QR Code Tracking: Make Your Marketing Strategy Better

Say you’re a marketer and you’re doing print media promotions to market a product.

Before starting the campaign, you made some goals. And you want to analyze whether you’ve met them or not. Gauging conversions is important to understand your audience after all.

But how do you track conversions for a print media campaign? Can you track how many people saw your ad or responded to it by taking action?

Well, you can actually do that. You just need a QR Code tracking feature. Keep reading to know-how.

A. How to track conversions for print media

When you hand out promotional material to your target audience, you want them to take action. It could be anything such as visiting a website, following you on social media, or downloading an app.

And there are two ways to track how many people actually responded to your promotions:

1. Via a weblink and Google Analytics

Say your end goal is to get the target audience to visit your website.  Here you can just add your website link on promotional material such as flyers, brochures, and banners.

To track how many people actually took action, you can customize the link. How? By adding tracking parameters. Tools such as Campaign URL Builder help you do this.

You can then set up Google Analytics to monitor exactly how many people visited your website.

Though you’ll be able to track your conversions this way, there’s a problem. To visit your website, people will have to pull out their phones to open the browser, tediously type the entire link, and finally visit the website.

This is a long process and needs effort. And to be honest, many people will simply not put in the effort.

So what you should do here is—make it easier for them to respond.

Related : QR Code For Link

2. Via a QR Code

You know what a QR Code is. It is a 2D barcode that stores alphanumeric information.

You can use it for multiple use cases. For example—getting people to visit your website, watch a video, see an image, listen to an audio file, download a PDF, or download an app.

A QR Code is actionable too. People just need to scan it using their smartphone and they’re good to go.

And it also helps you monitor your conversion. How? By QR Code tracking. Yes, that means you can track how many people have scanned it, when they scan it, and what device they used to do it.

A dynamic QR Code helps you do it.

Here’s a quick video guide to give you a snapshot of all that QR Code tracking can do:

B. Dynamic QR Codes

Based on how the target data (such as text or a URL) is stored, QR Codes are of two types—static and dynamic.

The data is directly encoded into a static QR Code. And it is permanent in nature. That means once you create it, you cannot edit it. To do that, you’ll have to create a new QR Code altogether. And a static QR Code doesn’t allow you to track its scanning activity either.

On the other hand, the data is never directly stored in a dynamic QR Code. It only stores a short URL that takes the end-users to the actual data.

Hence, a dynamic QR Code is both editable and trackable. Lets understand what it means.

1. Editable

It means that once you create the QR, you can edit the data anytime you want. Yet your QR Code will remain the same.

The editable feature is particularly advantageous in scenarios where information needs to change regularly. 

Marketing campaigns, promotions, and event details are common use cases where dynamic QR codes shine, enabling businesses and organizations to adapt their data dynamically. 

2. Trackable

The trackable capability of QR codes, especially dynamic ones, opens a window into user interactions and provides valuable analytics.

And you can also monitor its scanning activity. For example—how many people have scanned your QR Code, where did they do it from, or when did they do it.

Say you start a QR Code campaign to give away discount coupons to your audience. As your campaign ends, you no longer want the QR Code to work. In such cases, a dynamic QR Code also helps you deactivate it.

You now know what dynamic QR Codes are. Let’s now discuss what QR Code tracking is and how it works.

C. What is QR Code tracking

QR code tracking refers to the use of QRs to monitor and trace various activities or items. QR codes are two-dimensional barcodes that can store information such as text, URLs, or other data. 

QR code tracking utilizes these codes to gather and manage data related to the movement, location, or status of objects or processes.

QR Code tracking provides you with detailed analytics. And here are the two types of tracking QR Code offers:

1. Scan tracking

QR Code scan tracking provides you meaningful insights. For example—the number of scans, scans by time, GPS location, device, and browser.

You can then understand where your target audience is. What is the best time to reach out to them? Which mobile and browser do they use?

2. Event tracking

Event tracking helps you gain valuable insights into your target audience. It tells you how people interact with the content encoded in the QR Code after scanning it. For example, it could be clicking on a button that says ‘Sign-up’ or ‘Register Now’.

This feature allows you to track the number of clicks and engagement rate on actionable elements. They are available on QR Codes that offer customized landing pages. For example:

• Custom Page QR Code
• Product QR Code
• VCard QR Code
• Social Media QR Code

This data will help you know what you’re doing right and what improvements you need to make in the future.

D. How does QR Code tracking work

When a dynamic QR Code is scanned, the scanning device sends a request to the linked server or database, retrieving real-time information associated with the code. 

This interaction is logged and tracked, capturing data such as the time, location, and device information of each scan. 

The tracking feature is instrumental for businesses and organizations seeking to understand user engagement, measure the success of marketing campaigns, or monitor the movement of assets. 

Through detailed analytics, organizations can make informed decisions based on user behavior and preferences, enhancing the overall effectiveness of QR Code implementations.

E. What data can I get via QR Code tracking

QR Code tracking tools usually provide data based on parameters such as:

• Number of scans
• Date and time of scan
• Location of the scan

Using Scanova QR Code generator for a demo, here’s what all data you can monitor:

1. Analytical data via your Scanova account

It allows you to monitor the data based on the following parameters:

a. Total Visits

It helps you see the total number of times your QR Code has been scanned for a specified time frame.

b. Scans by time period

It is a much more comprehensive analysis. Here you can see the number of visits for a day, a week, or a month for a specified time period.

c. Scans by QR Code/ tags

Say you’re using different QR Codes as a part of a single campaign. To help you distinguish between their individual performance, you can assign them different names and tags. Doing this will help you monitor their scanning activity individually without any hassle.

d. Demographics

Demographics help you to see where your QR Code has been scanned from. Here you can get details such as nation, state, and city of scans.

e. Visits by exact geolocation

It helps you track the exact GPS location of each scan. That means you’ll get to know the location coordinates, full address, and zip code information for every scan. So QR Codes are now frequently used in shipping and logistics to keep an eye on the movement of goods.

Note that this data will only be available if the end-user grants access to her location.

f. Visits by device

Here you can monitor which all devices were used to scan your QR Code. For example— mobiles, tablets, and PCs.

g. Operating system and browser

This option helps you track the operating system of the device used to scan the QR Code. It includes iOS, Android, Linux, and others.

Further, you can also track which browser was used to scan the QR Code. For example— Mobile Safari, Chrome Mobile, Chrome, and Twitterbot.

As the name suggests, it allows you to see which handsets your target audience use. For example—iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, and Nokia.

h. Handset

You can get this data by logging in to your Scanova account. And you can also export it in XLS and PDF formats.

2. Analytical event tracking data

It allows you to monitor the data based on the following parameters:

a. Engagement rate

The engagement rate gives you a brief insight into your audience. It is the percentage of total actions (clicks) to the total scans received on all selected QR Codes within a particular period.

b. Total engagement 

This option helps you track the total number of scans and the total number of events. Events are clicks on buttons such as ‘Sign-Up’, ‘Register Now’, or ‘Click Here’. On the other hand, the total number of scans includes only those that had event tracking enabled.

c. Engagement by QR Code

This option helps keep track of a particular event via Tracking ID. You can set up a tracking ID on your own when creating the QR Code.

3. Data tracking using integrations

It helps you make the tracking process easier. How?

You don’t have to log in to your Scanova account each time you want to monitor analytics.

You can simply use a third-party tool of your interest to do that. And Scanova allows you to integrate your data with two such tools:

a. Google Analytics

As discussed above, integrating the data with Google Analytics is quite convenient.

Just go to your Google Analytics account and get all the details that you need. No need to login to Scanova separately.

b. Webhooks

This option helps you define the target URL where you’d want to save the data. So we can say that Webhooks act as a bridge between the data and the software where you wish to save it.

For example, say your data is in JSON format. You can command it to a specific URL like Zapier.

You now know what QR Code tracking is and how it works. And now the question is—

F. How do I set-up QR Code tracking

To set up QR Code tracking for your campaign, you’ll have to follow these steps:

1. Create a QR Code

First, you’ll have to create a dynamic QR Code. And for that, you’ll need an online QR Code generator that allows scan tracking.

Now to find the best QR Code generator for your use case, you’ll have to compare the top ones. And that will take a lot of time.

Don’t worry. Here’s a detailed comparison chart of the top QR Code generators. You can go through it to find the best one for your use case.

Once you decide on which QR Code generator you’ll use, go ahead to create a QR Code.

2. Reach out to your target audience

Now that you’ve created the QR Code, add it to your promotional material. It could be flyers, banners, brochures, or magazines.

And make sure you follow QR Code best practices such as adding an appropriate instruction (call-to-action statement) with it. For example—Scan here to visit our website. It will convey to the audience what they need to do or what to expect after scanning the QR Code.

Finally, hand out the promotional material to your target audience. And wait for some time to gather the data.

3. Track analytics

To track the scanning activity, you’ll have to log in to your QR Code generator’s website.

Using Scanova for a demo, here’s how you can do it:

a. Login to your Scanova account

b. Go to the dashboard and click Analytics

c. Select the QR Code(s) along with the time period for which you want to monitor the analytics

d. Once done, click Get Analytics

That’s it. You’ll then be able to view the tracking data.

G. Benefits of using QR Code tracking feature

QR Code tracking features offer several benefits across various industries and applications. Here are some key advantages:

1. Real-time analytics

QR Code tracking provides real-time data on user interactions. Organizations can gain insights into user behavior, such as the time, location, and frequency of scans. 

This information is valuable for assessing the effectiveness of marketing campaigns, promotions, or event attendance.

2. Adaptability and editability

Dynamic QR Codes, with their editable nature, allow for easy updates to the linked content without changing the physical appearance of the code. 

This adaptability is useful for scenarios where information needs to be modified regularly, ensuring that the QR Code remains a relevant and up-to-date tool.

3. Enhanced marketing strategies

By tracking QR Code scans, businesses can evaluate the success of marketing strategies and tailor their approaches based on user engagement. 

Tracking helps you figure out what works and what doesn’t when it comes to conversion rate improvement. Campaign outcomes from various time periods, styles, marketing channels, and locations can be compared.

A/B testing allows you to determine which of two similar campaigns is more successful by comparing them. Comparing various marketing channels, graphic designs, marketing language, locations, colors, and even minor details like font type is possible. 

Generally speaking, minor adjustments can result in significant advancements. 

This data-driven approach helps in refining campaigns, optimizing content, and improving overall marketing effectiveness.

4. Inventory and asset management

QR Code tracking is beneficial for inventory and asset management. Each scan can update the status, location, or maintenance history of assets. 

This streamlines processes, reduces manual efforts, and provides a comprehensive view of inventory movements.

5. Improved user engagement

For events or promotions, QR Code tracking helps organizations understand attendee or customer engagement. 

This information allows for personalized follow-ups, targeted promotions, and improved customer relationship management based on individual interactions.

6. Efficient document and workflow management

In business environments, QR Code tracking assists in efficient document and workflow management. 

Scans can indicate the progress of a document through various stages, enhancing collaboration and ensuring that processes remain streamlined.

7. Cost-efficiency and automation

By automating tracking processes through QR Codes, organizations can reduce manual efforts and associated costs. 

This is particularly beneficial in industries where streamlined processes and efficiency are critical.

8. Customer feedback and surveys

QR Codes can link to surveys or feedback forms, allowing organizations to gather customer opinions or feedback easily. 

The tracking feature provides insights into the response rates and helps in making data-driven decisions for product or service improvements.

Here is a stunning use case:

A shopping mall in Singapore hired four life-sized QR Code mascots under its QR Code-based crusade. When scanned, it took people to a contest promo page. Their task was to like the Facebook page of the mall, VivoCity.

They used QR Code tracking to see the impact of their campaign. And they saw that the QR Code mascots received 8,618 scans. And the new likes generated on the mall’s Facebook page were 4,400. That means a conversion rate of 51%.

This helped them answer some questions easily. For example—Did we achieve our target? Did we meet the expectations or went beyond them? Which day was the conversion highest? From which handset were the maximum scans recorded.

H. Best practices: QR Code tracking

QR Code tracking refers to the practice of monitoring and collecting data on the usage of QR Codes. This data can be valuable for marketing, analytics, and user engagement purposes.

Here are some best practices for QR Code tracking:

1. Select a reliable QR Code generator

Start by choosing a reputable QR Code generator that offers tracking features. Ensure it provides detailed analytics and data on QR Code scans.

2. Set clear objectives

Before creating QR Codes, define your goals and what you want to achieve with tracking. Are you interested in measuring engagement, assessing campaign success, or gathering user information? Knowing your objectives will guide your tracking efforts.

3. Use UTM parameters

Incorporate UTM (Urchin Tracking Module) parameters into the URLs linked to your QR Codes. This enables you to track traffic sources, mediums, and campaigns more effectively using tools like Google Analytics.

4. Create unique QR Codes

Generate unique QR Codes for different campaigns, locations, or purposes. This allows you to track each QR Code’s performance individually and gather specific insights.

5. Customize QR Codes

Customize your QR Codes with labels or descriptions to help you easily identify them in your tracking reports. This is especially useful when managing multiple QR Codes simultaneously.

6. Use shortened URLs

Long URLs can make QR Codes more complex and difficult to scan. Use URL shorteners to create compact and scannable QR Codes, and keep track of them easily.

7. Securely store data

Ensure that any data collected from QR Code tracking is stored securely and complies with data privacy regulations, such as GDPR or CCPA.

8. Analyze user behavior

Examine the data collected from QR Code scans to understand user behavior. Track metrics like scan location, time of day, device type, and conversion rates to gain insights into user engagement.

9. Backup QR Code content

Always maintain backups of the content linked to your QR Codes. This ensures that even if there are issues with tracking data, you can still access and provide the intended content.

10. Respect user choice

If you collect user information through QR Code tracking, allow users to opt-out or provide consent in accordance with data protection laws.

11. Comply with legal regulations

Familiarize yourself with and adhere to local and international regulations regarding data collection, tracking, and user privacy.

I. FAQs: QR Code tracking

1. Can QR Codes be tracked?

Absolutely, QR Code, especially dynamic ones, can be tracked to monitor scanning activity. 

2. How to use the tracking data?

QR Code tracking is the process of monitoring and collecting data on the usage of QR Codes. 

The tracking data gives you valuable insights into:

1. How well your campaign has performed. Or simply—your conversion rate

2. The geographical location with maximum scans. It helps you focus on these regions for your future campaigns

3. Browser, operating system, and the handset commonly used by your audience. It helps you optimize your landing pages accordingly

4. Days and months when the scans were the highest. Using this data, you can schedule your campaigns at an appropriate time in future

5. How your audience interacts with the encoded content after scanning the QR Code

So, through tracking, you can analyze the output of your performance.

3. Why should I track QR Codes?

Tracking QR Codes provides valuable insights into user engagement, helps assess the success of marketing campaigns, and allows you to optimize your QR Code strategies based on real-time data.

4. How does QR Code tracking work?

QR Code tracking typically involves using a QR Code generator that offers tracking features. These generators generate unique QR Codes for different purposes and provide analytics on scans, including scan location, time, and device used.

5. What data can I track with QR Code tracking?

Common data tracked with QR Code tracking includes the number of scans, scan location, time of scan, device type, operating system, and the success rate of scans (whether they led to desired actions).

6. Is QR Code tracking secure and compliant with data privacy regulations?

QR Code tracking can be secure if proper data protection measures are in place. It’s important to comply with data privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA by collecting only necessary data, obtaining user consent when required, and ensuring data security.

7. What tools or software do I need for QR Code tracking?

You’ll need a QR Code generator that offers tracking features. Scanova’s QR Code Generator offers tracking features and more for all your needs.

8. Do I need technical expertise to set up QR Code tracking?

While some technical knowledge may be helpful, many QR Code generators with tracking features offer user-friendly interfaces that make it relatively easy to set up and use tracking.

9. Can I track multiple QR Codes simultaneously?

Yes, you can track multiple QR Codes simultaneously by generating unique QR Codes for different purposes or campaigns and monitoring them separately in your tracking reports.

10. What can I do with the data collected from QR Code tracking?

You can use the data to measure the success of your QR Code campaigns, understand user behavior, optimize marketing efforts, and make data-driven decisions to improve engagement and conversions.

11. Are there any privacy concerns with QR Code tracking?

Yes, privacy concerns can arise if you collect and store data without the user’s knowledge or consent. It’s important to be transparent about data collection practices and respect user privacy.

So if you’re a marketer looking forward to running print media campaigns, QR Codes are your way to go. They do not only make it easier for your audience to take action but also help you track your conversions.