Last fall is when QR codes (quick response) finally hit mass media. You are able to find these small square bar codes on magazine covers, within print ads, on billboards and custom mailers.

Why are these so important and what do they do?

QR Codes require a smartphone with a special bar code reader application installed. When a consumer “scans” the bar code with their phone it takes them to a  mobile website landing page that the bar code was created for. With the popularity of smartphones it has allowed for more people to use this technology to help promote specific sales campaigns.

Great examples of QR code uses in car dealerships

At Ritz Marketing we have been utilizing QR codes for our dealers for over a year. Here are the best ways we see these being a key ROI for car dealerships.

• Window Car Stickers

  QR codes created for every car on the lot by vin number, linking to the cars spec page on dealer’s mobile website. This is critical for after hour shoppers trying to shop and for your sales team to have quick access to more details for their buyers. This is becoming a main stay in automotive shopping, if you don’t have it then the guy next store to you probably will!

• Newspaper Ads

  QR codes to land on your website pages holding more details for sales and incentives put in newspapers. Giving people a one click option to finding more information, and bringing them to a lead capturing page. This is another way to track your ROI on the newspaper buys you are placing.

• Business Cards

  Add QR codes to your business cards for more engagement. For your service managers or techs this could land on the appointment page of your mobile site. For your sales managers it could land on your review page for quick feedback.

• Direct Mail

  Another way to track your ROI, and add an easy way for consumers to engage with your postcard or letter. For a buy back mailer have the QR code land on a simple page for the consumer to fill out their personal and car information. Service reminders have the code land on a quick appointment form, but remember these all need to be mobile friendly!