or the passers-by to get the online information of a product or service you are advertising.
Putting QR codes on billboards is the new way marketers are advertising their campaign.
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