If baby brands want to succeed in such a crowded, competitive market, they have a huge hurdle to clear: winning the trust of new parents. And to win their trust, you have to convince them to engage with your brand—a challenge when there are dozens of other options on the shelf.
QR Codes give baby brands a way to turn touchpoints like packaging or store signage into moments of connection and engagement. Used strategically, they can transform the customer experience and help you build stronger relationships with your audience.
With Bitly, you can create branded, trackable QR Codes and corresponding mobile landing pages without the need for a full tech team. Here’s how to incorporate QR Codes into your baby brand’s product packaging and marketing strategy.
Note: The brands and examples discussed below were found during our online research for this article.
Why QR Codes are a smart tool for baby brands
QR Codes are a simple, user-friendly way to quickly share helpful resources and information with busy new parents. Here’s why they’re so effective for growing baby brands looking to deliver a better customer experience.
New parents want instant answers and easy access
New parents are navigating an incredibly hectic and challenging phase of life. They want to make informed decisions when purchasing baby products, but they don’t have time to browse long product pages or dig for specific pieces of information. This is especially true when they’re shopping in-store and may only have a few seconds to make a decision.
QR Codes on displays and packaging can let parents instantly access key product information like ingredients, instructions, or reviews. And when you use a robust QR Code generator like Bitly, it’s easy to ensure your codes are mobile-friendly, trackable, and convenient for both customers and marketers.
Packaging and displays are valuable real estate
Many baby brands already invest in a strong visual brand identity, especially when it comes to packaging design and retail displays. QR Codes build on this effort, connecting your physical brand assets to your digital ones.
The result is seamless brand storytelling that extends the customer experience beyond the shelf. By adding QR Codes to your most eye-catching in-store assets, you can drive audiences straight to online content like reviews, tutorials, and brand stories.
Plus, with Bitly’s Dynamic QR Codes, you can change the destination at any time, so it’s easy to ensure your linked content is always up to date and relevant.
Loyalty is built through trust and follow-up
QR Codes are also a powerful strategy for consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands that are looking to build customer loyalty. Items like baby food and diapers need to be repurchased regularly, so better brand loyalty can result in a more consistent revenue stream.
Consistently sharing helpful content with customers is a great way to win their trust and build long-term brand affinity. And QR Codes make it simple to share nearly any type of resource you want.
Include QR Codes on your product packaging that link to safety information or ingredient lists. Encourage customers to scan a code on your marketing materials and follow your brand on social media. If you have a loyalty program, link to it with a QR Code on in-store signage so customers can easily sign up and earn rewards for repeat purchases.
Or make it simple for your audience and yourself by linking to all of it—all in one place. Bitly Pages helps you consolidate multiple content links into a single mobile-optimized destination. With Bitly Pages, you can build a digital hub for all your brand content, no coding ability required.
It’s a low-effort way to modernize
QR Codes are a simple, cost-effective way to modernize your marketing strategy without having to build a new tech stack or completely redesign your packaging and assets. You can even start small by linking to things like a digital coupon or your social media profiles.
Getting started with Bitly’s QR Code generator is fast and easy. You can create your first Bitly Code in just a few minutes, making it a great choice for startups and small teams that need to maximize results with minimal time and resources.
Engagement can now be measured
Bitly QR Codes are trackable, meaning you can turn offline touchpoints like packaging, displays, and signage into measurable marketing channels.
By implementing strategic QR Code placement and tracking (more on this later!), you can see which products, stores, or messages are driving the most scans. On your Bitly dashboard, you’ll get clear insights on scan trends, locations (city/country), and devices to help you refine and improve your marketing strategies.
Packaging and shelf examples that build trust in your baby brand
From product packaging to signage, there are so many creative ways for baby brands to use QR Code marketing across every touchpoint. Here are some ideas to spark inspiration for your next CPG marketing campaign.
Link to ingredient lists or allergy info
Many parents are concerned about the safety and quality of the baby products they use, especially if their child has allergies or sensitive skin. In fact, one study found that 90% of parents worry about toxic chemicals in their baby products. You can use QR Codes to share ingredient lists, put their mind at ease, and build confidence in your brand.
Just place QR Codes on the back of your boxes, pouches, or bags that link to detailed ingredient lists, along with explanations of any ingredients parents may not be familiar with. You can also include information about FDA approvals for food products or share where the products were manufactured.
Worried about reprinting packaging when details change? With Bitly’s Dynamic QR Codes, you can update the destination at any time without having to regenerate or reprint the code. And since you’re not limited by your packaging size or design, you can seamlessly share as much product information as you want.
Provide usage instructions or setup videos
For baby products that require some assembly or setup, place a QR Code on the packaging that links to a video with a step-by-step breakdown of how to put it together. This approach can increase customer satisfaction with products like cribs, strollers, and baby carriers.
Bitly Pages is the perfect place to house your how-to videos and other helpful resources, such as customer support links and usage tips. Having all of this helpful information in one place reduces frustration and confusion during the assembly process for a better overall experience.
Offer scan-to-register product warranties
Expensive baby purchases like car seats and cribs often come with product warranties. If you offer a warranty for your baby products, try using QR Codes to make the registration process easier for customers.
QR Codes on product packaging or inserts can link to warranty registration forms, making sign-up quick and convenient for customers. All they need to do is scan the code with their smartphone to access the online form. And since Bitly QR Codes are trackable, you can monitor scan rates to see how well the strategy is working and tweak it as needed.
For example, you can create two codes that link to your registration form, placing one on the product packaging and the other on a packaging insert. By tracking scans, you can see which placement gets the most engagement and optimize your other products accordingly.
Share your brand mission or story
Many baby brands build trust with their audiences by being purpose-driven. It’s also common for brands in this sector to have interesting founder stories. For example, many entrepreneurs are inspired to create baby products after shopping for their own children and failing to find items that meet their needs.
To appeal to your audience on an emotional level, use QR Codes to share your brand’s story, mission, and ethos. You might link to a landing page with videos from your founder, information about how your brand gives back, and details on your ethics and sustainability efforts.
Sharing this information deepens customers’ connections with your brand, keeping them coming back again and again. And Bitly’s branded QR Codes and short links help you ensure that the entire experience is cohesive and aligned with your brand identity.
Deliver a digital coupon or next-purchase offer
Another effective way to build brand loyalty is to use QR Codes to share special offers. For example, you could include a QR Code on your product packaging that gives customers an exclusive discount on their next purchase, encouraging repeat purchases.
You can even use different QR Codes for each promotion and leverage Bitly’s tracking features to see which offer generates the most engagement. Or you could create unique QR Codes for each product line or retailer you work with and compare their performance using Bitly Analytics.
How to keep baby brand customers engaged after purchase
The reality for baby brands is that customers may only need your products for a few months. With such a narrow window of relevance, you really have to capitalize on every opportunity to build customer loyalty and increase lifetime value.
QR Codes can help by keeping customers engaged with your brand, even after they’ve made their initial purchase.
Invite parents to join a loyalty or rewards program
Loyalty programs are an easy way to encourage repeat purchases. By signing up for a loyalty program, customers can earn discounts, free products, and other exclusive perks just by shopping with your brand.
QR Codes make loyalty program sign-ups quick and easy. Just place them on product packaging or store signage linking to a page where customers can create an account, then earn and redeem their points.
Baby brands can even use Bitly Pages to create an online loyalty program hub with information, sign-up details, and perks all in one spot.
Share parenting tips or product usage hacks
A simple but effective way to build loyalty with parents is to share informational content that’s relevant to their lives. Use QR Codes to link to blog posts, videos, and infographics that help parents get more out of the products they’re purchasing.
For example, baby food brands can link to helpful feeding tips based on developmental milestones, while companies that offer cribs, monitors, or blankets could share safe sleep practices or hacks to make nap time easier.
By sharing informative content with customers, you provide value that goes beyond the initial purchase. Plus, you can leverage Bitly’s Analytics features to see which topics generate the most engagement and optimize your strategy.
Connect with your social channels
A strong social media presence is essential for today’s baby brands, and you can use QR Codes to turn your customers into engaged followers.
Include a QR Code on your packaging and in-store displays linking to your social media pages on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and more. Sharing your social media profiles boosts brand visibility and nurtures community at the same time.
Branded links and QR Codes also make these online destinations more trustworthy and click-friendly. So be sure to customize your QR Codes with your brand’s colors and logo, and use your own domain in short links for a branded experience from end to end.
How to use QR Codes for retail, influencer, and campaign engagement
QR Codes are a versatile tool that you can incorporate in a variety of different marketing and branding strategies. So let’s look at some ways baby brands can use QR Codes beyond product packaging.
Add QR Codes to in-store displays or shelf talkers
When selling your baby products in large retail stores, you need a way to stand out, and QR Codes can help. Add QR Codes to your retail displays to direct customers straight to engaging content like videos, reviews, or awards your brand has won.
These small details differentiate your brand from the competition and can influence buying decisions at the point of purchase. Meanwhile, Bitly scan data helps you track engagement levels and determine which locations (city/country) or campaigns are generating the most attention.
Use QR Codes in influencer kits and PR drops
Working with parenting influencers is an effective way to boost your brand visibility. Studies show that 80% of parents of small children use social media to get parenting tips, and influencers within that niche can have a lot of sway over buying decisions.
When sending samples to influencers, include an insert with a QR Code linking to a digital media kit. Depending on your strategy, this kit could include campaign briefs, product videos, official brand assets, or any other information that helps influencers tell a more complete and accurate story when promoting your brand.
This strategy also works well when sharing PR pitches with journalists. Since Bitly QR Codes are trackable, you can monitor scan data to see how many recipients have engaged with your pitch.
Support seasonal or product launch campaigns
QR Codes work well for time-sensitive promotional campaigns, such as seasonal collections or new product launches. With QR Codes, you can link to campaign-specific landing pages to seamlessly move customers through the sales funnel.
Bitly’s Dynamic QR Codes can be reused across campaigns, even if you need to change the destination URL, giving your campaign assets an extra layer of flexibility. Bitly folders and link labels also help you keep all your links and codes organized for easy tracking and management.
Run contests or giveaways with QR entry
Contests and giveaways are a fun way to generate hype for your baby brand, and QR Codes make them easy to enter. Just use QR Codes on packaging and in-store displays to link to an online giveaway entry form, and pair them with a call-to-action (CTA) like “Scan to Win!”
Since QR Codes are so easy to use, they streamline the entry process and encourage more engagement. You can also set up a Bitly Page to house your entry form and track engagement with both your codes and your landing page all in the same place.
Best practices for QR Code use in baby product marketing
Want to get more out of your baby brand’s QR Codes? Follow these best practices for a great user experience and more successful campaigns.
Use parent-friendly CTAs
All marketing QR Codes should be paired with clear, action-driven CTAs, such as “Scan to see how it works” or “Scan for allergy info.” Punchy, concise language lets parents know what to do and what to expect from the QR Code. If your CTAs are too vague (think a generic “Scan me”), it can create confusion among your audience and lower your overall scan rates.
With Bitly’s customization options, you can add your CTA directly to the QR Code design—and pair each QR Code with a descriptive Bitly short link to reinforce your message.
Make sure every scan leads to mobile-friendly content
Whether you have an in-store, online, or hybrid retail brand, there’s a good chance audiences will interact with your content on their smartphones, especially when they’re reaching it via QR Code. So it’s important to ensure all of your destinations are mobile-friendly.
Just imagine a potential customer standing in front of a store shelf, holding a baby with one hand and scanning your QR Code in the other. Can they easily navigate through the site, or will they get frustrated and give up?
QR Code-linked pages should be designed with mobile users in mind. They need to load quickly, display clearly on small screens, and keep navigation simple. Bitly Pages are built for exactly that—with mobile-first layouts that create a smooth, user-friendly experience.
Choose high-contrast, scannable designs
Thoughtful design and placement are key for successful QR Code marketing. Each QR Code should be large enough to scan properly and use high-contrast colors for visibility.
Additionally, be sure to place your QR Codes in a highly visible area on your packaging or marketing materials, and maintain plenty of white space between the design and the code. If there’s too much visual noise surrounding the QR Code, it could get lost in the shuffle and be difficult to scan.
If your QR Code doesn’t scan easily, it could reflect negatively on your brand and deter customers from shopping with you. To prevent this, test out your QR Code with several different types of smartphones before launching your campaign.
Need some design inspiration? Check out our consumer packaged goods QR Code gallery!
Use Dynamic QR Codes when content might change
It’s likely that your promotional materials and product packaging will change over time, especially as you grow and acquire new customers. Use Dynamic QR Codes for more flexibility as your strategy evolves.
With a Dynamic QR Code, you can change the destination URL at any time, so there’s no need to reprint your marketing materials. Bitly makes it simple with a user-friendly dashboard where you can create, manage, edit, and track all of your codes in one place.
How Bitly helps baby brands build better connections
With multiple robust tools in one intuitive platform, Bitly is a one-stop shop for baby brands that are looking to build deeper connections with their audiences. Here’s what makes Bitly such a powerful digital marketing tool.
One platform for branded links, QR Codes, and landing pages
Bitly combines a QR Code generator, URL shortener, no-code landing page building, and analytics tool all in one cohesive platform. With Bitly, there’s no need to bounce back and forth between different programs. You can manage campaigns, track performance, and publish content on your landing pages, all in one place.
This reduces friction across your marketing strategy and helps ensure consistent branding, making campaign management easier for small teams.
Easy to use, even for non-technical teams
Anyone can use Bitly, regardless of their level of tech expertise. Bitly doesn’t require any coding experience, experience with complex design tools, or advanced setup processes.
This means you can launch your new QR Codes, short links, and landing pages in minutes, not weeks. Bitly’s efficiency and user-friendliness make it ideal for fast-moving marketing cycles and seasonal promotions.
Built-in analytics to optimize every scan
Bitly Analytics helps you track QR Code scans in real time, so you can determine which marketing strategies are most effective. Depending on your Bitly plan, you can track:
- Total scans
- Scans over time
- Scans by location (city/country)
- Scans by device (Apple/Android)
- Scans by referrer
This data can help you better understand your audience’s preferences and guide your future packaging, retail, and content decisions. You can also integrate Bitly with tools like Google Analytics for even deeper marketing and engagement insights.
Build loyalty with smarter QR Code experiences through Bitly
QR Codes make it easy for baby brands to connect with new parents in meaningful, memorable ways. Whether you’re linking to helpful content, product tips, or promotions, QR Codes turn physical products into digital experiences that build loyalty and drive repeat purchases.
Bitly’s Dynamic QR Codes are customizable and trackable—so you can create a cohesive, branded experience across every touchpoint and gain real-time insights into every scan. Add in Bitly Links and Pages, and you have everything you need to start building real, engaging connections with your audience, all in one user-friendly platform.
Ready to drive loyalty and stand out from the competition? Sign up for Bitly today!
