6 Ways to Use QR Codes on Your Storefront

MARCH 18, 2021| SpeedPro

When you’re looking to grow your business in these unprecedented times, one of the best pandemic small business ideas is to use Quick Response (QR) codes on your storefront graphics and signage. During the COVID-19 pandemic, online business has flourished, but many businesses that had primarily offered their products or services in person have had to pivot. A QR code on a storefront window is a great contactless way to send customers to a webpage where they can have a virtual experience with that business.

With the potential for QR codes to help you grow your business, find out more about what they are and how you can use them effectively.

What Is QR Code Signage?

QR code signage incorporates a 2D barcode-style image onto graphics or signs that people can scan with their smartphones. These codes let companies quickly link potential customers to online resources using traditional signage options.

How to Use QR Codes on Your Storefront

Stores can display QR codes in many different ways, such as using window clings to promote a business or an A-frame sign to advertise a special. QR codes are incredibly versatile, as they fit on several types of signage and can serve various purposes. From linking customers to contactless menus and webpages to providing people with coupons and recipe ideas, small businesses can use QR codes in many ways to draw in more people.

If you’re interested in using QR codes at your storefront, check out the top six ways to display a QR code with signage or graphics:

1. Contactless Menus

If you run a restaurant and are looking for contactless menu ideas, you may want to consider adding QR codes to your window clings or other storefront graphics. As people walk by your restaurant, they can scan your QR code and immediately have your menu pop up on their smartphones. Instead of having to ask for a physical menu, customers have a safer and more convenient option to review your menu before they decide to come inside.

Additionally, pairing these QR codes with attractive graphics can draw more people to your restaurant. When people eat at your restaurant, indoor and outdoor signage with QR codes can make it so the customer never has to touch a physical menu.

2. Waitlists and Takeout Orders

Another great way you can use QR codes at restaurants, coffee shops or cafes is for waitlists and takeout orders. With the COVID-19 pandemic, you likely have to restrict seating inside your building or only offer it outside. More restricted seating can lead to longer waitlists, and you can configure QR codes to show how many parties are currently waiting. Once a potential customer checks the waitlist, they can signup for it on their phone.

Besides displaying waitlists, you can place QR codes on signage to link people immediately to an ordering page. As soon as a customer scans the QR code, they can access your entire takeout menu and make an order. Combining takeout orders and QR codes can draw people to your establishment, allowing them to purchase your food or drinks with as little in-person interaction as possible.

3. Webpages

Getting customers to your website is especially important in the time of COVID-19, especially if you sell products and services online. A potential customer passing by your store may not feel comfortable coming inside. With a QR code sign or graphic on your storefront, they can pull up your website and make an order without ever setting foot in your store.

4. Social Media Accounts

Similar to linking potential customers or clients to your webpage, you can also use QR codes to connect people to your social media accounts. If you’re in the retail space or operate another business that shows off its products or services online, getting people to follow your social media handles can be huge for your success. Gaining more followers can help you grow brand awareness and make more people aware of your newest business offerings at no cost to you.

When you implement a QR code on a storefront sign or graphic, anyone with a smartphone can scan it and have your social media accounts at their fingertips, making it easy for them to follow you. Since you only have to pay for the sign, you can build your social media presence in a more cost-effective manner without having to spend as much money on online marketing.

5. Coupons and Discounts

Another great use of QR codes for businesses is the inclusion of coupons and discounts. A customer can scan your code and pull up a discount they can use in your store. These coupons and discounts can be an excellent incentive for customers and help bring them in the door. Displaying a QR code window cling or sign at your storefront with attractive images and text that encourage them to use the discounts at your store can be eyecatching and translate to increased sales.

6. Recipe or Other Purchasing Ideas

If you run a grocery store, you can install QR codes outside and inside your store to provide shoppers with recipe ideas. Once a shopper scans the QR codes, they can browse a few of your store’s recommended recipes and information on the ingredients they’ll need to make it. For instance, you could place a QR sign at the front of your store encouraging shoppers to check out your five favorite recipes.

Similarly, retail stores can use QR codes to make suggestions about what they should pair their purchases with. For example, a clothing store might have a QR code that links to a page providing outfit ideas or showing what pairs well with a specific piece of clothing. A craft store could link to different project ideas and the necessary supplies.

Choose SpeedPro for Your QR Code Graphics and Signs

Whether it be e-commerce, curbside shopping, joining a limited-capacity restaurant waiting list or ordering takeout, there are plenty of clever ways QR codes can be useful for businesses of all sizes. With all of the ways to display QR codes in your business, you may want to turn to a company specializing in producing high-quality signs and graphics. As the national leader in large-format printing, SpeedPro is ready to bring your vision to life.

With our experience producing QR code signage, we can craft high-quality, attractive graphics for your specific needs. If you want to add QR codes to your graphics and signs, find and contact your local Speedpro studio. They’ll be happy to give you a free quote and provide you with any information you need.