How To Create a QR Code in 5 Simple Steps

Welcome to our simple, step-by-step guide on making your own QR codes – updated for 2021.

QR codes are becoming more popular because consumers have finally learned how to use them. Restaurants, retail businesses, consultants, among others, all want to learn how to create QR code to get noticed, generate sales—and do it with contactless solutions.

Any person with access to the web today can create QR codes. There are many free QR code generators and we include a list of the top QR code generators below, with notes on the components of each. But first, let’s start by understanding what QR codes are and how they work.

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What Is a QR Code?

A Quick Response code, or simply QR code for short, is a type of barcode that contains much more information than standard barcodes. QR codes are 2-D (two-dimensional) and look very different from standard barcodes too. Rather than simply bars and numbers like a barcode on a can of vegetables, generated QR codes usually come in a logo image, which is a recognizable square shape that contains angled markers and more squares inside the body. A QR code can store up to 4,296 characters—enough for a URL or web address, an email address and more.

The “quick response” in QR code means people get quick access to URLs or other information embedded in the code when it is scanned. Today, any consumer with a smartphone can scan QR codes to get access to a website address or other information.

Denso Wave Incorporated, a Toyota supplier, invented the Quick Response code in 1994 for the automotive industry in Japan. In fact, the phrase “QR Code” is a registered trademark of Denso Wave Incorporated. But today the phrase has taken on a broader meaning to generally describe this unique-looking barcode type.

How Do QR Codes Work?

The way 2-D codes work is that some party first generates a code, and then a user scans a code with a QR code reader, which today is usually mobile apps on iPhone or Android smartphones.

QR codes may seem geeky, but it is not necessary to understand the complex technology behind them. Just know that there are two pieces to using these codes. One—someone makes generated QR codes, and two—the user has to scan the codes to read them. Let’s break these two parts down further.

Generate QR Code

A business that wants to share information with customers or prospects has to first generate a QR code. For example, a restaurant might want to place a QR code on a direct mail postcard, linking to an online carryout menu.

To create a 2-D barcode, you will need a Quick Response code generator. It is a software app that helps you create your own unique QR code image.

You can find many generators on the web to create a 2-D barcode. Pick a free QR code generator from our list below, or if you need advanced capabilities, pick a paid QR code generator. Enter the information you want to convey into the fields. Tap create.

Voila! Making a new QR code is just that simple. The output is a QR code image file that you can download. You then insert the image onto marketing campaign materials, a tradeshow banner, a sign, an email, an ad or somewhere else.

How to Scan QR Codes

The second part of how a two-dimensional code works is that the party you intend to receive the information has to scan the QR code to “read” it. In our example, the intended user might be a potential customer who receives a postcard with a QR code on it.

The intended recipient uses a QR code reader or QR code scanner app. Today, a camera app in a mobile phone can do QR code scans. Additionally, there are newer iPhone and Android smartphones that come with this functionality built-in. Or users can download a QR code scanning app from the relevant app store to their phones or to other devices like tablets and laptops.

The user points a phone at the 2-D code using the camera app. The app recognizes and “reads” the code, giving access to the information.

How to Create a QR Code

The steps to make a QR barcode are so easy, you will be wondering why you didn’t do it sooner. Ready to generate one of these handy codes? Let’s get started.

1. Decide How You Plan to Use a QR Code

In step 1 of creating a QR barcode, select how you plan to use it. Start with the end in mind. What are your goals and needs? What information do you want to share?

A lot of QR barcode use cases relate to marketing. You may need to give users more information than you can fit into a small space such as an ad, so you place a scannable code that takes up very little space. A scan might lead the user to landing pages or prompt users to take some other action. Here are some examples of QR code uses:

• Use a static 2-D barcode to create a WiFi QR code to allow guests to join your WiFi network without manually entering a password such as QR Codes for WiFi.
• Add a vcard QR code to business cards. Your name, phone number, email address and other contact details in the code content can be downloaded instantly to the recipient’s phone.
• Create a QR code to send people to a website address where they can like your Facebook page, LinkedIn or other social media accounts. People may not physically type in a website URL, but will quickly scan your codes.
• How about storing your bitcoin or crypto address in a QR code?
• Create a QR code that leads users to Google Maps directions to your showroom or office, and place the code in flyers or print ads.
• Get QR codes created to send an SMS message to customers containing a coupon code or plain text instructions.

2. Find a QR Code Generator

The second step to generating 2-D barcodes is to find a 2-D barcode generator.

Two-dimensional code generator apps are easy to use. You enter the necessary data into the appropriate field, press a button and you get one of the odd-looking QR codes instantly in the form of an image. You then paste or insert the image in postcards, a business card, a sign or promotional materials.

Free two-dimensional barcode generators are a good place to start if your needs are simple and you just want to create one QR code. If you plan multiple campaigns using codes or have specific design or feature needs, a paid platform offers more flexibility. Keep your needs in mind as you review our list of the best 2-D code generators below.

3. Decide Static QR Code or Dynamic

Before you create 2-D codes, it’s important about their two main types: static and dynamic.

Static QR Code

A static 2-D code is fixed, meaning the data that is stored in it cannot be changed once the code has been generated. A good usage for this QR code type is to create a VCard with your contact details for a digital business card. Static information works fine in this type of QR code because the contact information you share rarely changes.

Dynamic QR Code

A dynamic QR code is one that is changeable. This is accomplished through a redirected URL. The content is not stored in the QR code, but instead in the website URL. Here are a few attributes of dynamic QR codes:

• If you need to change anything, you can change the redirected URL or change the content on the destination web address.
• In addition, you can capture and measure scan statistics with a dynamic QR code.
• You can even do automatic downloads. For example, create PDF file documents that immediately download as soon as the user scans. Make sure the file size of any PDF is not too large, because it will be stored in the user’s phone.
• Remember, the user must be connected to the internet to use dynamic QR codes because the user will be directed to a web URL such as a landing page with a call to action.

Dynamic 2-D codes are the most popular option for marketing purposes. Most marketers will be using dynamic codes.

4. Enter Information and Customize the QR Code

The next step is to enter data and customize your 2-D barcode. You must, however, choose a QR code generator that supports the design options you want. Not all services will have the settings to let you create QR code designs so don’t choose the first name you come across.

For example, you can get really creative, going beyond the traditional black and white QR code. Add a logo to build brand awareness. Imagine your recognizable company logo or favicon appearing in the center of a code. Customize your brand colors by choosing another color other than black and white. Even add a map, animation or music.

Test your 2-D barcode to make sure it is working and sends users to the right destination. Before you scan QR Codes, it’s best to scan the QR code preview with a QR code scanner to test it.

Testing is especially important for static code because you cannot edit it. Once you’ve printed business cards with a static code, for example, you would have to reprint them to correct typos.

5. Download Your QR Code

Step 5 is to download the two-dimensional code you’ve created to your computer. The best generator platforms allow you to save QR images in different file formats. And the format you choose should take into consideration where you are going to use the QR barcode. Print, for example, requires higher quality formats.

ONLINE: If you are going to use QR codes on web pages, then a tif, gif, jpeg, jpg, bmp or png format will work. One advantage of a png format is that it preserves all the color information as well as opacity and transparency with high resolution.

PRINT: If you plan to put the code in a print campaign, you need print quality that will be crisp and clear when printed. This can be a svg, eps, or pdf vector graphic. They can be proportionally resized without losing quality. And this is important to keep the integrity of your 2-D code. A high-resolution png file also works for print.

Whether digital or print, the QR code must be clear and not blurry. This is because QR barcode readers can perform differently depending on the operating system and camera of the mobile device. Android and iOS operating systems, as well as BlackBerry, all have different reading capabilities.

After downloading, you’re ready to share your QR code on promotional materials, on your website, or in other locations. Make your QR code highly visible. That’s the ultimate goal.

 QR Code Benefits

Two-dimensional barcodes are gaining popularity and one of their biggest selling points for businesses is their convenience and ease of use. To scan a 2-D code, customers just point and focus their mobile phone cameras on the code.

Here are seven ways 2-D barcodes can benefit a small business:

• Inexpensive –Reduce the cost of print brochures, instructions for products, and marketing materials.
• Green – Cut down on printed materials meaning less waste for the environment.
• High Conversion – Increase conversions with 2-D barcodes. Make it easy on people, without typing things in, and they will be more likely to take action.
• Engaging – Use QR codes to get customers to interact with your company, e.g., enter a contest or complete a survey to leave feedback.
• Customer Satisfaction Oriented- Include installation or product care instructions on QR codes placed on packaging or tags to increase customer satisfaction. Packaging remains uncluttered, and users will have product information in their mobile devices where they can find it later, versus print instructions that may get lost.
• Trackable – Use dynamic QR codes to track how many times your code is getting scanned and measure other performance metrics. You will need a QR code creation app that supports QR code management in this fashion giving you analytics or the ability to download statistics.
• Contactless – Offer contactless payment and pickup of orders for visitors using QR codes using a tool like Adobe Spark menu creator.

Best QR Code Generators List

Here is a list of the best 2-D code generators to create codes—both free and premium. You can visit the QR code generator site using traditional links. We’ve also included the QR codes to scan to visit each site because we wanted to highlight just how easy it is to create a QR code.

Visualead

For those who want to scan 2-D barcodes quickly, Visualead offers branded and highly visual codes which it says get 50% to 400% more scans. These QR codes include 20 data types to connect your customers from your vCard to YouTube and other destinations. Visualead is used by some of the top global brands but has a price point even small businesses can afford, starting at free for just the basics. Visit Visualead or use the following QR barcode.