QR codes are everywhere these days. You can find them on products, posters, flyers, websites, social media, and more. They are a simple and effective way to connect with your audience, whether online or offline.
But what are QR codes and how do they work? QR codes are square-shaped barcodes that can store various types of information, such as URLs, text, email, phone, etc. When scanned with a smartphone or another device, they can trigger an action, such as opening a website, sending an email, making a call, etc.
According to a report by Juniper Research, the number of QR code coupons redeemed via mobile will reach 7.2 billion by 2023. This shows the potential and popularity of QR codes for marketing and customer engagement.
We will show you how to use a QR code generator to create and scan QR codes for different purposes and benefits. We will also provide some tips and best practices for designing and customising QR codes, as well as some examples and case studies of how QR codes have been used successfully by individuals or businesses in various fields and niches.
How to use a QR code generator to create QR codes?
Creating QR codes is easy and fast with QR code generators. QR code generator is a free online tool that allows you to generate QR codes in a few clicks. Here are the steps and tools involved in creating QR codes with QR code generator:
Go to the QR code generator and choose the type of QR code you want to create from the menu on the left. You can choose from URL, text, email, phone, SMS, vCard, meCard, location, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, WiFi, and Bitcoin.
Enter the information or data you want to encode in the QR code in the corresponding fields on the right. For example, if you want to create a QR code for a URL, enter the website address in the URL field.
Customise the appearance of your QR code by changing the color, shape, logo, and background. You can also adjust the size and resolution of your QR code by using the slider or entering the values manually.
Preview your QR code and make sure it works by scanning it with your smartphone or another device. You can also test your QR code with different QR code readers to ensure compatibility and functionality.
Download your QR code as an image file (PNG, JPG, SVG, or EPS) or a PDF file. You can also print your QR code directly from the website or share it via email or social media.
How to use a QR code generator to scan QR codes?
Scanning QR codes is also easy and fast with QR code generators. QR code generator is not only a tool to create QR codes, but also a tool to scan QR codes. Here are the steps and tools involved in scanning QR codes with QR code generator:
- Go to the QR code generator and click on the “Scan QR Code” button. You will need to allow access to your camera or webcam to scan QR codes.
- Point your camera or webcam to the QR code you want to scan and make sure it is in focus and within the frame. The QR code will be scanned automatically and the information or data encoded in the QR code will be displayed on the screen.
- You can also upload an image file of a QR code from your computer or mobile device and scan it with a QR code generator. Just click on the “Upload QR Code” button and select the image file you want to scan.
- You can also scan QR codes from other websites or online sources by entering the URL of the QR code image in the “Scan QR Code from URL” field and clicking on the “Scan QR Code” button.
How to use QR code generators to enhance your online and offline presence?
Using QR codes can bring many benefits and advantages for your personal or professional goals, such as marketing, branding, networking, etc. Here are some of the ways you can use QR codes to enhance your online and offline presence:
Use QR codes to direct your audience to your website, blog, social media, portfolio, or any other online platform where you want to showcase your work, products, services, or content. This can help you increase your traffic, followers, subscribers, or customers.
Use QR codes to provide your audience with additional information, resources, or content that are relevant and valuable to them. For example, you can use QR codes to link to a video, a podcast, an ebook, a white paper, a case study, a testimonial, or a survey.
Use QR codes to offer your audience incentives, discounts, coupons, or rewards that can motivate them to take action, such as buying your product, signing up for your newsletter, joining your community, or referring your business to others.
Use QR codes to collect feedback, data, or contact information from your audience that can help you improve your products, services, or content, as well as build relationships and trust with them. For example, you can use QR codes to link to a contact form, a feedback form, a rating system, or a chatbot.
Use QR codes to create fun and interactive experiences for your audience that can engage them and make them remember you. For example, you can use QR codes to link to a game, a quiz, a puzzle, a scavenger hunt, or a virtual reality.
Examples and case studies of successful QR code usage
QR codes have been used successfully by individuals or businesses in various fields and niches. Here are some examples and case studies of how QR codes have been used creatively and effectively for different purposes and projects:
- Netflix used QR codes to promote its shows and movies by placing them on billboards, posters, and flyers. The QR codes linked to the trailers, teasers, or behind-the-scenes videos of the shows and movies, as well as the Netflix app or website where the audience could watch them.
- Spotify used QR codes to share music and podcasts by embedding them in the Spotify app. The QR codes allowed the users to scan and play any song, album, playlist, or podcast on Spotify, as well as to share them with others via social media or messaging apps.
- Nike used QR codes to create personalised shoes by placing them on the NikeID app. The QR codes enabled the users to scan and customise their own shoes with different colours, styles, and features, as well as to order them online or in-store.
- Starbucks used QR codes to engage customers and boost sales by placing them on the Starbucks app, cups, and napkins. The QR codes linked to the Starbucks Rewards program, where the customers could earn points, redeem rewards, or pay for their orders with their mobile devices.
- UNICEF used QR codes to raise awareness and funds for children in need by placing them on the UNICEF Tap Project website and campaign materials. The QR codes challenged the users to go without their phones for 10 minutes, and for every 10 minutes they did, a sponsor would donate enough money to provide a day of clean water for a child in need.
Conclusion:
QR codes are a powerful and versatile tool to connect with your audience, whether online or offline. They can help you grow your online presence and achieve your business goals. With QR code generators, you can easily create and scan QR codes for different purposes and benefits.