"First 100 Customers Get 50% Off"
You want to run a 'first 100 customers' promotion. Print flyers with a QR code to the discount page. But how do you actually limit it to 100? Manually disable the QR after counting? Hope nobody shares it? Use the honor system?
With scan limits, you set the number: 100. The QR code tracks itself. Scan #100 gets the discount. Scan #101 sees 'Sorry, this offer has ended.' Automatic. Enforceable. No cheating.
Real scarcity, not fake urgency. When you say 'first 100', you mean it.
Why Limits Create Urgency
Psychology 101: People want what they can't have. 'Limited to 100' makes people act NOW. 'Available forever' makes people think 'I'll do it later.' (They won't.)
| Without Limits | With Limits |
|---|---|
| 'Get our discount' - yawn | 'First 50 customers only' - I need to act NOW |
| People share codes freely | People guard codes like secrets |
| No urgency to act | Fear of missing out kicks in |
| Unlimited = unlimited procrastination | Limited = immediate action |
| Can't prove exclusivity | Mathematically exclusive |
How Businesses Use This
| Limit | Campaign | What Happens After Limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | One-time secure document download | Link dies after first view |
| 50 | Free sample giveaway at trade show | Redirects to 'Samples gone, see you next year' |
| 100 | VIP early access to new product | Redirects to regular product page |
| 500 | Contest entry via QR | Redirects to 'Contest closed, winners announced soon' |
| 1000 | Limited edition merch drop | Redirects to 'Sold out - join waitlist' |
What Happens at Limit?
You decide what visitors see after the limit is reached:
- Default message - 'This content is no longer available'
- Custom redirect - Send them to any URL (waitlist, regular pricing, next campaign)
One-Time Links (Limit = 1)
Set limit to 1 for truly one-time content. Perfect for: secure document delivery, personal discount codes, confidential links. Once scanned, it's dead forever. Even the same person can't scan again.
Tip
Killer combo: Scan limit + scheduling. 'First 100 scans during launch week only.' Double the urgency, double the action.
Warning
Once a limit is reached, it's reached. You can't 'unscan' someone. Set your limit carefully before printing.
- How to Set Scan Limits on a QR Code? - Step-by-step guide to set up scan limits
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