QR Codes: how to use them to provide great service to Chinese visitors

A number of years ago, many businesses put QR codes on their brochures or used it in other ways. The issue with QR codes back then, is that they were used the wrong way. With this I mean that in the majority of cases, they redirected to a non-mobile friendly homepage of a website. As non-mobile optimised websites are basically unreadable on mobile phones, most people were put off using them.

In other countries such as the US however, QR codes are used for retail coupons (Americans loooooove coupons!)

Last week, I attended a workshop by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) about research conducted on the  Chinese FIT traveller. I learned to my surprise that Chinese are big users of QR codes and this offers some great opportunities to provide them with relevant information. How cool is that!

Chinese don’t like to see big signs in their own language while they’re visiting other countries on holiday. They want an authentic experience. I don’t blame them; I am the same. If I go on holiday to a country with a different language (which is most countries as I am Dutch), I do not want to see Dutch signs or brochures! I want to immerse myself in the local culture.
Of course there is often a language barrier, but there are subtler ways to provide Chinese with information in Mandarin. Through QR codes!

For example, instead of giving them a menu in a restaurant in Chinese, just have a QR code at the bottom indicating that the menu can be seen in Mandarin by scanning the QR code.
Oh, and free Wifi is a must too to enable your customers to use QR codes easily.

So, the QR code is back!

Below are a few links to previous tips I’ve written about QR Codes in the last few years!
How to create a QR code: http://www.marketingwhizz.com/weekly-marketing-tip/how-to-create-a-qr-code
Are QR codes dead? http://www.marketingwhizz.com/weekly-marketing-tip/are-qr-codes-dead

Have a great rest of your week! 
Marijke