How to Create QR Codes for Your Business

How to make a QR Code in 4 easy steps: A complete step-by-step guide

Before you start, choose between a static (free) QR Code or a dynamic QR Code based on your requirement. We recommend using an editable, dynamic QR Code.

Read our comparative guide between static and dynamic QR Codes for an informed decision.

In this article, we will take you through a step-by-step guide on how to make a dynamic QR Code.

Let's begin.

Step 1: Log in to Uniqode's (formerly Beaconstac) dashboard

Click on ‘+Create’ on the right-hand side of the dashboard and select the QR Code campaign type.

NOTE: You can sign-up for a zero-cost and no-commitment 14-day trial to create QR Codes.

Step 2: Select the QR Code campaign type and fill in the details

Do you want to drive traffic to your website, promote a discount landing page or get users to download your app by simply scanning a QR Code?

Choose a QR Code campaign type from the dashboard based on your requirements.

Some of the most popular types of QR Codes are:

#1 Website QR Code: Uniqode's (formerly Beaconstac) QR Code generator for website lets you convert any URL into a QR Code within seconds. Link to your company website or any other existing web URL.

#2 PDF QR Code: Upload your PDF file to our QR Code maker, generate QR Code, and let people scan and access PDF files like manuals or ebooks with ease.

#3 App download QR Code: Have a new app and want to boost download? Link QR Code to your app on the android and iOS app stores.

#4 Forms QR Code: Create a custom form on our dashboard and link it to a QR Code. Choose from over 20+ ready-to-use form templates.

Step 3: Setup and design custom QR Code

Our QR Code maker is built to let you customize various aspects of the QR Code to match your brand aesthetic.

There are five key levers of QR Code design that you can leverage to improve branding:

1. QR Code shape: Choose between a standard square QR Code or a circle QR Code.
2. QR Code color: Match the QR Code to your brand colors.
3. QR Code logo: Add your brand logo to the QR Code and boost brand awareness.
4. QR Code background: Select from colorful, image, or transparent QR Code background.
5. Frame and CTA: Include an attractive frame and an actionable QR Code CTA.

Step 4: Choose the QR Code file format and download

Generate QR Code, test if it’s working, and download it in a suitable format.

Vector QR Code: If you want to resize the QR Code for billboards or any large printable asset, select a vector QR Code format like SVG or EPS.

PNG and JPG QR Code: If you plan to use QR Codes for smaller campaigns like sharing on social media or displaying as menu QR Codes- then choose a PNG or JPEG format.

You can also download the QR Code in PDF format.

Proven QR Code use cases and examples

Now that you know how to make a QR Code, where and how will you use it?

There’s a QR Code for every use situation (almost!) Here are a few which you can leverage for your business needs.

Restaurant menu QR Code

Switch to contactless ordering with QR Code menus. Upgrade your restaurant’s ordering system, and provide a safe, convenient, and engaging experience for your customers.

Learn how to create a QR Code for restaurant menu.

Google Form QR Code

Promote surveys and collect customer feedback with a QR Code for Google Form. Use it at the store checkout, hotel receptions, school quizzes, and even product packaging.

Want to convert your Google Form into QR Code? Learn how to create a QR Code for a Google Form.

QR Code for non-profits

Spread awareness about your cause and gather donations with QR Codes for non-profits.

Leverage QR Codes at charity events, fundraisers, donation galas, and more. Share information, scale up campaigns, and ultimately raise funds for your NGO.

NOTE: Uniqode (formerly Beaconstac) offers a 10% discount to non-profits and charitable organizations.

QR Code for registration

Make signing up easy and convenient for your audience with QR Codes for registration. Capture potential leads and track event attendance with ease.

Save money on printing costs, and provide a contactless experience to your attendees. Leverage registration QR Codes at events, trade shows, and school competitions.

Google Review QR Code

Looking to gather more reviews for your business? Let customers share their feedback on Google Review with a single QR Code scan.

Improve local SEO, drive more traffic to your website, footfall to the store, and increase profits.

Place Google Review QR Code in your store or any other relevant touchpoint where it is easily visible.

Best practices to follow when you make a QR Code

Now that you’ve seen how easy it is to make a QR Code and deploy it for various use cases, there are some best practices that you must follow in order to reap the maximum benefit from QR Code campaigns.

#1 Define your objectives for the QR Code campaign

Once you create a QR Code, you would want your customers to scan it. But it is more important to consider what goals it will fulfill for both customers and you.

It is imperative to ask yourself what you intend to achieve from this QR Code campaign.

1. Are you looking to provide product information?
2. Or do you want to incentivize mobile purchasing behavior through coupons and loyalty rewards?
3. Are you looking for engagement with your brand and products via social media, email, or phone call?

The more precise you are about your purpose, the easier it will be for you to measure your QR Code campaign performance.

#2 Customize and personalize with quality QR Codes

Almost all smartphones can natively scan QR Codes with lightning speed. This has paved the way for customizable QR Codes, which you can use in your campaign.

Make sure the QR Codes resemble your brand identity and are recognizable. You can add your brand colors, logo, or background image to the QR Code to make it stand out.

#3 Add a powerful CTA

Sometimes all you have to do is ask for it. Placing CTAs on your QR Codes works best if there is some incentive for the consumer upon scanning.

Consider your CTAs on QR Codes as the world's shortest elevator pitches. For instance, you’ll see high scan rates if your QR code says, “Scan this code for an exclusive gift” or “Scan it to get a coupon code.”

A compelling CTA can improve a QR Code campaign’s engagement, help in brand recall, and increase ROI.

#4 Link to a mobile-friendly or mobile-optimized site

Almost all the QR Code scans in your campaign will happen via smartphones. You don’t want your customers to click on the link and land on a site that is not mobile-optimized.

At least the landing page should be mobile-friendly and adjustable after a double-tap.

One important consideration is to build the site around the desired user experience. Use a responsive screen for horizontal and vertical orientation.

#5 Strategically place your QR Code

If your QR Code is tucked away in a corner and hidden from plain sight, you drive away potential scans.

Display your QR Code prominently so that it is visible in the eyes of your audience. Place it strategically along the customer journey for best results. For instance, if you want to gather feedback from guests after their stay at your hotel, use a survey QR Code and present it at the time of check-out.

Frequently Asked Questions