6 Small Business Packaging Ideas with QR Codes

Did you know that around 72% of consumer’s buying decisions are influenced by a product’s packaging?

As a small business, we know that your funds are limited. Hence, it’s only natural if the figure above tempted you to go down the lane of attractive packaging, but the realization that you still have marketing and advertising costs to cover pulled you back.

But what if we told you that you can fulfill both desires without overstepping your budget boundaries? While it may sound unbelievable, QR codes can help you achieve this feat.

Embedding QR codes in their packaging is the secret sauce of both small and large-scale businesses.

In fact, this trend has received such a massive outpour of demand that QR code creation in the consumer-packaged goods industry experiences a yearly growth of 88%.

The best part is that there’s not just one but several different ways to market your offerings through product packaging.

Stay tuned as we explore six different small business packaging ideas to tap into the reach and engagement you were aiming for.

Top 6 Small Business Packaging Ideas

Product Reviews

Today, 9 out of 10 shoppers read online reviews before purchasing a product. While Google is an excellent source of reviews, it’s rare to find other such channels.

You can help your customers in their hunt for product reviews by generating a QR code from your reviews page and attaching it to your small business packaging.

Not only does it save them time, but it also provides a platform where new consumers can leave their reviews.

By displaying raw customer feedback, you are creating an image of transparency and honesty while marketing a product that your audience is going to love.

How-to Videos

Packaging for small business can also showcase QR codes that take users to how-to videos, whether they’re published on the brand’s website or your official YouTube channel.

This is a remarkable way to boost engagement and establish a connection with your audience. Plus, it also ensures that your shoppers won’t keep a product back because they’re unsure about how to use it.

These video tutorials can be used to:

●     Demonstrate functionality and how to use the product

●     Educate users about the product

●     Teach how to assemble the product

●     Highlight the different features of the item

●     Illustrate best practices

●     Provide troubleshooting guidance

Not only does this help create familiarity, but it also reduces returns and complaints of dissatisfaction.

Sustainability Information

With environmental degradation at an all-time high, the consumers of today are switching to sustainable products. Around 70% of US shoppers are ready to break all ties with a brand if they find out it harms the environment.

QR codes can reveal your brand’s sustainability story or eco-initiatives to win over eco-minded consumers.

Product Authenticity

94% of buyers are ready to pledge their loyalty to brands that offer transparency. This is an exciting opportunity for your small business to leverage barcode packaging and your product’s authenticity to capture a large segment of your target audience.

Upon scanning the QR codes on your products, the shoppers can be guided to your brand’s landing page, which displays its journey.

For instance, if you’re a food business, you can show the farms from which you get your ingredients, how your products are made, etc. Remember that transparency gives birth to credibility and instills trust.

Social Media

Our guide to QR code packaging ideas for small business will be incomplete without talking about how these codes can be used to direct traffic to your social media.

With 83% of Instagram users claiming to find new brands through social media, we know just how important the digital world is for your small business to build brand awareness, increase revenue, and connect with your target audience.

You can create a single landing page displaying all your social media accounts and give your customers the option to select the content they want to view. The final destination can reveal extra product information or introduce product discounts.

Retargeting

Did you know that curiosity prompts over 60% of users to scan QR codes? So, if a passerby sees your QR code packaging, they might just scan the code without any intention of buying the product.

However, once the user lands on the on your landing page, a cookie is dropped into their browser. This signals retargeting platforms like Facebook and Google that this user is interested in that particular brand or content.

Later, when the user browses these social channels, you can retarget them through specific ads, increasing their chances of converting.

Best Practices for QR Code Packaging

If you’re ready to add QR codes to your product packaging, here are some best practices you must keep in mind for maximum effectiveness.

Add Customized QR Codes

QR codes that are customized according to the theme of your brand are 80% more productive than the generic-looking black and white codes. Not only does customization make QR codes look more appealing, but high-contrast colors also improve scannability.

Include a CTA

A call to action (CTA) creates a sense of urgency among your consumers and informs them where the QR code will take them. Both these elements combined increase the likelihood of scans.

Be Smart with Placement

If your customer has to hunt for the QR code on your packaging, it’s as good as not being there at all. However, you also can’t use just place it anywhere you like.

The placement of your QR code should be strategic so that it doesn’t steal the limelight but is still prominent enough to be located effortlessly.

Ensure it can be Scanned Easily

Print packaging is costly, so remember to check if the QR codes are working before you send them for printing. Also, ensure that the QR code is of an appropriate size. Shoppers cannot scan codes that are blurry or too small.

Only Use a Single QR Code Per Product

Too much of anything is bad. So, if you plan to print multiple QR codes on every product, this is the right time to change your strategy.

Instead, create a single landing page featuring different experiences, be it how-to videos, discount offers, sustainability information, product reviews, etc., and allow your audience to choose the content they want to see at that moment.

Wrapping Up

We’re living in a time where the potential of QR codes has extended beyond web links. This guide to small business packaging ideas is one such example of QR code usage and how they can employed in your product packaging, unlocking opportunities for customer engagement and innovation.

These are only a few of the endless QR-code techniques for your product packaging but remember, the sky is the limit. So, let your creativity lead the way and embrace the benefits of small business packaging with QR codes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

How can I get a QR code for my product?

Sign up for Linkstac’s QR code subscriptions and create dynamic QR codes for your product packaging.

Why Must Small Businesses Use QR Codes for Their Products?

Small businesses can print QR codes on their products to lead consumers to further information about their brand. The codes reveal the authenticity of the product, its manufacturing process, origin story, promotional offers, etc.

Can QR Codes be Used for Product Tracking?

Yes, every time a user scans our dynamic QR codes printed on your products, you can track the location of the scanner, the date of the scan, the device used for scanning, and other such metrics.