These days, more than ever, companies are using QR codes to communicate with customers and distribute valuable information.
However, whether you want to generate a QR code for your business or personal reasons, you should know where to start and what tools to use. This is the purpose of this guide.
Below, you’ll find a step-by-step breakdown of how to create a QR code and some situations when you might need to use a QR code.
How to create a personal QR code?
Sometimes, you may want to prepare a QR code for a personal project, sharing information with your friends or for fun social events like parties. In these cases, you can generate QR codes with free downloadable tools and a few basic steps.
1. Download the free QR code generator
Since your personal QR code doesn’t need a lot of additional controls, you can easily find and download a free QR code generator. There are QR code generators for iPhone and Android devices.
Either way, your mobile app will quickly generate QR codes without attaching any analytics code or data (because you won’t need it). Most downloads only take a few minutes at most to complete.
2. Choose the QR data format
Your next step is to choose a data format. The majority of free QR code generators offer several different format options, including:
Format options describe the type of data presented to the user who scans the QR code. Once the QR code is scanned, the device will start any applicable software required.
For example, if you set up your own free QR code with a phone number, scanning it will cause the person’s phone to open the dialer on their mobile device and automatically enter the phone number.
3. Enter your data
In this step, you need to enter the relevant data in the fields of your QR code generator. For example, if you enter a website or landing page URL, you must type website.
Try to keep any data or text under 300 characters, as older phones have trouble with QR codes longer than 300 characters (numbers or text).
4. Change QR code color
Several free QR code generators enable you to change the color of the resulting code image.
Most QR codes are black and white, but nothing says they have to be that simple. You can change the color of your QR code to green, red, blue, or something else entirely.
Depending on the QR code generator you choose, this setting can be below a button like options, color, or something else. Note that some QR code generators also allow you to change the size of the code image (for example, the box that the QR code forms an object that can be scanned).
5. Start sharing your QR Code
You have created a QR code for friends and family members. Practically every free QR code generator lets you download your code in PNG format, which means you can add it to a document, personal website, and email signature.
You can share your QR codes wherever you want.
Related: Create QR codes to improve interaction with your customers
How to make business QR code?
In other cases, you may need to create a QR code for your business. Corporate QR codes need to be more personalized and comprehensive – and that often means you need to pay for a QR code generator.
These basic barcodes are great for business cards, social media posts, and quick responses to questions or feedback requests.
1. Find and buy a good QR Code Generator
Since business QR codes need to work very consistently and, in many cases, track user data for analytics purposes, chances are you’ll want to find and purchase a quality QR code generator app. Fortunately, these are usually only a few dollars in most app stores.
Find a QR code generator that offers the services you need, such as tracking data, updating and exchanging the code.
Many QR code companies offer different services at different price points or levels. Do your research, and be sure to download a QR code generator that has excellent reviews.
Most paid static QR code makers, such as templates and real-time data collection, have additional functionality. Just make sure the vendor you choose generates codes for users – your user base may only scan QR codes of a certain type.
2. Custom QR code design
Once you download the QR code generator for your needs, design your new code using the tools built into the generator. Most QR code generators that cost money allow you to customize your own QR codes.
Customization options include:
- Unique styles and shapes for your icon.
- Include the logo.
- Change color and size.
You can use these tools to make your QR code image stand out from the competition. This can be a useful form of negative SMS advertising and other use cases.
3. Create QR codes for your needs
Next, you’ll want to create the embed icons that link to your work materials or web pages.
For example, you can associate QR codes with coupons, take users to store or product pages, and take users to restaurant menus. Create the symbols and enter text as needed, as shown in the step-by-step tutorial above.
Again, try to keep any text or numbers under 300 characters. This way, even individuals with older phones can easily download and use your company QR codes using a QR code reader on their iOS or Android phones.
4. Post commercial QR codes
Now is the time to publish your company QR codes as needed. Once you have created enough QR codes, you can utilize them as marketing materials in your next campaign. Place them in print ads, online ads, websites, billboards, and even product packaging.
5. Track your QR Code campaign
As you scan and use your QR codes, you need to be able to track which users interact with them.
For example, you can see which QR codes your users use most often and which ones work best. All of this information can be invaluable for fine-tuning a marketing campaign.
Related: How dynamic QR codes have become an essential tool for every business out there
When might you need to generate a QR Code?
You may need to generate a QR code in many cases. QR codes are handy data packets that instantly transmit or open information to a viewer, customer, or potential customer.
Here are some examples when you need to know how to generate a QR code.
Restaurant menus
Restaurant menus are excellent examples of information customers can use with QR codes. Many restaurants these days are ditching paper or plastic menus altogether (they had to do so during the COVID-19 pandemic and many simply continued the QR code trend).
Restaurants can place QR codes on the tables for their patrons. Diners can then take out their phone, use the camera app as a QR code scanner and have digital menus pop up in the palm of their hand.
This speeds up service, as servers don’t have to fetch menus back and forth, and gives patrons complete control over when they browse menus.
For example, if a diner has finished a meal and wants dessert, they don’t have to ask a server for a menu if they already have a handy QR code on their table.
Customer FAQ forms
Online and retail customers often have questions about products, services, and company policies such as shipping. Customer FAQ forms and pages can be linked to QR codes on products, retail windows, and shelves.
This kind of customer self-service is very useful and very valuable. In fact, many modern customers prefer self-service solutions and options over having to ask a salesperson or some other employee.
Customer feedback forms
Whether you run a restaurant, retail store, or any other physical based business, you will need customer feedback.
Fortunately, you can connect QR codes to your brand’s Google reviews page. This is a quick and easy way to inspire customers to leave a brief review of your service or business when they leave your store without doing so.
You will want to gain as many positive reviews as possible in the early days of your business.
By placing customer reviews and comments on QR codes in plain sight or close at hand, you will improve the chances that satisfied customers will leave you a short Google review.
You can do the same for restaurants by attaching a QR code to your company’s Yelp page or Google review page.
In any case, making it easy to leave customer reviews increases the feedback you receive. Then you can use this feedback to improve your business in various ways.
Nonprofit outreach or charitable donations
Do you run a non-profit organization, such as a charity or foundation? In these cases, QR codes can be very useful tools.
For example, you can set up QR codes on brochures or brochures, letting guests and potential donors read about your nonprofit. QR Codes can link to About Us and FAQ pages. This is invaluable for spreading awareness about your organization and its goals.
You can also set up QR codes on tables at galas, conferences and other social events. The great benefit of QR codes is the ability to make information readily available to everyone who attends.
In addition, people do not have to put a piece of paper or other booklet in their bags or pockets that contain QR codes; They just have to scan it with their phone.
Sign up for the event or register
Finally, you can and should use QR codes for event registrations and registration forms. Getting people to sign up with their phone is much easier than handing out paper with pens or pencils.
With an event registration QR code, individuals interested in attending an event can scan the code, fill in their information and have the ticket or registration information sent to their email addresses.
QR Code event registration and sign up is quick, easy and much faster for event organizers to keep track of.
Placing these QR Codes strategically is vital, of course. Set up event sign-up QR codes on desks, chairs, tables, brochures, or other paper products you plan to use and distribute to attendees.
Related: How menu QR codes have become an essential tool for every restaurant and bar
Create a QR Code today
Now you know how to generate a QR code and when you might need to post it. Use these steps to quickly and easily create a QR code for your business or personal needs.
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