Chances are, you’ve used a messaging app at some point—whether to catch up with friends, collaborate with your team, or chat with a customer. These platforms have become an essential part of how we connect with others.
With smartphones now in nearly every pocket, messaging apps are constantly evolving to meet our needs. And one tool that’s making a significant impact in this space is QR Codes. They’re transforming how we communicate by making it quicker, more secure, and highly interactive.
For businesses, QR Codes can do everything from quickly sharing contact details to creating seamless connections with customers. They’re improving how you engage with clients and streamlining operations.
Let’s look at how you can use QR Codes alongside your messaging apps to reshape communication and boost customer interaction.
Note: The brands and examples discussed below were found during our online research for this article
Understanding the role of QR Codes in messaging apps
QR Codes, or Quick Response Codes, have gained mainstream popularity in recent years, thanks to the widespread use of smartphones with camera capabilities. They’re everywhere now, letting you add a friend on socials, join a community, or even send a review by text, all with just a quick scan.
But how do they work with messaging apps to create a more seamless, convenient experience? Let’s break it down.
The rise of mobile messaging
Mobile messaging apps have quickly become the go-to way to communicate. Billions of people chat on apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Telegram every day. Businesses are jumping on board too, using these platforms to connect with customers for support, inquiries, and even sales.
QR Codes are making all of this easier. With just a quick scan, users are instantly linked to a pre-set chat window via a dedicated landing page or URL, making it simple and fast to start the conversation. No hassle, no waiting—just connect and go.
Growing expectations for convenience
Today’s consumers want things fast and easy. They expect quick and hassle-free solutions, and messaging apps deliver just that.
QR Codes are a perfect complement. No more digging through websites looking for that obscure “contact us” page. Just scan, and you’ll go straight to a URL that opens a chat window. It’s a faster, smoother way to connect, which is exactly what people expect in today’s fast-moving digital world.
The shift toward conversational commerce
One major trend in business today is conversational commerce, where you can use messaging apps for everything from customer service to completing purchases. QR Codes play a key role in this shift, helping businesses create personal, direct connections with their customers.
Whether they’re booking a service, asking a question, or making a purchase, QR Codes take customers right where they need to be. This makes it easier for businesses to engage with them in real time, on their terms, and in a way that feels more personal and immediate.
Key uses of QR Codes in messaging apps
In many ways, QR Codes have become the virtual handshake of messaging apps. They make it easier for you to connect, share information, and seamlessly engage with others. Here’s how they can enhance your business’ messaging apps.
Business associates can scan to save your contact information
Tools like WhatsApp let you generate a QR Code for your profile, making it easy for others to add you as a contact. All they have to do is scan the QR Code to connect straight to your contact information. No typing out lengthy usernames or scrolling through six pages of search results.
Event attendees can scan and message questions on the fly
Need an easy way for event attendees to submit panel or speaker questions? Want to keep visitors in the loop about activities, updates, and schedule changes? QR Codes make it simple to do both.
In your messaging app, set up one account for in-session questions and another for updates, announcements, and general questions. Then add a QR Code to seating and signage that attendees can scan to reach a landing page with links to your chosen app on the App Store or Google Play.
Pair it with a call to action (CTA) like “Scan to submit your questions,” along with your username or phone number for each account, and you’ll have a seamless way to keep attendees engaged and connected.
Clients can scan to make secure payments and transactions
According to a survey by Juniper Research, global QR Code payment transactions are growing and are expected to exceed $3 trillion this year.
Messaging apps have played a significant role in this surge by integrating QR Codes for payments. Tools like WhatsApp Pay and Facebook Pay allow users to scan a QR Code and go straight to a portal where they can make secure peer-to-peer or merchant payments.
QR Codes have also made it easier for small businesses to accept a variety of payment options (without expensive equipment or complicated processes) using the same process.
Customers can scan to get instant customer service or chat support
Great customer service is crucial, and QR Codes can make it easier to provide fast, personalized support. Instead of navigating through an FAQs page or waiting on hold, customers can scan a QR Code and instantly connect to a URL that directs to your customer service team on WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger.
Say a customer is experiencing an issue with one of your products. They can scan a QR Code on packaging or the product itself and start chatting with your support team in seconds. No waiting, just immediate assistance.
Benefits of using QR Codes in messaging apps
Ready to see how your business can benefit from using QR Codes in messaging apps? Let’s take a look at some of the top advantages this strategy has to offer.
Faster, more convenient customer interactions
The less friction in your customer journey the better, and QR Codes are a great way to get customers right where they need to be as quickly as possible. With a quick scan of a QR Code on product packaging, marketing materials, or even a social media post, they can connect with your business instantly.
And this type of seamless, convenient experience is what takes a good customer experience to a top-tier one.
Stronger security and reduced manual errors
Scammers are everywhere, but run especially rampant on messaging apps. They’re impersonating legitimate businesses, pretending to be customer support or account management reps, and convincing users to hand over sensitive account details or banking info.
If customers have to search for you in a messaging app, there’s a risk they’ll accidentally connect with an impersonator instead. By giving customers a direct line to your messaging channels, you can help ensure they’re reaching your actual staff, not a scammer.
Plus, messaging apps like WhatsApp and Messenger have also implemented QR Codes for secure logins and encrypted transactions. The QR Code acts as a unique identifier for the user, making it harder for hackers to access their account.
Higher engagement with personalized experiences
Say a customer contacts your business via messaging app to find out where their package is at. The support rep discovers that it’s been delayed in transit and will be a few days late, so they offer the customer a discount on a future purchase for the inconvenience.
They could just send over a generic promo code like “GET15OFF,” or they could share a personalized QR Code that leads to a one-time discount made just for the customer. Modern customers expect these kinds of individualized experiences, and QR Codes make it simple to deliver.
Best practices for using QR Codes to drive messaging engagement
Integrating QR Codes into messaging apps requires careful planning and execution to ensure a seamless user experience. Use these best practices to guide your strategy.
Optimize QR Code placement
Think of QR Codes as shortcuts. They should always be within reach and easy to access. So place them in highly visible areas across different touchpoints to ensure customers can easily scan them whenever they need to.
But you’ll also need to consider context and make sure you’re using the right codes in the right places. For example, automated text messages for a promotion could include a QR Code linked to a limited-time offer or discount. Meanwhile, a customer support code would be a better fit for product packaging.
And don’t forget invites to your loyalty program in order confirmation messages. People love the idea of joining something exclusive—why not make it easier by allowing them to simply scan a code?
Customize QR Codes for branding
When you can recognize a brand without seeing its name, that’s excellent brand recognition. But brand identity isn’t limited to colors, fonts, and logos. QR Codes also play a role in branding.
If you customize your QR Code to reflect your brand’s image, customers will associate it with your business, reinforcing awareness and giving them confidence that the code is legitimate.
Bitly’s QR Codes are fully customizable, allowing you to add your logo, colors, and other branding elements depending on your plan to enhance consistency and brand recognition. When a customer comes across your branded link or QR Code, they will immediately know it belongs to your business, making them more likely to engage.
Use Dynamic QR Codes for real-time updates
If you’re looking to provide real-time updates or make changes to your QR Code’s destination, Dynamic Codes are the way to go. Unlike Static QR Codes, which are fixed and can’t be changed once generated, Dynamic QR Codes allow you to update the linked content at any time.
This is particularly useful for businesses that frequently update their promotions or products. With Dynamic QR Codes, you can avoid the hassle of reprinting physical codes and ensure that customers always have access to up-to-date information.
Plus, Dynamic QR Codes also offer scan tracking and analytics like:
- Total scans
- Scans over time
- Scans by location (city/country)
- Scans by device (iOS/Android)
- Scans by referrer
Armed with these insights, you can continuously optimize your strategy to encourage more engagement and connections.
Train staff to prompt customers to scan
Your team can greatly impact how effectively QR Codes drive engagement. So encourage your staff to actively suggest that customers scan codes when they need help.
For example, if a customer is unsure about a product or has a question, having your staff remind them that they can scan a QR Code to reach customer service or access more details quickly can go a long way. The more approachable and helpful your team is, the more customers will feel comfortable engaging.
Use pre-filled messages to start the conversation
Sometimes, customers aren’t sure what to say when they scan a QR Code and open a chat. That’s why pre-filled messages are a solid strategy. Instead of letting customers stare at an empty chat, you can make it super simple for them by offering prewritten messages like “I’m interested in your services” or “Can you help me with a product question?”
This small step reduces friction and speeds up the conversation, making the process smooth and efficient. It also lowers the barrier to engagement so customers feel confident and can get the help they need immediately.
Create different QR Codes for each promotion
Every campaign is different, so your QR Codes should be too. To really understand what’s driving results, use unique codes for different promotions or events. For instance, create separate codes for a seasonal sale, a new product launch, or an exclusive offer, rather than just reusing old ones.
This lets you track which campaigns resonate the most with your audience and generate the most engagement. It’s a smart way to see what’s working (and what’s not) in real time so you can adjust your strategy on the fly. Plus, it helps you make data-driven decisions to improve future campaigns and maximize your ROI.
Challenges of using QR Codes in messaging apps
Every innovative solution has challenges, and QR Codes are no exception. Here are some hurdles users or businesses may face when using QR Codes within messaging apps, as well as some strategies to overcome these challenges.
Overcoming technical barriers
While pretty much any newer device offers built-in QR Code scanning, older versions of smartphones may not have that capability. This can be a barrier for businesses, especially if a big part of their target audience consists of users with older devices.
Fortunately, there are tons of free QR Code scanner apps available, and you can add some simple instructions near your codes explaining how customers can download an app to scan, along with some high-quality suggestions.
Ensuring your QR Code opens the right messaging app
If a customer expects to connect with your business on WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger and ends up on a completely different app, it’s a recipe for confusion, frustration, and lost opportunities.
The good news is that a quick test before rollout can prevent any issues down the road. Once you’ve generated a QR Code, simply scan it using multiple devices (both iOS and Android) to make sure it works as expected and leads to the right destination.
Avoiding poor scan experiences in physical environments
A code that doesn’t scan easily is also detrimental to the customer experience. Low-quality prints or codes placed at awkward angles can make it difficult for customers to scan successfully, and they may end up abandoning the process entirely.
To ensure smooth and successful scans:
- Ensure your QR Codes are at least 2 cm x 2 cm in size—the further away customers will be scanning from, the larger the code needs to be.
- Use a strong contrast between the code and its background, dark-on-light or light-on-dark, so smartphone camera apps can easily detect it.
- Place your QR Codes in visible, easy-to-reach locations, preferably at eye level or where customers can scan without stretching or awkwardly bending.
- Print your QR Codes in high-resolution formats, such as PNG, SVG, or EPS.
Creating trust with customers who are hesitant to scan
Customers sometimes hesitate to scan QR Codes because they’re concerned about security, don’t know where the code will lead them, or simply aren’t familiar with the technology. This lack of trust or understanding can prevent them from engaging, ultimately hurting your business’s efforts to connect and communicate.
To ease any concerns and build confidence:
- Add a clear CTA that tells them why they should scan and what to expect, such as “Scan to chat with our support team on WhatsApp.”
- If needed, provide clear and concise scanning instructions alongside your codes, such as “Point your smartphone camera here, then click the link.”
- Customize your codes with your brand elements so customers can feel confident that they’re legitimate.
- Educate users on the benefits of QR Codes and how they can enhance the customer experience.
Managing chat volume and expectations
Starting a conversation via QR Code is an easy way to connect with customers, but it can quickly become overwhelming if your business isn’t prepared to manage the incoming volume. The convenience of QR Codes can lead to a surge in messages, and if there’s no system to handle them, response times can suffer, leaving customers frustrated and dissatisfied.
You may ultimately need to hire or schedule more staff to handle the influx. But for a short-term solution, you can implement auto-replies to acknowledge receipt of a message and let customers know you are processing their inquiry. A countdown estimate of their wait time can also encourage more patience and understanding.
Use cases for messaging app QR Codes across industries
From retail to fitness, businesses across industries are finding smart ways to use QR Codes in messaging apps to improve service, boost engagement, and simplify everyday interactions. Here’s how different sectors are putting them to work.
Retailers and ecommerce brands
Retailers and ecommerce businesses use QR Codes to enhance the post-purchase experience and keep conversations going, placing them on touchpoints like:
- Product packaging: QR Codes on packaging can link to a landing page where customers can click to start a conversation via WhatsApp or Messenger. It’s an easy way to offer fast product support or handle return inquiries.
- Promos: Want to blast news about your flash sale across every messaging platform? QR Codes work equally well for bulk SMS campaigns.
- Post-purchase emails: To streamline reordering, embed QR Codes in follow-up emails. Customers can scan the code to instantly reorder their favorite products through chat, making repeat purchases effortless.
- Social media or in-store signage: Sharing QR Codes on Instagram stories, Facebook posts, or in-store displays gives customers an easy way to start chatting about promotions, product recommendations, or general questions.
Restaurants and cafes
The food and beverage industry thrives on fast, personalized service, making QR Codes a natural fit for use cases like:
- Reservations and takeout: A QR Code on a menu, website, or printed marketing materials can direct customers to a landing page with links to make a reservation or takeout request via SMS or WhatsApp.
- Table or counter service: QR Codes at dining tables or order counters direct customers to a chat page where they can give feedback, request service, or ask for assistance without flagging down a server. This helps improve efficiency and customer satisfaction on the spot.
- Real-time info: Customers can scan QR Codes to land on a support page that answers questions about dietary options, operating hours, or directions, then click through to chat if they still need help.
Gyms and fitness studios
Fitness centers are using messaging app QR Codes to drive sign-ups, answer FAQs, and keep members in the loop.
- For inquiries: QR Codes posted around the gym link to landing pages where members can ask about class schedules, personal training availability, or membership options via their preferred messaging app.
- On flyers and posters: Gym marketing materials now feature QR Codes that connect to SMS bots or WhatsApp chats through a dedicated landing page, making it easy for potential customers to redeem a promo or sign up for a trial class.
- On social media: When people have questions about your services or what to expect before joining, QR Codes shared in social posts guide users to a click-to-chat landing page, making it simple to start a conversation. It eliminates friction and lets you answer frequently asked questions instantly, building trust with potential members.
How Bitly helps businesses use messaging apps and connect with customers
Bitly’s QR Code generator is a game-changer for businesses looking to streamline their messaging app connections. And with everything from short links and QR codes to no-code landing pages and analytics all in one place, Bitly makes it easy to manage, track, and optimize your customer interactions.
Custom, branded, and dynamic Bitly Codes
Bitly Codes are fully customizable, helping you enhance your messaging experience while maintaining a consistent brand identity. With Bitly, you can add your business logo and colors, choose a unique pattern and frame, and even use a branded short link on the back end for a completely cohesive experience.
Plus, all Bitly Codes are Dynamic QR Codes, meaning upgraded plan users can update their QR Code destinations without generating a new code. This flexibility is a huge advantage for businesses that need to keep their messaging links fresh or pivot to new campaigns quickly without the hassle of reprinting and replacing codes.
Advanced analytics for actionable insights
Dynamic QR Codes are also trackable, and Bitly Analytics provides crucial data that can help you optimize your strategies and improve customer engagement.
With detailed metrics like total scans, scans by location (city/location depending on your plan), scans over time, and even scans by mobile device type and referrer, you’ll gain valuable insights into how your QR Codes are performing. This allows you to make data-driven decisions to improve your messaging app experience and ultimately increase customer satisfaction.
Say the QR Code in your confirmation emails consistently gets high scan rates, but the code on your product packaging only has a few scans trickling in. That’s a good indication that your placement or CTA could use a tweak.
Maybe your code is blending in the packaging design, so customers aren’t seeing it. Or it could be that your CTA is confusing, and customers don’t know what to expect or why they should scan. A small change could ramp up engagement and ensure you’re getting the maximum value out of your QR Codes.
You can also assess the effectiveness of different QR Code campaigns across multiple messaging platforms to see where your audience spends their time and meet them where they already are.
Short links and landing pages for seamless integration
Together, Bitly Codes, Pages, and Links allow you to create a cohesive mobile marketing strategy from one user-friendly platform.
With Bitly Pages, you can quickly create mobile-optimized, no-code landing pages for all your QR Codes, ensuring customers are always directed to just the information or tools they need.
Not sure which messaging app your audience prefers? Simply create a branded landing page that links to all your messaging platforms, so customers can connect with you on their platform of choice with just a tap.
This also allows you to add additional context before starting a conversation. For customer service inquiries, for example, you can include FAQs or helpful information on the landing page, ensuring that customers can access essential details before they message you.
Meanwhile, Bitly Links help you reinforce your brand identity and build trust at every step. You can create a corresponding branded short link for every landing page and pair it with your related QR Code. That way, customers know the link is legitimate and get an idea of what to expect before they tap.
Plus, the Bitly Marketplace offers integrations with dozens of popular business tools to support seamless campaigns from start to finish.
Leverage QR Codes to transform your messaging strategy
QR Codes make it easy to meet your customers in the messaging apps they’re already using and deliver the personalized, convenient interactions they crave. Whether you use them to offer on-demand support, access to discounts and promos, or purchases by chat, QR Codes can elevate your customer experience to the next level.
Bitly’s Dynamic QR Codes are the perfect solution for businesses looking to integrate these handy tools into their messaging apps, but it doesn’t stop there. The Bitly Connections Platform is your one-stop shop for branded codes, short links, and landing pages, along with advanced analytics that can guide your strategy every step of the way.Transform your messaging strategy and harness the power of QR Codes. Start your free Bitly trial today!
