How to Use QR Codes on Billboards and Make It Interactive

QR codes on billboards have become a major part of ads that are used to direct the 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 brands.

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 to their printing materials while allowing them to track their ROI results.

So how to use it? Let’s find out how you can upgrade your campaign on a billboard with QR code technology and how these pixels can make a difference.

What is a QR code, and how does a QR code on a billboard make a difference?

The QR code technology is known to provide better customer engagement. If you want to maximize your campaign, it's high time to upgrade your billboard with QR code technology.

A billboard with QR codes can catch the passer-bys’ fleeting attention. This allows them to scan the billboard QR code 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 on 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.

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.

Calvin Klein

A few years back, Calvin Klein 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

Victoria’s Secret brand launched its “Sexier than Skin” campaign with a QR code on its billboard ads, which aims 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!

BTS QR code

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.

How to make a customized QR codes on billboards

• Go to QR TIGER QR code generator online
• 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

The basics of QR code

There may be many QR code types you can generate, such as 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 a dynamic QR code for a billboard, 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 they scanned from, the time when they can, their location, and the device they use, as shown in the image below.

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, this dynamic QR code generator lets you generate a custom HTML QR code.

Do not confuse your QR code implementation.

Do not forget to add a call to action to your QR code

Always remember to put a call to action when you print a billboard with QR codes.

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 message of your QR code. They will take action and scan the billboard QR code.

For example, you can put a call to action that says, “Scan Me” or “Scan to watch a video!”

Set the correct QR code billboard size

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 used on billboards, are a great way to reach a wider audience.

Billboard with QR codes helps advertisers measure their advertising success better!

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 question

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 campaigns.