People these days rely on their mobile phones more than ever. Each device is able to read and process a QR code, which is a great way to promote a page, service, or platform. When embracing QR codes for our affiliate activities, we let the target audience easily access the promoted page and then track the progress, data, and campaign results.
The mobile-first approach is present in all kinds of marketing. Anyway, we'll focus now on how to track QR code traffic and the benefits of easily accessible mobile content.
Which QR Codes Can You Track?
In general, there are two types of QR codes you can track: static and dynamic. But what's the difference between them? Here's our explanation:
Static QR Codes: These are commonly known as "permanent codes," which means the information remains the same over time. You can't change the content behind them, i.e., you will have to generate a new code for new content. Such QR codes are only intended for one-time use and have limited data storage capacity, then they get stale. You can basically scan the code and decrypt the information, and that's it! Every time you scan, it will reflect the same information, making it easier to track this QR code.
Dynamic QR Codes: Unlike static ones, dynamic QR codes allow easy content changes and real-time scanning. These have more data storage capacity, are editable, instantly tracked, and have an expiry feature. The information encrypted during scanning does not remain the same every time. You may receive different information, scanning it after a long time, which is great for campaigns that feature different benefits and limited offers, letting you scale the campaign success rate.
How to Track QR Code Traffic
To track QR code traffic effectively, follow these steps:
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Create a Unique URL: Use a unique URL for the QR code to differentiate traffic from other sources.
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Add UTM Parameters: Attach UTM tags (source, medium, campaign, etc.) to the URL for detailed analytics.
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Generate the QR Code: Use a QR code generator to create the code using the tagged URL.
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Distribute the QR Code: Place the QR code strategically in print materials, signage, or digital displays.
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Monitor Analytics: Use tools like Google Analytics as well as our Offer18 tracker to track visits, user behavior, and conversions associated with the tagged URL.
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Analyze Results: Compare traffic data to evaluate the effectiveness of the QR code in driving engagement or sales.
How Offer18 QR Code Tracking Works?
Offer18's QR code feature simplifies campaign promotion for affiliate marketers. It allows you to create dynamic QR codes linked to tracking URLs, share them with affiliates, and monitor real-time performance through the dashboard. The dynamic QR codes can be updated to reflect new information, ensuring flexibility and convenience. With every user scan, actions like clicks and conversions are tracked and reported in real-time, making campaign management more efficient and insightful.
Factors for Effective QR Code Tracking in Marketing
QR codes are the most effective strategy that marketers can use to promote products and businesses in the best way possible. In order to utilize QR codes more successfully in affiliate marketing campaigns, here are a few factors that you should consider beforehand.
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Self-Explainable URL: Marketers must ensure the URL linked to the QR code is clear, error-free, and functional to avoid wasting efforts and damaging their business reputation.
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Information and Context: Content must be clear, relevant, and persuasive to guide visitors toward taking action. To promote a product with a QR code, link to a specific information-rich page instead of the homepage to minimize confusion and prompt quick action.
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CTA with Precise Notion: Providing clear instructions or a hint of what users will get after scanning the QR code increases the likelihood of more scans and conversions.
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Mobile-Responsive Landing Page: Since users scan QR codes with mobile devices, the linked landing pages must be mobile-friendly, fast-loading, and display content properly to ensure a positive user experience.
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Tracking and Analysis: Analyzing campaign performance is crucial, so align performance marketing software with your efforts to measure results and set benchmarks for future campaigns.
Benefits of QR Codes in Affiliate Marketing
The advantages of QR codes are endless. They are swift, safe, and offer a viable experience. That is why millions of people use it nowadays. To introduce you to additional benefits of the QR code, we have provided them below:
QRs Are Easy to Use and Share
These codes are extremely simple to use. All you need is a QR code, either printed or digital, a QR code scanner on your smartphone, and a few seconds of your time. A QR code's scanning ability is outstanding. You can easily access and use the information on your mobile phone however you want. Furthermore, it is extremely convenient to share anywhere and with anyone
A Secure Way to Store Information
It is the most secure method of sharing information. Because of its widespread use in payment gateways, you can imagine how secure and credible it is. The data is generally a landing page URL that redirects to the offer URL, which is hidden behind the black-and-white bar and can only be accessed by the user who scans it. So the data it holds is fully encrypted and can only be decrypted using smartphones.
Feasibility of Tracking and Analysis
The activity of users after scanning this code is easily trackable. Thanks to brilliant performance marketing software like Offer18. They offer a wide range of user behavior statistics centred on key metrics that are recorded in real-time. These key metrics are used by affiliate marketers to measure and analyze the performance of digital marketing campaigns in order to take the necessary future actions to attain optimal results.
Versatility and Diversity in Advertising
QR codes are not confined to a single functionality. They are widely used by marketers in many ways, such as to promote products, share tracking link, increase brand awareness, offer discounts, and much more. The structure of these codes changes according to their usage.
Convenient Editing and Modification
QR codes used in affiliate marketing to promote campaigns are frequently dynamic, with the ability for editing and modification as needed. This information can be changed even after it has been shared online and made available to users.
Moreover, You can also share any information with your affiliates in the provided tokens while tracking and later change or modify it. After scanning, your affiliates will see the revised information.
No Information Storage Restriction
As a dynamic code, there are no space constraints in terms of the amount of content that can be included behind the scannable code. You can include any type of content in the URL that will be encoded by scanning the QR, including informative content such as written text, audio, video, and visuals, as well as interactive content such as feedback or review forms, comments, suggestion boxes, and so on. Using QR codes for effective interactions will assist you in developing positive business relationships with your clients and associates.
Interactive and Actionable Campaigns
QR codes make promotions more appealing and interesting. Large boards with printed QR codes displayed on the streets and malls are an effective way to catch people's attention these days. They become intrigued by the information hidden behind the code and quickly scan it. As a result, it has become the most effective mode of advertising that is both interactive and actionable. You can use it to provide a better user experience and increase user trust in your brand.
Use Cases of QR Codes Tracking
Marketers are using QR code tracking to analyze their marketing results, turning raw data into actionable insights. QR codes are increasingly deployed in various effective ways across different areas.
App Installation Tracking
QR codes are a powerful way to promote apps and drive installs by linking directly to an app's download page. They enhance user interactions, often seen at events where people scan QR codes to download apps. Using Offer18, you can easily generate a QR code for your app's link by creating an offer with the app URL, enabling the QR code toggle, and sharing it with affiliates. It's that simple!
Lead Tracking
QR codes are an effective tool for generating leads by redirecting users to relevant pages where they can complete a CTA, such as:
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Filling out a form
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Signing up or registering
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Accessing informative content (blogs, articles, whitepapers, e-books)
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Subscribing to emails
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Taking advantage of special offers or discounts
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Following a social media profile
Using QR codes for these purposes boosts user engagement and conversion rates. With Offer18’s tracking platform , you can easily monitor impressions, clicks, conversions, costs, CR, CTR, and more to assess and improve user interaction with your content.
Referral Tracking
Referring a product or service using a QR code can be done in two ways:
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A common QR code for all clients to share, typically for deals and discounts.
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A unique QR code for each affiliate to track their performance.
These codes are easily trackable through performance marketing platforms, where you can analyze key metrics and assess each affiliate’s contribution to determine their commission and retention.
Tracking of Orders or Ticket Booking
QR codes are now commonly seen on buses, cafes, and restaurant menus, allowing users to book tickets or place orders easily. With QR code analytics, businesses can track user activity linked to these codes. If you haven’t created a QR code yet, simply enter your product catalog URL into the Offer URL in the Offer18 dashboard, and generate it at no additional charge to share with your clients for ordering.
Promo Code Tracking
Promo codes with QR codes are a great way to boost sales, especially during events like Black Friday and Christmas. These codes offer benefits like discounts, free shipping, or gifts, creating excitement and brand recognition. With tracking platforms, you can analyze leads and sales generated by promo codes, helping you improve marketing strategies and increase brand awareness and revenue.
Visitor Tracking
The goal of marketers is to drive traffic to their website or landing page, as this marks the start of the marketing funnel. Tracking website visits helps assess campaign performance and leads to better sales analysis. With Offer18’s QR code tracking, you can easily monitor how visitors engage with your site in real time and analyze the data across various dimensions, including affiliates, offers, and advertisers, to obtain reliable results.
Conclusion on How to Track QR Code Traffic
QR codes have become a vital marketing tool, allowing marketers to engage users in a powerful way. Offer18’s QR code feature, with its seamless tracking and detailed reporting, can help grow your business. You can easily generate and share unique QR codes directly from the dashboard, and all activities will be recorded in the system for easy access.
Take advantage of this feature to enhance your marketing strategies and share its benefits with your advertisers, affiliates, and clients. If you have any questions and concerns, contact us or check the Offer18 plans to find the convenient solution.
FAQs on Tracking QR Codes
How to create a tracked QR code?
To create a tracked QR code, simply enter your URL into the QR code generator on platforms like Offer18, enable tracking features, and share the generated code with your audience.
How to track QR codes for free?
You can track QR codes for free by using platforms that offer basic tracking features, like monitoring scans and clicks, without additional charges.
Can you track location using a QR code?
Yes, QR codes can track location if they include location-based features or are integrated with services that capture geographical data.
Are trackable QR codes free?
Trackable QR codes can be free depending on the platform you use; however, advanced tracking features may require a paid plan.
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