How to Create a QR Code: The Steps Explained

Originally used in the Japanese automotive industry, QR codes have become a popular advertising tool. QR code stands for ‘Quick Response Code’, due to offering near-instant access to information. Some estimates suggest that QR codes offering coupons or discounts will be accessed more than 5.3 billion times in 2022.

When scanned by a smartphone, QR codes can lead to product pages, blogs, YouTube videos, podcasts, and more. And surprisingly, learning how to create a QR code isn’t as difficult as you might imagine.

Read on to discover the three simple steps you need to follow to generate your QR code in a matter of minutes.

The Purpose of the QR Code

You need to decide what function your QR code is going to fulfill. When someone scans the code, what will happen?

A product QR code might open an online shop or information page. Another might lead people to a website, social media profile, or job advert. A QR code can also grant access to Wi-Fi, share a file, or send a voucher or discount code to a customer’s phone.

This information will be crucial for learning how to generate a QR code.

Find a QR Generator

If you want to know how to make a QR code, start by finding a QR code generator. These are readily available online, and you’ll have the option of choosing a free or paid platform. A well-known solution is Beaconstac’s QR Code Generator.

Free generators will guide you through how to create a QR code by taking the necessary information (such as the function of the code and any data) and generating the code for you. Generally, the type of code created is described as a ‘Static’ QR code, as it can’t be changed afterward.

Paying for a code will allow you to customize the QR code color, add icons, and much more. It will also be ad-free, meaning customers won’t be redirected to another site or have to watch a 30-second video before reaching the intended destination.

There are QR codes that you can edit after they’ve been generated. Rather than leading directly to your chosen location, they link to an alternate URL that serves as a hub.

We refer to these codes as ‘Dynamic’ QR codes. They also allow you to view insight reports and statistics showing how many people scanned the code, when, where, etc.

If you’re trying to incorporate the code into a specific program, you may need something more specific, such as a C# barcode.

Once you decide between static and dynamic and input the necessary information, the website will generate your QR code.

Test Your QR Code

Now that you know how to create a QR code, you must test it. This step takes a matter of seconds, but it could save you time and money. The last thing you want is to share a broken code with potential customers or viewers.

Simply scan the code with your QR scanner to test it.

Have You Learned How to Create a QR Code?

Did you find this article useful? Do you now know how to create a QR code in just a few steps? Leave a comment below or reach out to us on social media.

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