How to Best Incorporate QR Codes into Your Outdoor Ads Planning

Published On
July 22, 2025
QR codes can bridge offline and online marketing. When used smartly in outdoor ads, they boost interaction and track engagement. This blog outlines the best tips for using QR codes in OOH campaigns, from placement and design to goals and CTAs.

OOH advertising is a powerful method for marketing your brand. But do you know what’s better? OOH ads working with digital technologies! Understand that people see OOH ads everywhere every day. One more such ad will add nothing to their daily life. Now the question is what to do. One of the best ideas is to lead your viewers from your outdoor ads to something more. Now, how to do that? The answer is QR technology. QR codes can transform a simple ad into an engaging and interactive experience for the audience, resulting in higher sales and ROI. In this blog, we will discuss how you can use QR codes at best.

What Are QR Codes and Why Use Them in OOH?

A QR code is a special kind of square-shaped barcode. They are made up of black & white squares forming a unique structure. When you scan it with your phone, it takes you to a website, video, app, or special offer.

What are the key benefits of OOH ads?

  •  Makes ads interactive and fun
  • Tracks how many people engage with your ad.
  • Connects offline ads to online actions (like buying or signing up)

Best Ideas for Using QR Codes in OOH Ads

1. Make It Big

Billboards are huge and these are generally placed highly for people to see them easily. Now think about placing a small QR code on such a big billboard. Seems off, right? Since people see your billboards from a distance, you should place a big QR code as well. It will help the viewers to scan the codes easily. Make sure your QR codes are between 1-1.5 feet wide.

2. Make It Fun for Readers

People are bored of almost all kinds of ads. So what to do? Make sure your ads are engaging. And why stop here as well when you can do more? Make sure your viewers gain something valuable on your landing page, website, or offers. Make sure this engages the users. Make the portal interactive, engaging, and experiential for all.

3. Your Purpose is Everything

QR codes without a specific purpose are useless. Please don’t put a QR code because someone has told you to use it. People don’t like to scan QR codes and not get the point at all. So what to do? Think about your goals and how QR codes can help you fulfill them. Do you want to showcase your new collection to viewers? A QR code can do that. Think about the marketing funnel. QR codes work as a bridge between two funnel stages, turning viewers into customers.

4. Don’t Forget a Call-to-Action

Imagine you have put a QR code on billboards and said nothing to your viewers. What do you expect from them? They may never scan such codes. QR codes are mysterious doors and you should tell people what’s behind them. How to do that? Simple- add a call to action. A CTA can guide your viewers easily. For example- You can place a text that says “Scan Me to Check New Collection” or “Scan to Win 50% Flat Discount!”

5. Place Your QR Code Strategically

Now, coming to the placement, you need to understand that people will not do anything unless you make it clear. Do you want people to scan your QR code? You need to ensure they walk on a journey instead of random stuff put in the ad. You need to place the QR codes at the right spot where they can stand out. You can use creatives, eye contact, arrows, stories, dotted paths, etc. to make it more effective. But why do we need it? Because people see billboards only for a few seconds.

6. Choose A Dynamic QR Code

Like digital ads, you can also change the QR codes to direct your viewers from one place to another. These are dynamic QR codes and can change the destination based on your real-time requirements. This doesn’t happen in general but in case you need it, dynamic QR codes offer flexibility.

7.  Add Alternative CTAs

Now, let’s talk about the alternatives. Why? Because not everyone has a sharp camera or smartphone. Also, not everyone likes scanning them. Now, what to do? Put a link in the creative direction to the same landing page or website. Busy people can save short URLs and open them in their free time.

8. Focus on Borders

QR codes are mysterious square boxes with a unique arrangement. They have a very specific structure that smartphones can easily scan and understand. But you should make it easier for them. How? You should put a border around the QR code. It will make it easier for the viewers to scan and get the information quickly. Here’s a pro tip- Choose White Borders.

Conclusion

QR codes can transform any OOH ad into a powerful digital tool. By following these simple steps, you can make your ads interactive, track their success, and connect with your audience in new ways. Remember: keep it big, clear, and easy to use; always give people a reason to scan! QR code is one of the life-changing technologies of the 21st century. They hide huge amounts of information in a tiny place and can be used for better marketing, improved engagement, and sales. But they are not limited to digital ads only. Put them on OOH ads and you can turn a billboard into a digital powerhouse. How? In this blog, we have shared tips for using QR codes at best. Follow them all and be the brand people love. Want to launch your outdoor advertising campaign with QR code expertise? Connect with Vigyapan Mart today! 

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