Why QR Codes Aren’t So Hot Yet

This shows that yes, QR codes have yet to really take off here in the states, but I still feel it is a little to early to know for sure if they ever will. Reports like these keep writing about how most people struggle with the whole process of scanning a QR code, but my experience has shown otherwise. Not only have I never had problems scanning QR codes, but some of my technically challenged clients have easily figured out how to scan a QR codes without any assistance on my end.

CNN reports:

“.. evidence suggests many people don’t understand what QR codes are or what to do with them.

You might think that if anyone would know how to use a QR code, it would be college students — a demographic that is immersed in technology and bombarded by marketing. But a recent study found that nearly eight in 10 college students had no idea what to do with a QR code.

Archrival, a research group that focuses on youth marketing, surveyed 500 students at 24 colleges and universities across the United States. They found that although about 80% of students owned a smartphone and had previously seen a QR code, only about 20% were able to successfully scan the example QR code they were shown.

Furthermore, about 75% said they were unlikely to scan a QR code in the future.

‘Why the discrepancy?’ wrote Don Aguirre, brand manager at Archrival. ‘Students simply struggled with the process. Some didn’t know a third-party app was needed [to scan the QR code]. Many mistakenly assumed it could be activated with… ” [Read more]

Have you had any troubles scanning QR codes personally? Leave a comment and let us know!

How To Retain More Of Your New Group Coupon Customers

It seems like everybody has heard of Groupon. It’s a win/win for the small business owner and the consumer. The small business owner gets a flood of customers to beat a path to his/her door, and the consumer. Whether or not it’s a win for the Groupon stock holder is another story.

One gripe I do hear from the small business owners is that the customers who come in to redeem their coupon in many cases never come back. This is especially the case in larger cities where there are more businesses to pick from in general. For this reason it is crucial for business owners to try and capture or retain some of these new customers to increase the likelihood of them returning to their place of business.

What is the best way to do this?

The best way is to create another special offer that your customer can take action on while they are in your place of business redeeming their coupon. This special offer should be given in exchange for the customers contact details. Here I’ll give you an example:

A customer comes into a Salon to redeem a “50% off Salon Services” coupon. While they are there they notice the Salon has a monthly contest to win a FREE facial and to enter the contest all they have to do is text the word “freefacial” to 83020. Now they are in the Salon’s text message database for future communications via text message. This is the best way to keep in touch with your customers because 95% of text messages are open within’ the first 15 minutes.

Using our special Text Message Marketing System, you’re able to manage your database of customers and blast messages to your entire list very easily. Which makes it the #1 marketing tool for small, local businesses.

Contact us today to start using our Text Message Marketing System!