There was a time when QR codes had a bad reputation. Whether it was the redirects to random web pages seemingly unlinked to where you sourced the code, or the need to download another app to your phone just to be able to scan one. As quickly as they rose to prominence, they seemed to fade right away.
But now, in light of COVID-19, and an ever-growing need for touchless, simplified solutions, they’re back and bigger than ever. Whether it be scanning a government check-in QR code at your local restaurant, or ordering your food right from your table, there is no doubt they will continue to become such a prominent part of our day-to-day lives. In fact, there was a 94% increase in the number of QR code interactions from 2018 to 2020!
Read on as we delve into how QR codes work, their top uses in our day-to-day lives, and what the future may hold for such a simple, yet powerful black and white image.
QR codes are scannable barcodes that store data. They are commonly used to redirect users to landing pages, social media profiles, store coupons, information guides, and the list goes on!
They work similarly to supermarket barcodes, the pattern of the black squares and dots represent information that can be read and interpreted by smartphone cameras, which then take action based on that content.
The first time you ever sat down at a restaurant and saw a QR code to scan to order and pay for your food, it may have felt strange, maybe even exciting?
Now, customers often find themselves automatically looking for a code to scan when they sit down at their table, given the benefits it serves in a growing contactless society. In fact, many of us are growing to prefer this method of ordering at hospitality venues, thanks to several benefits:
Another common use of QR codes is to include them on printed posters, which can then redirect the customer to a specific landing page. Not only is this a great marketing tactic, but it also saves people time from having to manually type out a link, enabling them to access your site sooner!
There are a variety of ways that businesses are implementing QR codes onto printed posters, namely:
During the height of the pandemic, when you would have to check in to every establishment you step foot in, you had two options: scan the QR code on your phone, or manually fill out your details on the sheet of paper provided. For many, scanning was a preference as it helped enable a speedy, contactless check-in experience.
Sine offers an array of contactless check-in options. Because we use QR codes more on a daily basis, Sine implements a variety of uses to help create a smooth check-in experience:
