Since their boom in popularity in the early-to-mid 2010s, QR codes have gone from a piece of novelty technology to an everyday sight. From restaurant menus to sign-up forms and marketing campaigns, these small squares have proved themselves as an effective method of capturing attention and providing customers important information right there on their own phone.
While they might not carry the same novelty now in a world full of them, QR codes still provide an easy way for customers to access your small business’ website or reviews with the simple scan of their phone camera.
Auto repair shops are full of potential use-cases for QR codes, and in a lobby where customers are likely to be waiting for their vehicle, they provide a great way for your shop to guide customers to review pages or other shop information while they sit.
Creating a QR code might seem like an in-depth project given the way they seem to pull a webpage from thin air, however there are various tools that allow for easy and budget-friendly creation of QR codes for whatever page on your site you’d like to direct them to. In this article, we’ll go over how to create an effective QR code for your auto repair shop, what they can do for your business, and how to best utilize them for maximum engagement.
Use-Cases For QR Codes in Auto Repair Shops
Instant Feedback & Reviews
One of the most effective uses of a QR code within an auto repair shop lobby is one that brings customers directly to your business’ Google reviews page. With a simple QR code flyer on your front desk, you can have your advisors mention adding a review as the customer is on their way out. While many times this will be ignored, customers who’ve had a particularly good experience at your business may bring a number of new high-rating reviews to your Google Business profile.
Print Ads & Rebates
While ads run on the internet and social media platforms generally have an easy way for the customer to click through to your shop’s website or appointments page, traditional print ads lack this easy access to your business’ information. Though website URLs and phone numbers can work, having a QR code that the customer can easily scan with their phone provides less resistance for those wanting to interact with your business immediately.
Including a small QR code off to the side of the advertisement is an instantly recognizable call-to-action for the customer to reach your site, and can help make the process of scheduling an appointment after seeing a direct-mail rebate or coupon much easier for interested customers.
Business Cards
If your advisors are equipped with business cards to hand out to potential customers, adding a QR code linking to your site can be a great way to allow easy contact and scheduling. Rather than having to input the email or phone number from your card, customers can quickly scan the code and be taken directly to whatever page you’d like to direct them to, whether that be your homepage, about page, scheduling page, or otherwise.
How To Create a QR Code For Your Repair Shop
The easiest way to quickly create a custom QR code is by making use of the various generators online. These take care of the hard part for you, allowing you to input your intended URL and have a functional QR in seconds.
These days, online QR code generators typically come in two different types: static and dynamic. Understanding the difference will help you pick which is right for your shop’s needs and budget.
Dynamic QR Codes
Dynamic QR codes are built with modern quality-of-life features in mind, such as the ability to change the code’s destination URL after already having been generated and printed, as well as providing easy access to analytics on scans. Rather than linking directly to the destination page, dynamic QR codes often first redirect to a middleman page from the QR code provider before heading to their destination, which is what allows for the changing of the destination URL down the line.
The downsides of this method is these QR code generator services often require a subscription to continue using the code, even if you have not altered the URL. After the subscription or initial trial period ends, these QR codes will likely be shut off and will stop directing to your destination. This also means that the usability of your QR codes are directly tied to the subscription model of the company, which may change over time.
Dynamic QR Code Generators:
Static QR Codes
Static QR codes are the most basic form, linking directly to the site you input. These codes are not able to be altered at all after creation, as static codes contain the URL for the destination site rather than a third-party middleman page that redirects. Once the code is generated, that specific code now holds that URL forever and can be used continually without needing to pay a third-party service.
Of course, this also means that static codes lack the ability for easy analytics, which can make it a difficult choice for shops who plan on using an array of different codes over a variety of use-cases.
The primary draw of static codes is that they’re generally free and not under the control of a subscription-based provider. For shops that plan on using only a few codes and do not need the ability to change the URL post-generation or gather in-depth analytics, static codes make generating a custom QR code free and easy.
Static QR Code Generators:
Considerations When Using QR Codes
When using QR codes in your repair shop, there are a few important considerations to keep in mind.
Destination Page Mobile-Optimization
With the entirety of those who’ve scanned your QR code arriving at the site on their mobile device, it’s crucial to have your destination site optimized for mobile users. If a potential customer scans your code and is brought to the desktop version of the site, or an unoptimized mobile layout, it can quickly create confusion that could prevent the customer from using your site properly.
Do You Need Dynamic Codes?
When picking the generator you’ll use to create your code, it’s important to ensure that the service you’re using fits your needs. If you suspect you’ll need to update the destination or design of the QR code in the future, particularly on print materials where a reprint would be required, choosing a dynamic QR generator could be worth the extra cost.
However, if all you need is a few codes that won’t need updating or analytics, static code generators provide a great way to create free QR codes that are not bound to any third party company’s decisions and will not ever expire.
Clear Context & Call-To-Action
Most people won’t go around scanning random QR codes without the context of where it’s directing them. For this, you’ll need to provide a call-to-action on or around the QR code that lets the user know what to expect from scanning the code.
For example, if used on a print marketing rebate, include a small blurb that indicates to the viewer that scanning the code will take them to your shop’s specials page or appointment scheduler.
While using QR codes may be second nature for some younger customers, older customers may need a bit of direction around how to properly scan it. You can include a quick piece of text that says something along the lines of “scan with your smartphone’s camera” to provide context that may be needed for some customers who would otherwise be confused by its purpose.
Using Them In The Right Channels
An often overlooked part of creating an effective QR code is including them in the proper channels.
Using QR codes on digital materials such as email blasts or social advertisements may seem like an easy way to get it front of a lot of eyes, but it’s important to remember that many of your customers may be interacting with these on their primary mobile phone, making it impossible to reach the destination website without screenshotting the code and scanning it within their photo gallery. This adds extra steps for the customer that would be avoided with a simple hyperlink or CTA button.
Where QR codes shine is print marketing, as the customer will likely have their phone with them and can easily scan the code from the flyer or postcard it’s included on. This prevents the customer from needing to input your shop’s phone, email, or website URL character-by-character.
Making The Most of QR Codes With HiBeam
Having a set of effective QR codes doesn’t mean much without the follow-up and reputation management capabilities to make it count. HiBeam CRM’s Reputation Management feature allows you to easily keep up-to-date with responding to reviews you receive from your QR code at the front desk, so you can keep your customers happy with quick responses to feedback and ensure their trust in your shop keeps growing.
Our Direct Mail tool also provides a great way to maximize the effect of marketing-material QR codes, as our editor makes it simple to add QR codes leading to your shop’s website or specials. Whether you’re sending out a newsletter, coupon card, or any other print advertisement, adding a QR code can turn it from what would be a throwaway piece of junkmail into a legitimate lead-capturing tool.
Reach out to our team to see what HiBeam can do for your shop’s marketing efforts and online reputation!
