5 Key Benefits of Using QR Codes for Shopify Stores
Sally Wright
Aug 1, 2023
QR codes give Shopify merchants a simple way to connect physical products and marketing materials with their online stores. A customer can scan a code on a product package, printed insert, display, or advertisement and instantly reach a product page, promotion, review page, social profile, or other online destination.
For Shopify stores, this creates a useful bridge between offline and online shopping. Instead of asking customers to type a long URL or search for a product themselves, you can give them a direct path with a quick scan.
With a tool like QR Codes Unlimited, Shopify merchants can create customized QR codes, use dynamic codes for greater flexibility, and track scan activity to better understand how their campaigns perform.
What Is a Shopify QR Code?
A Shopify QR code is a QR code that directs customers to a page, product, campaign, or other digital destination connected to your Shopify store.
For example, a clothing brand could place a QR code on a product tag. When someone scans it, they could be taken directly to the product page to see additional photos, available sizes, customer reviews, or related products.
QR codes can also be used outside the store itself. Packaging, flyers, product inserts, business cards, event displays, and retail materials can all become entry points to your Shopify store.
The goal is simple: make it easier for customers to move from seeing your product to taking action.
How Shopify Stores Can Use QR Codes
There are many ways to use QR codes throughout the customer journey. The best approach depends on what you want the customer to do after scanning.
1. Send Customers Directly to Product Pages
One of the simplest uses is linking a QR code to a specific Shopify product page.
This can be particularly useful when customers encounter your products offline. A QR code on packaging or a retail display can take them directly to the corresponding product instead of making them search for it online.
You can also use the code to provide additional product information, photos, specifications, or customer reviews.
2. Add QR Codes to Product Packaging
Packaging gives merchants another opportunity to keep customers connected after a purchase.
A QR code on a package could lead to product instructions, care information, a warranty page, related products, or a special offer for a future purchase.
For example, a skincare brand could place a QR code on its packaging that leads to a product-use guide. A food brand could use one to share recipes or introduce other products in its collection.
3. Promote Discounts and Special Offers
QR codes can also make promotions easier to access.
Instead of printing a long promotional URL on a flyer or product insert, you can use a QR code to direct shoppers to a specific landing page or offer. A clear call to action, such as “Scan to Get 10% Off,” gives customers a reason to use it.
This can be especially useful for seasonal promotions, product launches, and limited-time campaigns.
4. Connect Customers With Reviews and Social Media
QR codes don't always have to lead directly to a product page.
You can use them to send customers to review pages, social media profiles, email signup forms, or other digital experiences. This gives your printed materials a purpose beyond simply displaying information.
For example, a QR code on a product insert could encourage a customer to leave a review after receiving their order. Another code could invite them to follow your brand on social media.
Why Use Dynamic QR Codes for Shopify?
Not every QR code needs to be dynamic, but they can be especially useful for marketing campaigns and printed materials.
A static QR code generally points to a fixed destination. If that destination changes after you've printed thousands of codes, you may need to replace the material.
Dynamic QR codes offer more flexibility. You can update the destination without replacing the QR code itself.
Imagine placing a QR code on product packaging. Today, it could direct customers to a product page. Later, you may want to send them to a promotion, product guide, or another relevant page. With a dynamic QR code, you can make that change without printing a new code.
Dynamic codes can also provide scan data, giving merchants more information about how people interact with their campaigns.
Track QR Code Scans and Campaign Performance
Creating a QR code is only part of the process. For marketing campaigns, knowing whether people are actually scanning it can be just as important.
QR Codes Unlimited supports scan tracking for dynamic QR codes, allowing merchants to monitor activity and evaluate campaign performance.
You can use this information to identify which QR code campaigns are getting attention and which may need improvement.
For example, you could use separate QR codes on a product insert and a printed advertisement. Comparing their scan activity can help you understand which channel generates more engagement.
QR Codes Unlimited can also connect with Google Analytics, giving merchants another way to measure activity and understand how QR traffic contributes to their broader marketing efforts.
Shopify QR Code Best Practices
A QR code works best when customers understand why they should scan it and can do so without difficulty.
- Give customers a reason to scan. Instead of simply writing “Scan Me,” use a specific call to action such as “Scan for Product Details” or “Scan for a Special Offer.”
- Make the code easy to scan. Use enough size and contrast for the code to be recognized quickly. Always test it before printing large quantities.
- Use dynamic codes for campaigns that may change. This gives you more control over printed QR codes and reduces the need to reprint marketing materials.
- Send customers to a mobile-friendly page. QR code scans typically happen on smartphones, so the destination should be easy to navigate on a smaller screen.
- Track campaigns separately when possible. Different QR codes can help you determine which packaging, advertising, or promotional channels are generating the most engagement.
Why Choose QR Codes Unlimited for Shopify?
QR Codes Unlimited gives Shopify merchants a straightforward way to create and manage QR codes for their stores and marketing campaigns.
The app supports features designed to make QR code creation easier, including bulk creation, customized QR code designs, order-generated QR codes, and unlimited downloadable QR codes.
Merchants can also create dynamic QR codes and track scans, making the app useful for campaigns where performance matters.
Another advantage is flexibility. Instead of treating QR codes as simple links, you can use them as part of your broader customer experience.
How to Create a QR Code for Your Shopify Store
Creating a QR code for your Shopify store can be a simple process.
Start by installing QR Codes Unlimited from the Shopify App Store. From there, choose the type of QR code you need and enter the destination you want customers to reach.
Customize the design if needed, generate the code, and download it for use on your marketing materials or products. Before publishing or printing it, scan the code with a smartphone to make sure it works correctly.
If you're using a dynamic QR code, you can also monitor scan activity and make changes to the destination when necessary.
For a more detailed walkthrough, follow our guide on how to create Shopify QR codes.
Turn More Offline Interactions Into Online Visits
Shopify QR codes can do more than give customers another way to open a website. Used strategically, they can connect packaging, products, promotions, and physical marketing materials to your online store.
You can use them to make product information easier to access, promote special offers, collect engagement, and measure the performance of offline campaigns.
QR Codes Unlimited makes it easier to create customized and dynamic QR codes while giving Shopify merchants tools for tracking and managing their campaigns.
If you're looking for a simple way to connect your physical marketing with your Shopify store, QR codes are worth adding to your strategy. Start creating QR codes with QR Codes Unlimited and turn a simple scan into another opportunity to engage your customers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a QR code to link directly to a Shopify product?
Yes. You can create a QR code that directs customers to a specific Shopify product page. This is useful for product packaging, printed advertisements, retail displays, product inserts, and other materials where customers may want quick access to your online store.
Can I change where a Shopify QR code sends customers?
If you're using a dynamic QR code, you can update its destination without replacing the printed QR code. This can be useful for packaging and long-term marketing materials where the destination may need to change over time.
Where should I put QR codes for my Shopify store?
QR codes can be placed on product packaging, product inserts, flyers, business cards, retail displays, event materials, signage, and other offline marketing materials. Choose locations where customers can easily see and scan the code.
Do Shopify QR codes work on both iPhone and Android?
Yes. Modern iPhones and Android smartphones can generally scan QR codes using their built-in camera apps. Customers typically don't need a separate QR code scanning application.
Can I use different QR codes for different Shopify marketing campaigns?
Yes. Using separate QR codes for different campaigns can help you distinguish scan activity between channels. For example, you could create one QR code for product packaging and another for a printed promotion, then compare their performance.
Can QR Codes Unlimited create QR codes for multiple Shopify products?
Yes. QR Codes Unlimited supports bulk QR code creation, which can make it easier to generate codes for multiple products or campaigns instead of creating each code individually.
