QR Codes on Billboards

1. Track ROI (return on investment)

Traditional billboards are impactful, but tracking their effectiveness can be tricky. QR Codes create a direct link between your billboard and your landing page, making it easier to track customer interactions and quantify the revenue generated by each campaign.

QR Code Generator PRO allows you to create Dynamic QR Codes, which you can use to track a number of key metrics. These include the number of total and unique scans, each scan’s location, the device used in the scan, and the time the QR Code is scanned. With these insights, you can evaluate how much web traffic your billboard ads are driving and calculate your ROI.

2. Compare locations

A billboard's success depends largely on its location. By assigning a unique QR Code to each billboard, you can see which cities and neighborhoods yield the highest engagement.

This allows you to refine your billboard placement strategy based on real performance data, optimizing future campaigns for better results. Demographics and local preferences can significantly influence response rates, so understanding these variances helps tailor your approach to the target audience more effectively.

3. Increase engagement

A key challenge with billboard campaigns is that passersby often lack a clear way to engage. Even if they’re interested, they might not remember the brand name or know which website to visit, potentially causing missed conversion opportunities.

Improving the user experience with a QR Code simplifies engagement by offering an immediate way to connect. By scanning the QR Code, viewers can easily follow the billboard’s call to action—whether it’s visiting your website, following your social media profiles, signing up for a newsletter, or making a purchase.

4. Maintain consistent branding

Dynamic QR Codes can be customized to align with your brand’s aesthetics, ensuring a cohesive and professional look for your billboard. Maintaining strong brand recognition is crucial, especially as 76% of consumers prefer brands they feel connected to.

QR Code Generator PRO’s barcodes have evolved far beyond their simple black-and-white ancestors allowing you to bring your QR Code design ideas to life. Now, you can customize your QR Code with your chosen colors, patterns, and frames. You can also add your logo and a call to action (CTA) to solidify your branding further.

5. Correct errors quickly

One major advantage of Dynamic QR Codes is the ability to update them after they’re printed. If you need to correct an error, change the target URL, QR Code type, or adjust your campaign, you can do so without replacing the entire billboard. This flexibility helps you keep your campaigns current and effective with minimal hassle.

How to create a QR Code on a Billboard?

Ready to bring your next billboard campaign to life with QR Codes? Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started for free.

1. Go to QR Code Generator and select the type of QR Code you want to create. We recommend the Dynamic URL QR Code to start—no sign-up required.
2. Enter your website address you want the QR Code to redirect to. Your QR Code will be generated automatically.
3. Customize the frame, shape, and color of your QR Code.
4. Select Download to get your QR Code as a JPG file. (Note: You can also select Print Quality to get your QR Code in SVG or EPS format with a premium account).
5. Add your new QR Code to your billboard ad campaigns.

Protip: For more customization options and access to dozens of other QR Code types, upgrade to QR Code Generator PRO!

1. Keep your message short and to the point

Outdoor advertising gets only a few seconds of attention since viewers are usually walking or driving by. As a result, you’ll need to capture their attention right away.

Make sure your message is immediate and compelling. Use concise text and striking images that passersby can quickly absorb.

2. Be unique and use contrasting colors

Whether you’re in bustling cities like New York and LA, a rapidly growing suburb, or a thriving town center, your billboard design needs to be visually striking. Use a unique, eye-catching design to stand out from the surrounding landscape.

Employ bold, contrasting colors to ensure your billboard captures attention and that your QR Code is easily scannable. Opt for dark colors on a light background or vice versa.

3. Show don’t tell

Since billboards are visual by nature, leverage images and graphics to convey your message. While some text is necessary to get your point across, don’t rely entirely on the copy to attract potential customers.

4. Consider size and placement as part of the design

Balance the size of your QR Code so it’s neither too large nor too small. It should be prominent enough to be noticed but not overpower the overall design. Ensure it’s placed where viewers can easily spot and scan it without distraction. If it’s hidden in the corner of your billboard, your audience may not notice it while walking by.

Gyms and Wellness Studios

Gyms and wellness studios frequently use billboards to attract local clients. Studio Gym promoted its seasonal fitness courses using new promotional videos. They added a Video QR Code to their billboard advertisements, testing the campaign across a few cities to see which brought in the most new customers.

Fashion Retailers

Fashion retailers can leverage billboards to reach their target demographics in relevant areas. With 68% of consumers noticing out-of-home ads on their way to shop, the impact on purchasing decisions can be significant.

Elle Boutique recently launched a billboard campaign to promote a new mobile app. The company added an App Store QR Code to the billboard, making it easy for users to download it immediately. With this information, they can track the number of people who scan the QR Code through their QR Code Generator PRO dashboard. Then, they can cross-reference that number with any increases in downloads, which they can monitor manually or with a third-party analytics software.

Concerts

Concerts offer a perfect opportunity for bold billboard campaigns. With today’s concertgoers often using the internet to buy their tickets, QR Codes streamline the process.

The Three Sparrows were planning an upcoming holiday concert, so they stepped up their promotional campaign with an Event QR Code on a billboard. Fans could scan the QR Code, buy their tickets with just a few clicks, and add the event to their digital calendars.

Publishers

Publishers can promote new book releases with billboard QR Codes. One of Lionspring Publishing House’s top-selling authors released a new book, so they released an MP3 QR Code to boost audiobook sales. Interested customers can find the MP3 download with ease, rather than having to search through a long list of new releases.

Real estate agencies

Real estate agencies can attract local buyers via billboard lead generation with QR Codes.The Home Finders is a real estate agency with a unique new home for sale in the area. To attract potential buyers, they added an Image Gallery QR Code to a billboard. This is an effective way to provide detailed property information without having to list it directly on the billboard.

Finance

Billboards can help finance companies build brand recognition and stand out in a competitive industry.Global Worth Trust is a financial advisor considering an international expansion and wants to build brand awareness. They’ve added Social Media QR Codes to billboards in several countries to see where new users might be interested in their services and attract new followers.