How to Create a QR Code Free!

Back in the day, QR codes were only used in inventory management systems. They had their own benefit in that application. But, ever since we were able to scan QR codes with our phones, there are hundreds of ways to use these codes. Payments can be made, information can be scanned, pages can be visited, forms can be filled; QR codes are an amazing way of saving time and that’s why they’ve become a part of the mainstream market today. So, if you’re looking to create a QR code, you’re on the right path. Here’s all you need to know about creating a QR code and using it practically for your application.

3 Steps To Create A QR Code

Creating a QR code is fairly simple. If you’re new to creating code, here’s how to make one for your application.

Select the Type of Code

The first thing you need to choose is the right type of QR code for your needs. There are quite a few to choose from. URL codes, vCard codes, Plain Text codes, Wi-Fi codes, Bitcoin codes, etc. are a few types of QR codes that you can create.

Fill in the Details

Every type of QR code that we mentioned above has a different set of address fields that need to be entered for the QR code to work. Here’s a table with all the fields you’ll need to fill in for each respective QR code.

Download the QR Code

Once you’ve filled in all the right fields, the only thing left to do is download the QR code and use it wherever you want to.

You can generate QR codes with our online QR code generator. Our QR code generator have a multitude of QR code types that you can create and allows you to customize the design of the QR code.

Choosing a QR Code Generator

Choosing the right QR code generator isn’t as simple as just doing a simple Google search and going for whatever pops up on the top of the list. You can choose to create a QR code using an online QR code generator, a QR code generator mobile app or a QR code generator software installed in your computer. Before you choose a service, you need to consider the points below.

Creating QR Codes on the Go

The whole purpose of QR codes is to save time. If your QR code takes any longer than a minute to generate and distribute, you’re not using the right service.

Standard Sizes

Some QR code generators have to resort to bigger codes because of long URLs. They may serve the purpose, but they’re not as visually aesthetic as standard-sized codes. It doesn’t matter how dense a standard QR Code is. It can be scanned quickly and has a much lesser chance of failing the scan.

Dynamic Codes

You just generated a QR code for your company website and printed it on 5000 brochures. But, you accidentally misspelled the URL while typing it into the generator. If you’re using a static QR code, you’re sort of screwed and will have to chuck those brochures in the trash. However, if you were using dynamic codes, there wouldn’t be much of a problem. You could just simply log back onto your generator and swap out the wrong URL with the right one.

Decent Range of Options

A lot of QR code generators only support URLs. URLs are practically the most basic necessity that people have when they use QR codes. However, they’re not the only thing convertible to QR codes. We went through a bunch of QR code types in the section above, and if you’re looking for a reliable QR code generator, it’s best to find one that can provide a fair variety of options.

Track QR Code

Depending on the purpose of the QR code, the ability to track QR code may also be important to the user. Tracking a QR codes gives you access to some amazing metrics such as the location where it was scanned, how many times users scanned it, etc. These metrics can help you a lot in measuring the success of the QR code.

Related: Check out our blog post on QR code management.

If you’re having trouble finding the right QR code generator, you can check out our online QR code generator! Online QR code generator is an easy and convenient option as it doesn’t require any download or installation.

Customize Your QR Code

QR codes used to be a simple slab of black and white lines. Back in the day, this used to be more than enough. However, now that we have the option to add a little bit of color to the QR code, it simply just doesn’t cut it. Here’s how you can add some bling to your QR code.

Adding Color

QR codes can be changed from the standard black and white into a more colorful palette. You can use different gradients as well without impacting the scanability of the code. However, you do have to maintain a fair bit of contrast between the background color and the code. Otherwise, QR code scanners are going to have a hard time scanning whatever is on the screen.

Curve the Edges

Curving edges might not be a necessity. But, they certainly make your QR code look a lot easier on the eyes. Round the edges of your QR code and have them sit well with the rest of the designs on your brochure and posters.

Add Your Logo

One of the best ways to add a personal touch to the QR code is to add your logo to it. Most QR code generators provide the option to add a logo by default. However, if your generator doesn’t, you can simply use Photoshop to add it on your own. However, if you’re editing the QR code in Photoshop, you should keep error correction in mind. Error correction defines the number of boxes you can alter before the QR code becomes unusable. Make sure you check if the QR code is working after every change you make.

Practically Using the QR Code

You’ve already learnt how to create a QR code, but how can you use it in the real world? Here are a few tips you need to keep in mind before you print/paste your QR code on your marketing material.

Keep Sizes in Mind

You have to realize that the scale of your QR code will greatly impact its scanability. A QR code pasted at the bottom of a small brochure can easily be scanned. But, if you add a small QR code to a poster that’s going to be pasted on a billboard, people will have difficulty scanning it from afar. Keep your end goal in mind and determine the size of your QR code accordingly.

Paste it on Flat Surfaces

QR codes require a flat surface to work properly. If the surface in question is curved, wrinkled, or creased, there’s a good chance that the scan will fail.

Laminations

Laminations might be necessary for the material you’re pasting the QR code on. However, the light reflections from the QR code might make it difficult for your consumers to scan the QR code.

Keep Things Simple

Yes, we just told you how you could add a bit of bling to your QR codes. However, you have to keep things simple at the same time. Your QR code is there only to redirect to some other more important thing. It doesn’t deserve to be overvalued by adding in too many decorations to it. Your QR codes should be attractive, but don’t overdo it.

Give an Explanation

A QR code is one of the best ways to quickly access information. If you’re using it anywhere, you’re probably saving your audience a lot of time. But, think about it. Would you be willing to scan a code without knowing what it leads to? It’s extremely important to make sure that your audience knows exactly what the code leads to. For instance, if the code leads to a payment method, that should clearly be mentioned somewhere near the QR code. Or if the QR code on the poster leads to a lucky draw, then this has to be clearly stated.

Getting Help Making Your QR Code 

You can easily make your own QR Codes on your computer or mobile device, but if you’re planning a marketing campaign that will include a QR Code, you can ask your graphic designer or printer for help creating one. Here’s a handy list to follow: 

Make sure the QR Code is a standard size

You don’t want it to be so big or small that it’s unsightly or unreadable. 

Review the code generator’s capabilities

Double check to make sure the QR Code generator they’re using will allow you to change the destination of the QR Code, if needed. 

Make sure the QR Code generator can accommodate the four most common data types

These four include URL, plain text, phone, and SMS (also known as texting, which any tween or teenager can explain to you if you’re unfamiliar with it). 

Make sure you have the ability to track the QR Code on your own

It’s up to you, not your designer and printer, to track the results of your QR Code campaign. 

Test the code

Ask your printer to give you a final proof so you can test the QR Code you’ll utimately use. Again, check twice; use once. 

Testing your QR Code 

After you create a QR Code, you want to test it before you use it in a campaign, to make sure it’s working. Here are some suggestions for testing your QR Code to make sure it works in the real world. 

Scan the QR Code in different lighting

If it doesn’t work, you can increase the contrast of the code (a darker color on a lighter background if you started with something lighter than a black code on a white background) or you can take steps to make sure it’s displayed in an area with the right amount of light. 

Try it out on multiple devices

Scan the code with as many different types of devices – old and new – and QR Code readers as possible to make sure it works. 

Test the code at the distance it will be scanned by people

Sure, the code works correctly when you scan it on the table in your office. But what about when the QR Code is on a billboard and hundreds of yards from where people will scan it? Will it work then? 

Test Internet access in that area

Make sure people have Internet access at the very spot at which the code will be scanned. Everyone knows how temperamental mobile and Wi-Fi service can be- one spot might be a dead zone, but ten feet away you might have coverage. It’s frustrating but a reality you need to prepare for. Giving people a QR Code with no Internet connection is like giving them a car with no wheels. Using a QR Code at a trade show is a great idea, but not when it’s in that part of the exhibit hall that has a notoriously bad Internet connection. You won’t know until you try to scan the QR Code at the very spot others will be scanning it. 

The bottom line is test, test, test as closely as possible to where, when, and how regular people with ordinary technology will be scanning the QR Code. 

Where to create a QR code?

You can generate a multitude of QR code types with our free QR Code generator.

You don’t have to worry about being a designer since the app is user-friendly. You just pick a design, enter the required field(s), and then voila, you can download your QR code.

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Credits

Credits for images use in this article ‘How to Create a QR Code Free!’.

Technology vector created by upklyak – www.freepik.com

Photo by Albert Hu on Unsplash