Best practices for QR codes on websites
1. Link it up
When it comes to using QR codes on websites, you have supreme flexibility. That’s because each dynamic QR code comes with a short URL, which you can edit. These short URLs are what connect the code to the content and they can be used without the code for digital platforms, like social media posts or in apps.
This means that on your website you can choose to either use the QR code or the short URL associated with it, whichever would work better in the situation. Or, you can even use both.
2. Optimize your website
QR codes on websites are ideal for saving steps in various processes. For example, if you have an app you want visitors to download, the App Store QR code automatically detects a phone’s operating system and opens the appropriate app store. iOS users go to the Apple App Store and Android Users go to the Google Play Store.
Give your website’s contact page a lift with a vCard QR code that automatically puts your contact information right into the person’s phone.
3. Record your success
Our QR codes on websites tell you when they were scanned, where they were scanned and how many new and total scans they’ve received, along with the type of device and operating system used to scan them. That’s a lot of info! Even better, that information is available to download in reports that you can share with your team. Have a look at the numbers, see what’s working and where you need to make adjustments and then brainstorm with your team about how to make those adjustments.
QR codes on Websites: the benefits
How to generate QR codes
on websites
1. Register for a 14-day free trial with QRcodeKit.com and choose the type of QR code you want on your website.
2. Enter the necessary information for that QR code type.
3. Customize your QR code by editing the short URL and creating a template for it. Add your brand’s name, logo and colors.
4. Download your QR code in the file format you need. (We can help you choose the right one.)
5. Integrate your newly-created QR code into your website design.
6. Watch the magic happen.
Bringing your a game with QR codes on Websites
QR codes on websites are already amazing little marketing tools, but there are ways you can make them even more efficient. Follow these guidelines and you’ll get even more scans and enjoy even more brand awareness.
1. Add the ever-popular call to action (CTA)
In a perfect world, when visitors see a code, they scan it. However, in reality, you often need to give visitors a bit of a push in the right direction. You do that with a CTA that tells them what they can expect when they scan the code or tap on your short URL.
The beauty of having a QR code on your website is that your CTA isn’t constrained by space or printing costs. It’s your website, so you can have a giant CTA if you want. Give visitors a reason to scan and they’ll scan.
2. Put a logo into your QR code
Obviously, if you put a QR code on your website, your site is going to have your logo and branding all over it. But, we still recommend adding a logo to your QR code because that way you’ll be able to use it on other websites and in print and it will still be branded as yours.
Also, visitors are just more likely to scan a code with a logo in it. It instills trust with people.
We suggest using an icon logo that doesn’t contain any words, as this will keep your QR code recognizable no matter how small you print it (down to the minimum recommended size).
3. Save your designs
Reuse your QR code designs without having to go through the headache of trying to recreate them. Every time you make a new QR code design, we go ahead and save it as a template for you. (You’re welcome 😉) That way, if you want to reuse a design, you can go ahead and pick the one you want from your templates. This gives recurring and seasonal promotions a consistent look.
4. Use your bespoke URL
Remember those short URLs we were talking about earlier that connect the codes to the content? These URLs are completely editable. Customize your short URL to say whatever you want. They are ideal for social media posts.
For beautiful branding purposes, there is even a step above a branded short URL: white label masking. This is where we hide QRcodeKit.com’s involvement and make it look like your code and your entire URL comes from your website. It turns branding up to 11.
5. Test your codes
Within our automated system, we are constantly analyzing your QR code as you create and customize it. After each step, our system checks it to make sure it is still scannable. But, we also strongly recommend that you perform your own field testing with a variety of devices to make sure your code can be scanned whenever someone wants to scan it.
Our recommendation for size is a minimum of 3 x 3 cm (1 x 1 in). One other great piece of advice is to make sure your code has strong contrast between the foreground and the background. The foreground should be a darker color.
See how to win with QR codes on websites
Mobile Applications
If you have an app you want your customers to download, an App Store QR code will detect the operating system of their phone and take them to the appropriate app store. This is a fabulous way of getting visitors who are looking at your website on a computer to download your app by scanning the code with their phones.
If they happen to be viewing your website on their phones, no worries! Put your handy dandy short URL on your site and when visitors tap on it, it will open a landing page where they can then choose to go to the appropriate app store and download it.
Publishers
Fans love keeping up to date with their favorite authors. Publishers can have featured author pages on their website that have Social Links QR codes for each author that lead to a list of all the social media accounts the author has (even TikTok). When a visitor scans the code or taps on the short URL, they are taken to a landing page with the social media links and they simply choose which accounts to follow.
Gyms
A lot of people who workout love listening to music to get pumped. Gyms can use a Website QR code on their own website to connect members with a featured Spotify playlist to get them motivated. Simply put the playlist URL into the QR code’s URL information. When members scan the code or tap on the short URL, it opens the Spotify playlist page. Switch up the playlist each week to keep things fresh.
Consumer Goods
Have a Coupon QR code on your website with a rotating variety of deals visitors can use. With a simple scan or tap of the short URL, they’ll get access to the coupon. You know everyone loves a deal!
Service Companies
Not everyone needs the service they’re looking for immediately. Sometimes they’re just doing preliminary research into companies. Give website visitors a way to immediately save your contact information into their phones with a vCard QR code. That way, they won’t have to look you up again because you’ll be right there at their fingertips!
Restaurants
Chances are if you’re a restaurant you already have your menu available on your website. Make it even easier to download with a Menu QR code. With one scan or one tap of the short URL, visitors will have your menu downloaded to their phones and ready to order!
