How to Use QR Codes to Promote and Improve Service in the Beauty Industry: Creation, Application, and Safety Rules

A Little History

The QR code (Quick Response Code) was developed in 1994 by the Japanese company Denso Wave, a subsidiary of Toyota. Initially, it was created to improve the tracking of parts on the production line in the automotive industry. Traditional barcodes could store only a limited amount of data, and scanning them wasn’t always convenient as they required a specific orientation.

Engineer Masahiro Hara and his team at Denso Wave developed the QR code, which could store significantly more information and be scanned quickly from any angle. The QR code used a two-dimensional system, allowing it to store both textual and digital data, including URLs, which made it popular beyond industrial use.

With the introduction of the technology for public use and the development of smartphones, QR codes began to be used in many areas, including marketing, sales, and customer interaction.

What is a QR Code?

A QR code is a two-dimensional barcode that can store various information, such as text, links, contact details, and much more. It is often used on websites to simplify and speed up access to content.

Here are some examples of how QR codes can be used on a website and their benefits:

1. Simplified Access to Links: Users can scan the QR code with their mobile devices to quickly navigate to a specific page or app without manually entering the URL. This is especially useful for promoting mobile apps, event registration, or receiving coupons.
2. Payments and Transactions: QR codes are often used for fast and convenient payments. For example, a website can display a QR code that users can scan to pay for a purchase or service via mobile banking apps or digital wallets.
3. Contact Information: QR codes on company websites can be used to quickly retrieve contact details. After scanning, users can automatically save information such as phone numbers, emails, or addresses to their smartphones.
4. Advertising and Marketing: QR codes in marketing campaigns on websites can direct users to special offers, unique promotions, or social networks, increasing engagement and interest.
5. Interactive Content: QR codes can be used to access additional content. For instance, users can scan the code to get access to video tutorials, e-books, or guides.
6. Ease of Navigation: In a physical store or office, QR codes on a website can help users quickly find the information they need or receive assistance with navigation.

Thus, QR codes enhance website interaction, improve the user experience, and open up new opportunities for marketing and customer engagement.

Using QR Codes in the Beauty Industry

In the beauty industry, QR codes are used to improve customer interaction and increase marketing efficiency. Here are some ways they can be applied:

1. Service Booking: Beauty salons can place QR codes on their websites, social networks, or even in offline advertising (posters, business cards). By scanning the QR code, clients are immediately directed to the online booking page, simplifying the service appointment process.
2. Product and Promotion Advertising: QR codes can be used to draw attention to promotions or discounts. Beauty salons can print QR codes on promotional materials, and clients, by scanning them, gain access to special offers or discount coupons.
3. Payment for Services: Many beauty salons implement contactless payments via QR codes. Clients can quickly and conveniently pay for a service through a banking app or digital wallet, streamlining the checkout process and improving the customer experience.
4. Reviews and Feedback: After visiting a beauty salon, clients can scan a QR code that redirects them to a page to leave feedback. This allows salons to quickly collect reviews and enhance their online reputation.
5. Social Media Promotion: Salons can use QR codes to quickly direct clients to their social media pages. For example, a QR code placed on the website or in the salon can take clients to the salon’s Instagram page, where they can follow or view the latest work of the stylists.
6. Product Catalog: Many beauty salons sell cosmetics and skincare products. A QR code on the website or in the salon can link to detailed product information, video reviews, or testimonials, helping clients make purchase decisions.
7. Loyalty Program: Beauty salons can integrate QR codes into their loyalty programs. Clients, by scanning the code, can accumulate points, receive discounts, or earn bonuses for regular visits.
8. Educational Materials: To raise awareness about various procedures or products, salons can use QR codes to access video tutorials, guides, or blogs explaining skin or hair care details.

Thus, QR codes help beauty businesses improve service levels, simplify customer interactions, and enhance marketing and product sales.

Creating a QR Code

You can create a QR code using various online services and applications.

Here are some popular websites where you can create a QR code:

1. QR Code Generator — allows you to create QR codes for links, text, contacts, Wi-Fi, and more.
2. GoQR — a simple service for creating QR codes with various types of data.
3. Google Chrome — a built-in function in the browser for quickly creating a QR code for the current page.

How to create a QR code:

1. Choose a service.
2. Enter the information (e.g., link, text, contacts).
3. Customize the design (if needed) — you can choose a color, logo, and other parameters.
4. Click the “Create QR Code” button and download it in a convenient format (PNG, SVG, etc.).

How to generate a QR code in Google Chrome:

1. Open the page for which you want to create a QR code.
2. Right-click on an empty space on the page (or on a link if you want to create a QR code for a specific link).
3. In the menu that appears, select “Create QR Code for This Page.”
4. The QR code will appear in the browser window, and you can click “Download” to save it as an image on your computer.

This QR code can be used for quick access to the selected page on other devices by simply scanning it with a phone’s camera.

QR Code Validity:

• Static QR Code: Contains unchangeable information, such as a link or text. These codes do not have an expiration date and will work as long as the link or data remains active.
• Dynamic QR Code: Allows content to be changed without altering the code itself (e.g., redirecting to another link). The validity of such QR codes depends on the service where they are created. Typically, using free versions of services may come with time or scan limitations, while in paid versions, the code can function without restrictions.

Thus, static QR codes work indefinitely, while dynamic ones may have restrictions depending on the service.

QR Code Safety Rules

Working with QR codes requires compliance with certain safety rules, as they may contain links to malicious websites or transmit data without your knowledge. Here are the main measures to help you avoid threats:

1. Do not scan QR codes from unknown sources:

• Avoid scanning QR codes from unknown or suspicious sources (e.g., random codes on the streets, business cards of unknown people, suspicious posts online). They may redirect to phishing sites that steal your data.

2. Check links before opening:

• After scanning a QR code, always check the URL before following it. Most modern scanners allow you to preview the link. If it looks suspicious or contains strange characters, it’s better not to open it.

3. Use antivirus and security software:

• Install antivirus or security applications on your smartphone that can check links for phishing and malicious websites. Some antivirus programs can also block harmful QR codes.

4. Be cautious of QR codes leading to payments:

• If a QR code offers to process a payment, be particularly cautious. Never scan payment codes if you’re unsure of their authenticity. It’s important to verify which service or banking app the code directs you to.

5. Do not share personal information:

• If a QR code redirects to a form asking for personal details (e.g., login and password), be careful. This could be a phishing attempt aimed at stealing personal information.

6. Beware of pasted QR codes:

• In public places, scammers may paste their QR codes over the original ones (e.g., in restaurants, on ATMs). Check whether the code looks suspicious (e.g., pasted over or altered).

7. Use trusted QR code scanners:

• Choose reliable apps to scan QR codes. Such apps can warn you about suspicious links or requests for access to personal data.

8. Avoid QR codes requesting access to your device:

• If the QR code, after being scanned, tries to request access to your camera, contacts, or other device functions, it may be a harmful code. Deny such requests if you don’t trust the source.

9. Update software and the operating system:

• Ensure that your device and QR code scanning apps are up-to-date. Many updates include security improvements that can protect you from new types of threats.

10. Avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi through QR codes:

• Don’t connect to Wi-Fi via QR code, especially in public places. It could be a trap for data interception. It’s better to connect to Wi-Fi manually through your device settings.

By following these rules, you will significantly reduce the risks when using QR codes and protect your data from malicious actors.