How Does the QR Code Tracking Work?

QR Code tracking allows businesses and brands to understand whether their generated QR Code is helping them reach their marketing goals or not. For instance, QR Code analytics enable a product brand to find out where their products are being purchased the most, including the location, store, and demography. You can leverage the functionalities of Google Analytics powered QR Code tracking to build your promotional campaigns and improve your brand marketing strategies.

However, you must know that only Dynamic QR Codes feature tracking and analysis. In this article, we have discussed how QR Code tracking works, the benefits of dynamic fast track QR Codes, and how to use QR Codes for tracking.

Which type of QR Codes can be tracked: Dynamic or Static

Dynamic QR Codes can be tracked and edited, while Static QR Codes are easy to generate but untraceable and uneditable. 

With dynamic QR Codes, you can track the scanning status in real-time. For instance, you can find out where the code was scanned, how many consumers scanned the code, the scan time, and which area received the maximum scans. You can also identify the devices used to scan the code. 

The advantages of dynamic QR codes are numerous, one of the best being their editable features. You can edit a dynamic QR Code’s hosted content anytime without reprinting the code. For example, if you want to create editable QR Code campaigns (change the discount %, time, or venue, upgrade the user guideline, correct an error, add or remove a pic).

On the other hand, static QR Codes are commonly used for personal use or for sharing information where tracking is not crucial, such as email, web address, SMS code, contact card, invitation, discount coupon, Google directions, etc. 

How does QR code tracking work?

Dynamic QR codes are trackable because they do not store data directly within the code. Instead, they contain a short URL that redirects to the desired content. This short URL makes the QR code both editable and trackable.

When you create a dynamic QR code with QRCodeChimp, the short URL is hosted on their server. Each time the QR code is scanned, QRCodeChimp captures and provides detailed analytics for you.

Why should you use QR code tracking and analytics?

If you want to check the success rate of your QR Code in marketing, you can use one or more metrics that dynamic QR Codes provide for real-time data analysis.

QR Codes can also help you regulate product dispersion and prevent malpractices, such as counterfeiting of goods and theft. What’s more? If a campaign is not producing the desired results, you can alter the campaign QR Code or even create a new code using A/B testing. 

What key metrics can be monitored using QR code tracking?

Besides finding the ROI (return on investment), Dynamic QR codes can help you track and analyze the following metrics. The ROI, however, can be defined in different ways, and the expected outcome is totally up to you.

Location of the scan

The scan location can be identified through the IP address of each device. Use this metric to determine which city or country shows the highest engagement with your brand, product, or service. A QR code on a billboard or poster can provide valuable insights for this purpose.

Total number of scans

If you want to see the total number of QR code scans, including duplicate scans, you can check the scan count alongside location metrics. This data helps identify top-performing locations and allows you to refine and optimize your strategy for that specific location, store, or city.

Operating system used

QR Code tracking can also reveal the type of operating system (Android, iOS, Windows Chromes, etc.) used to scan the code. For instance, an app company can use the information to increase app downloads for that particular OS only.

Time, hour, and day of the scan 

With live-data scanning and reporting, you can also break down the number of scans based on the month, week, day, and hour. You can use the data to compare success rates in various time zones. 

Number of unique scans made

Suppose you want to find out how many times a particular iOS device (through IP address), located at Madison Avenue in New York has scanned your QR Code between 5 PM and 10 PM on Monday and Tuesday. In that case, you can do it through Google Analytics Unique QR Code Tracking.

Google Analytics for QR Codes

Google Analytics is the best and most reliable tool to track and analyze QR Codes across a broad spectrum of metrics. There are no second thoughts about it. 

Google Analytics is an essential part of digital marketing activities. So, you must use its unique features to obtain maximum benefits from your QR Code campaigns. 

For example, you must link your website to Google Analytics if you own one. Mainly, if you aim to track the website traffic directed via the QR Code scan, i.e., how many users purchased products from your website after scanning the referral QR Code. 

How to use QR code tracking data

QR code tracking data can help businesses make informed decisions and drive growth. Here are some ways to utilize this data effectively.

Conduct A/B testing and QR Codes

A/B testing is a renowned strategy used in email and text marketing, social media advertising, SEO, and print media. In A/B testing, marketers run two or more similar ad strategies or campaigns to see which better engages the target audience. It gives clarity and direction to marketing tactics.

You can implement A/B testing with QR Codes by customizing codes using different aspects, each slightly varying from the other. You can experiment with different call-to-actions (CTAs), colors, frames, background images, elements, and target audiences. 

Refine QR code campaigns

QR code tracking data is highly effective for refining your campaigns. For instance, location analytics can reveal where your QR codes are being scanned most frequently, helping you identify your target audience.

If you’re using QR codes for lead generation, you can analyze metrics such as the number of unique scans, scan locations, and leads generated. This data allows you to adjust your campaign to increase lead generation and pinpoint which geographic locations are most effective in driving leads.

Help in prioritizing business goals

Tracking analytics also helps prioritize your business goals. For example, if you’ve used an App Download QR code to promote your iOS and Android apps, you can analyze which OS has more scans and prioritize feature enhancements for that platform.

Similarly, a food truck can use location data from QR code scans on their menu to identify where they have more customers and focus their efforts on those high-performing locations.

Measure the ROI and effectiveness of your QR code campaigns

ROI is a crucial metric for achieving your business goals, both financially and in terms of customer reach. QR code tracking analytics allows you to measure the ROI of your campaigns by analyzing metrics such as the number of scans, scan locations, and peak scanning times, and comparing these with the conversion rate. This insight helps you identify which campaigns have been most successful.

You must keep in mind that no one has ever achieved 100% success in their first marketing campaign, let alone QR code campaigns. Like any other digital marketing strategy, QR Code campaigns take time to hit the bull’s eye. 

Conclusion

QR Codes are one of the cheapest and most unique marketing and advertising tools that you can utilize to reach and engage more customers. When you use dynamic QR codes and monitor the QR code tracking analytics, QR codes can help your business attain new heights.

Check out various QR code solutions, visit QRCodeChimp QR Code Generator today! You can generate your customized QR Code without technical help.