We have been scanning QR codes for the past two decades but they got viral only after smartphones joined the game. As the name suggests, the Quick Response codes let you finish your action in a swish – like digital magic. They are used in different forums but the most prevalent usage in India would be to make payments. Digital transactions are becoming the preferred mode of money transfer and are even one of the ways in which the digital economy will benefit the government.

Because of this, the government has taken measures to make these transactions safe and hassle-free. One of the initiatives it took was the launch of the BHIM (Bharat Interface for Money) app to promote cashless transfer. A very important feature in the app is the Bharat QR code that makes transactions easy. You can find these black and white pixelated boxes on billing desks of malls, petrol bunks and medical shops too. But apart from digital transactions, there is a lot more that can be done by waving your phone across a QR code. Curious? Here are 8 new ways to use QR codes that you haven’t thought of.

  1. Better customer services

Loyal customers are like friends. What if you could give them more than a warm smile to appreciate their loyalty? With QR codes, they don’t have to wait in line. The exclusive club can integrate their pre-paid cards and with their phone apps to pay quickly in just a scan. What more – you can easily pick out the inner circle of clients. This will help you build a strong and stable customer base and maybe throw in a couple of offers to retain them.

  1. How-to codes

When a product is purchased, the case and instruction manual hit the bin almost instantly after unwrapping. So do the environment some help and switch to QR code manuals. Upon scanning the QR code, the ‘How-to’ video to the product opens. Not just post-purchase, QR codes next to the product racks in the malls and shops or even the product description in E-commerce sites can help the customers buy exactly what they are looking for. This will improve the shopping experience and minimise the need to return products.

  1. WiFi access

The moment we enter a space, be it a mall, restaurant or our friends’ homes, the first thing we ask for is if we can connect to their WiFi. Having a QR code for the WIFI network makes this process easy. All that is left to do is to scan the QR code and enter the password. This can be put to best use in places that attract huge a crowd. The QR code can be printed on standees or posters.

  1. Lost, scanned and found

While losing a valuable belonging can be disappointing, finding it again can be priceless. Placing a QR code on your wallet, gadgets or even pets’ collars can help people reach you easily. Upon scanning, the ones who are trying to return your lost belonging can connect with you via a phone call or an email.

  1. Mapping with QR codes

Sharing our real-time location has been made easy with Maps. This has spared us the effort of giving directions and sending the address. Encoding a location with a QR code can be an easy way to share location. If you have started a new venture and want to attract customers to your space, share with them the QR code of your location. Posting the code on your social media page can also help customers reach your space with ease.

  1. Real-time information

QR codes can take people right into the stream of real-time information. In places like train stations, bus stops or during ongoing sales at malls or food festivals in restaurants when there is a constant and live flow of information, QR codes can be used to keep the customers updated. Since there is hardly any scope to alter information when it is live, the transparency will help build trust among your customer base.

  1. Learning with QR codes

Among the industries that perform well in the digital platform, education is a forerunner. Books are not the go-to options when it comes to learning today. Understanding concepts have been made easy with phones and laptops. QR codes can be used in many ways to learn. But the most effective would be to embed them in textbooks. If you have an animation to explain the anatomy of an organism or an explainer on the European Crisis, printing the respective codes along with the chapters can help students get a better understanding of the subject.

  1. Medical Repository

The healthcare industry is making optimum use of the digital space. QR codes are starting to play a huge role in this space. In one scan, the hospitals can keep track of its patients, maintain their medical records, keep a list of the medicines delivered and keep a check on their vitals too. This can reduce the risk of missing records or not being able to understand illegible handwriting.

Like low-cost mPOS machines and UPI-enabled wallets, QR codes are making payments faster and simpler than ever before. Apart from trying out these 8 ways to use QR codes, you can come up with your own genius ideas and share them with the world.

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