I was getting caught up on checking my news feeds Sunday morning when I got an email from a client about creating a QR code for them. This is actually a pretty simple thing to do, but it is also a question I get every so often, and that made me think it would be a good topic for a blog post.

Let’s start with the basics.

What is a QR code?

The simplest way to describe a QR code is that it is a square bar code. But while a bar code represents a number, a QR code is often used to represent a string of text such as a URL.

Why would I want to use one?

QR codes are used in things like print adverts and on product packaging to provide links to more info. The link might lead to your website, or to a landing page. You could for example get a QR code which leads to the signup form for your mailing list, and put it on your business card.

Barcodes are scanned at registers, but how do I scan a QR code?

With your smartphone!

Virtually all camera apps on smartphones come with built-in software which can decode a QR code and convert it back to text (usually the text is a link you can click.) It is as easy as opening the camera app, pointing the phone at a QR code, and letting the camera app find and decode the QT code. It is almost automatic!

NOTE: QR codes are primarily scanned with smartphone cameras, so if you are thinking about using one, you should make sure that the usage makes sense. For example, it doesn’t make much sense to have a QR code on your website home page, but it does make sense to have one on a flyer.

So how do I make a QR code?

I’ve actually had people offer to pay me to create a QR code for them, but I usually turn 

down the money. The truth is whenever I need to make a QR code, I use one of many free online tools.

Whenever I need to make a QR code, I usually just Google the term and pick one of the links in the search results. For example, this site worked well for me.
After you use one of those sites to make a QR code, they will give you an image file.  That image file needs to be added to the design of the advert or flyer (or whatever) where you plan to use the QR code so that the QR code can be printed as part of the document. (If you are not a designer yourself, you may need to get a designer involved.)

Any questions?