Ron Goldblatt • October 7, 2020
5 Ways Small Businesses are Using QR Codes to Build Customer Traffic Amid COVID-19
QR Codes are creating a positive customer experience in 2020.
As local businesses pioneer new ways to foster business growth while continuing to adapt to the new world of COVID-19, many are finding QR codes to be a key driver in creating a safe, technology-powered customer experience.
While QR codes have been around for years, they have proved exceptionally valuable in 2020 because of one key factor that spotlights them specifically during a global pandemic: you do not have to touch anything to use them. Not to mention, when they were first introduced in the 90’s, not as many people had smartphones…fast forward to 2020 and 81% of U.S. adults have them.
There are 2 main reasons for this increased in use:
- Over the last two years, both iPhone and Android phones changed the software so the camera becomes a QR code reader, so users do not have to download an app to read the codes.
- They are easy to use, easy to share, mobile friendly, and most importantly touch-free, which makes them a great way to make customers both happy and comfortable.
“About a year ago, we started to see an increase in use and acceptance of QR codes once a person’s phone became the reader, but this Spring their use exploded with the need for no-touch menus and other no-touch services.” We have modified many of our programs to capitalize on this trend and are excited about how we can help our local businesses”, said Ron Goldblatt, the Founder of NorthShore Loyalty.
At NorthShore Loyalty, we have outlined below the top five ways small businesses in the North Shore are using QR codes and how they have found success with doing so.
No-touch menus
In a “new era of dining out”, QR codes are the stars of the show when it comes to creating a safe, germ-mitigated environment. Do you know how many germs are on an average menu? According to one study, “menus have bacteria counts as high as 185,000 per square centimeter – far more than a dish towel or bathroom handle.” QR codes solve that problem, which is why restaurants consider them a saving grace.
NorthShore Loyalty has taken this menu one stop further and offers the ability for the customer to sign up to a text program, so the business can stay connected with that customer even after they leave the restaurant.
Links to websites
As retailers reopen, they have been using QR codes to help customers get info with less contact. Website linking can be used in several ways, it just depends on what your goal is. Some examples include:
- Restaurants linking to their online menu
- Restaurants linking to an online order page (can do this in the restaurant as well, so the customer does not have to touch the bill or receipts after the meal)
- Retailers linking to an online shopping order on their website
- Linking the QR code to leave reviews (read how Amazon does this)
- Professional services linking to a Check-In platform (shown below)
- Restaurants setting up a QR code at the front of their entrance to link to a Reservation Check-In
- Including a QR code on a business card that links to the small business or individual’s website or portfolio
Builds email database of names
The most successful way customers are driving new customers into their store is by offering them a special offer and loyalty discounts through social media, in store, or through your neighborhood’s community text program, powered by NorthShore Loyalty.
Having the email of the consumer opens the door for the restaurant or retailer to stay connected with the consumer through updates and special offers.
Text messaging
QR codes work well to also reinforce small business text marketing strategies. For example, with our mobile community program, we can set up QR codes in store or digitally so that you can share them via your social media so that the consumer can be entered in the mobile program while also building the customer database.
This strategy has proven to have a 98% open rate (almost all texts sent are read by the recipient), can have an unlimited amount of characters, and high conversion rates.
Call to order
Several small businesses are seeing high conversion rates with a “Call to Order” QR code. There are several ways this can be implemented depending on your business, but here are some examples of opportunities where you could do this:
- Flyers and posters around town promoting a restaurant’s special with a QR code that customers can quickly call and order from
- Digital promotions on social media that customers simply hover over and call
- A restaurant or retailer using this to both order their food and pay without having to touch a check or receipts (shown in photo)
What will be next in QR code development?
While COVID-19 sparked up a reason for businesses to lean into QR codes, there is reason to believe this is just the beginning of a new way of swiping, scanning, ordering and browsing. In fact, Juniper Research indicates that 5.3 billion QR code coupons will be scanned by smartphones and 1 billion smartphones will access QR codes by 2022.
With this forecasting in mind, trailblazer companies like Apple, Amazon, and several QSRs are already taking great strides in developing outside-of-the-box ways they can use QR codes to make things faster, easier, and ultimately more customer-friendly.
All in all, we expect QR codes to become more and more of the norm in the “new COVID-19 world” and will continue to thrive post-pandemic.
About NorthShore Loyalty
NorthShore Loyalty is a community-focused digital services company. Our business purpose is to create measurable engagement with new and existing customers to drive more traffic to our clients and increase their revenue. Our social purpose is to amplify our client’s community involvement.
Our business is active in the community with the Hunger Resource Network as we co-lead the program to make Northbrook a Hunger Free Community. When a client has an important cause to share or they want to engage in the community in some way, we make that happen authentically and effectively.
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Own a Small Business? Click Here to view a wide offering of blogs to navigate the digital world. The most important thing we have learned during Coronavirus is how to come together in times of crisis. Everyone plays a part in fighting this thing, big or small. Whether your role is being a frontline healthcare worker, or simply staying home to keep yourself and others safe, everyone’s due diligence is significantly needed at this time. Local restaurant owners understand that coming together as a community is needed now more than ever. To show their support, they are finding unique ways to give back to those in need and provide meals for folks in our area. To learn more on what restaurants in the North Shore are doing to support their community during this time, we called the many restaurants using our services and asked for their input. Below are some of the different ways we learned on how they are giving back and what all residents and other businesses can do to help in this crisis. Providing meals to first responders and local essential business Restaurants are offering promotions to give back to first responders in the area during this time. For example, Nick Drivas, owner of Grill House and Backyard Grill, runs a family special that gives a portion of sale to first responders. Costa Louvros, owner of Eggspresso in Bannockburn, and Larry Goodman, owner of Marcello’s in Northbrook, also understand the importance of giving back to our frontline workers. Both restaurants donate to local police and fire departments so those workers can stay working during the pandemic. The staff at Stacked and Folded (located in Evanston and Winnetka) also does their part to provide meals for our first responders. “We are honored to help our first responders and health care workers in any way we can,” stated Josh Keating owner of Stacked and Folded. Restaurants are also finding businesses that are considered essential and are giving to them. Butterfield’s restaurant in Northbrook, for example, provides plates of French toast to the workers at the local post office. Offering promotions that give to local food banks With business and school closures, job layoffs, and many other factors, folks are in need now more than ever. During this pandemic, millions of Americans are looking for support from food banks. Ted Vlahakis, owner of Greek Feast, recognizes this fact. That’s why he gives back 50 percent of all beer and wine orders to the Northfield Township Food Pantry. No one should go hungry during this pandemic, and this is a great way to ensure those in need are fed. Marcello’s has also donated juices and food items to Northfield Township Food Pantry. “It’s important to connect with our community during this time and we could tell they were very appreciative of our help,” said Marcello’s owner Larry Goodman. How you can help: Greek Feast and Marcello’s are supporting those who need it most. You can help by purchasing beer and wine from Greek Feast with your Greek dinner, and ordering some pizza online from Marcello’s. Visit the Greek Feast and Marcello’s websites, linked at the bottom, to order online today. Additionally, food pantries in your neighborhood are in need of cereals, beverages, personal hygiene items and household cleaning supplies. None of this should be wasted right now. Visit the websites below to see how you can help today. Northfield Township Food Pantry Northern Illinois Food Bank Greater Chicago Food Depository North Shore SDA Church Feeding America Donating food to local hospitals Our healthcare workers are on the forefront in the race to put an end to COVID-19. While many of us get to stay home and be with family, hospital workers are on the floors of the war against this virus. As they are working long and difficult shifts, it’s important we show our support and take care of them. Judy’s Pizza, Tamales, Stacked and Folded and Butterfield’s are all donating to and offering special promotions for their local hospitals in the North Shore. One Highland Park resident encourages her friends and family to use GiveinKind.com to help support both restaurants and local first hospitals. “We sent meals for Highland Park Hospital last night from our favorite restaurant, Tamales,” she said. “[Give in Kind] makes it very east to support the restaurants we love and the first responders.” You can also help by donating protective equipment to a hospital near you. Unfortunately, those fighting this virus have to face shortages in masks and other key equipment. You can help by donating protective masks and gloves to hospitals in your area. Visit NorthShore.org to learn more on donating. Providing food for families with school-aged children Our nation’s most vulnerable need us right now. Unfortunately, the closure of school means kids are losing meals they depend on. With the help of Judy’s Pizza donating meals to local school children, and initiatives through local volunteer programs, we can help put an end to child hunger in our community. Through the Hunger Free Northbrook Student Program, volunteers distribute food bags to Northbrook families with school-age children in need of more meals. In this time especially, the need is great. Visit the Hunger Free Northbrook Student Food Pack Program for more details. How you can help You can help by becoming a volunteer through local initiatives that provide meals for school children, such as the Hunger Free Northbrook program. Visit the link above to sign up to be a volunteer. Additionally, support all restaurants who provide meals for local schools and support their community. North Shore Loyalty is proud to be a sponsor of Hunger Free Northbrook. To see what all the restaurants mentioned in this update are doing, visit their website and order online. Own a Small Business? Click Here to view a wide offering of blogs to navigate the digital world . __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Let’s fight COVID-19 together Everyone plays a part in fighting this virus, big or small. What’s important to keep in mind is that the more we fight together, the stronger our community becomes in the war against Coronavirus. As a member of our community, you can help by supporting local restaurants, donating to their causes and volunteering. Below are their websites and Facebook pages with special promotions. Let’s all come together and give our support. Backyard Grill (Highland Park, IL), Facebook Butterfield's (Northbrook, IL), Facebook Dear Franks (Deerfield, IL; Niles, IL), Facebook Eggspresso (Bannockburn, IL), Facebook Greek Feast (Northbrook, IL), Facebook Grill House (Northbrook, IL), Facebook Judy’s Pizza (Highland Park, IL), Facebook Marcello’s (Northbrook, IL), Facebook Stacked & Folded (Winnetka IL, Evanston, IL) Facebook Tamales (Highland Park, IL), Facebook