How to Use QR Codes in Your Marketing Strategy
QR codes are making a comeback. Learn how to use them effectively in print materials, events, packaging, and digital campaigns.
Brevr Team
QR codes have evolved from a novelty to a marketing essential. With smartphone cameras natively supporting QR scanning, the barrier to entry has never been lower.
Why QR Codes Work
QR codes bridge the physical and digital worlds. They turn any physical surface — a poster, business card, product package, or billboard — into a clickable link.
The key advantage: **you can track every scan.** With Brevr's QR codes, every scan is recorded as a click with full analytics including location, device, and time.
Best Use Cases
Print Materials
Add QR codes to brochures, flyers, and business cards. Link to landing pages, contact forms, or product demos.
Product Packaging
Place QR codes on product labels to link to instruction manuals, warranty registration, or review pages.
Events & Conferences
Use QR codes on event badges, booth signage, and presentation slides for instant access to resources.
Restaurant Menus
Replace physical menus with QR code links to digital menus that are easy to update.
Retail & In-Store
Place QR codes near products to link to detailed specs, comparison guides, or exclusive online discounts.
Design Tips for Better QR Codes
**Size matters.** Ensure your QR code is large enough to scan reliably. As a rule, the scanning distance should be about 10x the QR code's width.
**Contrast is key.** Dark patterns on light backgrounds scan best. Avoid low-contrast color combinations.
**Add a call to action.** Don't just place a QR code — add text like "Scan to learn more" or "Scan for 20% off."
**Test before printing.** Always test your QR code with multiple devices before sending to print.
Dynamic vs Static QR Codes
**Static QR codes** encode the URL directly. Once printed, the destination can never change.
**Dynamic QR codes** (like Brevr's) encode a short link that redirects to your destination. This means you can change the destination URL without reprinting the QR code — a huge advantage for physical materials.
Tracking QR Code Performance
With Brevr, QR code scans are tracked separately from direct link clicks. You can see:
- Total scans vs. unique scans
- Geographic breakdown of scanners
- Device types (which phones scan most)
- Time-of-day patterns
- Referrer data when scanned from apps
This data helps you understand which physical placements drive the most engagement.