Why Adding a Phone Number to Your Poster Beats a QR Code for Local Advertising

This blog post explores why adding a physical phone number to your poster or flyer can outperform a QR code, especially when promoting your business to a local audience. Here are 10 reasons why this simple addition can make your poster advertising much more effective.

1. More Accessible Than a QR Code

Not everyone has a smartphone—or knows how to use one confidently. Including a clear phone number means anyone can get in touch, whether they’re tech-savvy or not. It’s one of the most inclusive forms of contact for local advertising.

2. Builds Trust & Local Credibility

Adding a local phone number helps build trust with your audience. It shows there's a real person behind your business. This is particularly important for small business marketing, where people want to support local and know who they're dealing with.

3. Encourages Immediate Human Interaction

Some customers simply want to ask a quick question—and speaking to someone can be more reassuring than scanning a code. A phone number invites direct contact, making your marketing poster feel more personal and responsive.

4. Reliable Even with Poor Data Signal

In many places, mobile data can be unreliable. But phone signal often still works. So while someone might not be able to scan a QR code, they can still call—which means you won’t lose that potential lead.

5. Easier to Remember and Write Down

A catchy phone number is easy to remember or scribble down. QR codes don’t stick in someone’s head. When you're promoting your business with flyers or posters, memorability is key.

6. Enables Call Tracking

Just like tracking clicks on a QR code, you can use call tracking numbers to measure how many leads come from your poster. It’s a smart way to monitor your local advertising performance and improve ROI.

7. Safer Alternative to QR Codes

Scammers have made people wary of scanning codes in public. A trusted phone number feels safer and more transparent, especially for older customers or in high-footfall locations.

8. More Accessible for Everyone

For visually impaired or older audiences, a large printed number is far easier to use than a fiddly QR code. Accessible poster design helps widen your reach—especially if your audience is diverse.

9. Drives Faster Action

A phone number encourages immediate contact. Someone might see your poster and think, “I’ll just call now.” QR codes often lead to browsing, which may or may not convert into action.

10. Feels Personal and Local

People buy from people. Having a number that connects them directly to you (or a friendly voice) gives your marketing a personal, human touch—something especially valuable for independent businesses.

Final Thoughts: Use Both, But Don’t Skip the Number

We’re not saying ditch the QR code. It’s still useful for sending people to a website or booking form. But if you want people to engage immediately, especially in a local setting, a phone number is often the stronger call to action.

The best approach? Use both. Let people choose how they interact with your business.

If you’re concerned about sharing your personal number, you can use a virtual phone number that connects to your mobile. It keeps things professional while maintaining flexibility.

Need help setting up a virtual number for your poster or ad campaign?
We’re here to help! Get in touch and we’ll walk you through some simple, affordable options that work brilliantly for small businesses.