The Rise and Fall of the QR Code Campaign
In the early days of our new advertising initiative, we were confident we had a winning formula. We placed simple QR code ads in high-traffic areas, expecting that the convenience of a quick scan would translate into high engagement. And for the first week, our assumption seemed correct—the clicks were rolling in, and the data showed a promising start.
But then, something changed. As the days turned into weeks, we watched our click-through rates steadily decline. The initial surge of curiosity had faded, and the passive interest we hoped to capture simply wasn’t enough to sustain momentum. It became clear that people were looking for more than a simple scan and a static landing page.
The Lesson: A QR Code Is Just the Start
Our primary takeaway was simple yet profound: a QR code is not the destination, it’s the invitation. Customers today are oversaturated with offers and discounts. A “buy one, get one” or a simple savings coupon, while useful, isn’t always memorable enough to justify the effort of pulling out a phone and scanning a code. The interaction needs to be more compelling.
What people really want is a reason to participate again. They want a continuous and rewarding experience that reminds them of the brand and offers value beyond a single transaction. The most successful campaigns don’t just provide a one-time benefit; they build a relationship. They create a “sticky” experience that makes people want to come back for more.
Our Path Forward
We’ve since shifted our strategy to focus on a more integrated approach. We’re now exploring ways to build a long-term engagement loop—something that is more than just a savings offer and provides ongoing value. Our new platform, powered by Scanwin.com, is designed to turn that single scan into an interactive and fun journey for the consumer. It’s about building a story and a connection that a simple QR code landing page could never achieve on its own.
Ultimately, we learned that true engagement isn’t about giving people a quick win. It’s about giving them a reason to stick around.