QR Codes are now the new normal in this tech-driven world. You can find QR Codes popping up almost everywhere.
Did you know that as of 2023, 44.6% of all internet users around the globe had scanned a QR Code at least once? Source: Persuasion Nation
And who doesn’t love free stuff? Nobody sure wouldn’t pass up on a good freebie deal.
If you are a business owner or marketer, you’re most likely looking to cut costs while boosting your business and marketing efforts, right? And it’s such a hassle.
QR Codes are the right tool to help you achieve marketing results. And the best part? You can get them for absolutely free!
Let’s learn how to create free QR Code and explore how you can use it for your business.
Let’s begin!
A. What is a QR Code
A QR (Quick Response) Code is a two-dimensional barcode that stores information such as URLs, text, contact details, or other data.
It usually has̉ black data squares arranged on a white grid. This pattern can be scanned using a QR Code reader, smartphone, or dedicated scanner.
B. Why are QR Codes important in today’s world
Now, let’s understand first why QR Codes are the most popular thing today:
Information that a user wants to seek gets delivered to them almost instantaneously just by scanning the code with the smartphone. Hence, there’s no great hassle or headache of typing URLs or searching for information.
Also, QR Codes are used in marketing, ticketing, contact, Wi-Fi sharing, and so on; their possibilities are boundless.
The added benefit is that you can check how many times your QR Code got scanned and, therefore, see success rates for your campaigns.
Generating a QR Code is either very cheap or entirely free, which means almost everyone can have one.
Now, let’s check out Scanova’s free QR Code generator since we will be using it as an example to show you how to create QR Code for free.
C. What is Scanova?
Scanova is a strong online tool that helps users create and customize QR codes.
It comes with many features like design customization, analytics, and dynamic QR Codes (that continue to function in real-time even when the QR Code is changed).
What was striking about Scanova was the user-friendliness. You will definitely find it easy to use, even if you have never dealt with QR Codes before.
While advanced features are available with premium features from Scanova, the simple QR Code you can create for free.
D. How to create free QR Code with Scanova
If you’re wondering “How do you create a QR Code for free?” just follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Visit the Scanova website
Go to the website of Scanova and start creating your QR Code.
If you don’t have an account, then consider creating one; take the free trial by signing up for some of the premium features given by Scanova.
However, in case you are making just a simple, no-frills QR Code, you can skip the need to sign up.
Step 2: Choose the type of QR Code you want to create
Once you’re on Scanova’s homepage, you can start creating your free QR Codes by clicking on the “Create Your Free QR Code” button.
Once you click on it, you’ll see various QR Code categories that you can create. These include:
- URL QR Code: Directs users to a specific webpage.
- Text QR Code: Displays a block of text when scanned.
- Email QR Code: Opens an email draft with a pre-filled recipient address.
- Phone QR Code: Initiates a phone call to a specified number.
- SMS QR Code: Opens the SMS app with a pre-written message.
- Wi-Fi QR Code: Connects the user to a Wi-Fi network.
- vCard QR Code: Shares contact information.
For this guide, we’ll focus on creating a Website URL QR Code, but the steps are similar for all other types as well.
Step 3: Fill in the details
With the selected type of QR Code, you will need to put in details according to what is expected of you.
For instance, if you’re going for a URL QR Code, you’ll paste the website link in the provided field. If you’re making a vCard QR Code, you’ll enter your contact information.
Here’s a small tip for creating a Website URL QR Code—just make sure the link is working all right. A broken link will render the QR Code useless, and all that valuable traffic will pass you by.
Step 4: Customize your QR Code
One of the biggest pros of using Scanova is that you can control your QR Code’s design from the ground up.
You can customize the look and feel of your QR Code, even the free version at least to some degree, to be more in line with your brand identity or personal preference.
Other key customization options available for a perfect QR Code include:
- Color—This can be changed from the default black-and-white to any one that fits best with the color scheme of your brand.
- Logo Image: A logo or an image can be set in the middle of the QR Code. This may give a QR Code quite a point of recognition which would be considered professional.
- Design: This option for design type can help you change the QR Code’s pattern and corner shape. This is how one can come up with an attractive and very unique QR Code.
Another reason for using customization is to make your QR Code look unique, especially when it is part of your marketing campaign.
Pro Tip: A beautiful and aesthetically designed QR Code attracts more user views and scans instead of a simple black and white square.
Step 5: Generate your QR Code
Once you’ve designed your QR Code with all the information you desire and the design you prefer, just click on the button “Create QR Code.” Scanova will create the QR in a few seconds.
You can preview your QR Code here and move forward with the final settings. And, if everything looks okay, download your QR Code.
Step 6: Download your QR Code
You can download your QR Code in either PNG, JPG, or SVG format. PNG is the most widely-formatted one and in most cases, it is just enough.
But SVG can be a better choice in case—you need a higher resolution, you want to scale your QR Code for large prints.
You may use it on your website, on social media, on printed materials, or wherever else you like.
Step 7: Test your QR Code
Before you distribute your QR Code, it is very important to test and see how it works.
You need to open your smartphone’s camera or scanning app and scan the code. After the scan, you will get directed to the information or the link you embedded when creating the QR Code.
Test your QR Code in order to save yourself from problems resulting from broken links or incorrect information.
Sometimes, this step seems very small but is, in reality, very important, as it would ensure whether the QR Code is working or not.
Summary: How do I create a QR Code for free?
There are many free options out there that you can use to create QR Codes for a link. Follow these steps:
- Go to Scanova’s Free QR Code Generator
- Select a suitable QR Code category (say website QR Code)
- Enter the data (or link)
- Click on Create.
And you’ll be good to go. Pretty simple, right?
E. Exploring Scanova’s advanced features
While creating a QR Code is simple, Scanova has a couple of more advanced features that can be useful in catering to more complex needs.
Usually available with the premium version, here are some options for considering using if you would use QR Codes regularly.
1. Dynamic QR Codes
Dynamic QR Codes, unlike static ones that contain fixed information, can be edited even after being printed or distributed.
This is especially useful when you want to update the information linked to the QR Code without creating and redistributing a new one.
For example, if you have a QR Code for a special offer, you will be able to update the URL with a new offer once the current one has expired.
2. QR Code analytics
It records how often the QR Code was scanned, where, and on what.
This information is invaluable in measuring the success of QR Code campaigns and making informed decisions about future marketing efforts.
3. Bulk QR Code creation
If one needs to generate several QR Codes at once, the bulk creation feature by Scanova can really save a lot of time. You can use Scanova’s QR Batch to generate bulk QR.
Most significantly, this will be very beneficial for businesses that deal with huge events, product packaging, or running several marketing campaigns.
4. API Integration
For developers or businesses that need to integrate QR Code generation within their own platforms or applications, Scanova offers API access via the QR API tool.
With this, you can easily automate QR Code creation and customize it to suit your needs.
5. Data Privacy
Data privacy is, in fact, one of the prime concerns of any business and customers at large, more so in this present digital age.
Scanova takes data privacy very seriously, meaning any user information collected via a QR Code must be kept and handled securely.
This platform has data protection regulations like GDPR, SOC 2, and ISO 27001:2013, putting your mind at rest over how your customer’s data is handled.
Scanova’s multidimensional features will ensure your QR Code campaigns are prosperous, secure, and reliable.
F. Use cases of QR Code Usage
To understand how QR Codes can be put into practice in myriad contexts, let’s take a look at just a few real-life examples.
1. Marketing campaigns
Businesses make use of QR Codes in marketing campaigns to drive traffic to their websites or social media pages.
For instance, a clothing brand could include a QR Code on the print ads that go to a special discount page of their website.
2. Contactless payments
The QR Codes have covered a lot of ground in the case of contactless payments.
A customer may scan a QR Code at the checkout counter and briskly execute the transaction without having to touch a payment terminal.
Do you know that over 9 million merchants across different parts of India now accept QR Code payments?
3. Event management
Event organizers make use of QR Codes in ticketing and registration.
They only need to scan their QR Codes at the entrance to let them in–simple and fast.
This way, they can even track the attendance of guests and optimize their future events’ efficiency.
4. Educational materials
QR Codes give students instant access to online resources, from video tutorials or additional reading material to interactive quizzes inside the classroom.
The teacher can print a QR Code inside textbooks or any other material the students use inside the class, making accessing supplemental content easy.
5. Virtual business cards
Instead of always carrying business cards, a professional can reveal his contact information through a QR Code.
A user scanning a QR Code of this type can save the contact details instantly to his phone.
G. Best practices for QR Code usage
If used properly, QR Codes can be very effective. Here are some best practices in using QR Codes effectively and safely:
1. Add value
Ensure that whatever is inside the QR Code holds a real value for the user.
Mostly, these codes are linked to websites, access to discounts or promotions, product information, etc.
Avoid rude, inconsequential, or just plain silly applications.
2. Test scanability
Always scan-test QR Codes with various scanning apps and different devices.
Make them the proper size with adequate contrast from their background.
3. Error correction
Pick an appropriate level of error correction for your QR Codes.
The higher the level, the stronger the error correction—though higher levels do generate larger QR Codes.
Consider what level of error correction your QR Code will need for its intended use.
4. Design and branding
Though QR Codes are functional, you can give them a little style.
Add your brand colors or logo to it, but ensure the actual content of the QR Code is still apparent enough to be readable.
5. Keep it proportional
When stretched or distorted, the QR Codes become unreadable. Retain the square ratio while resizing.
6. Add context
When applying a QR Code, describe what the user will get when scanning it.
It gives a sense of trust and invites visitors to perform the activity more.
7. Make it mobile-friendly
Keep in mind that very often, QR Codes are scanned using smartphones.
Make sure the content you are linking to is mobile-friendly, responsive, and easily readable on small displays.
8. Be careful about malware
Avoid scanning QR Codes from unknown or unverified sources, especially those that introduce downloads or ask for personal information.
9. Keep the content fresh
If the content you are linking may change after some time, like in promotion or event details, make sure to update the QR Code.
Broken links or outdated links will frustrate users.
10. Track and analyze
If you are using QR Codes for marketing or business purposes, tracking and analytics should be put in place to monitor their performance.
In this way, one can gain insight into user engagement and thus refine his/her strategies.
11. Legal compliance
Ensure that your application of QR Codes is by the existing laws and regulations related to them—for instance, data privacy laws and intellectual property rights.
12. Regular maintenance
If you are in charge of managing QR Codes, make sure to check and renew them from time to time to keep them current and valid.
13. Inform users
If you feel users need to be taught how to use the QR Code, inform them.
Add a little text that says how to use the QR Code, or provide links to a QR Code scanner application if needed.
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H. FAQs on how to create free QR Codes
1. How to create free QR Code?
Today, most QR Code generators online, such as Scanova, will let any person generate a free QR Code.
With an easy-to-use interface and a different, diverse range of QR Code types, Scanova has got you covered.
2. What is a QR Code?
A QR Code is a two-dimensional picture, somewhat like a barcode, readable by smartphones and every other device equipped with a camera.
It can link one to a website, display some text, share contact details, or even do any other action when it is scanned.
3. Do I need to pay to create a QR Code? How do you create a QR Code for free?
No, you don’t need to pay to generate a QR Code. Many free online tools, such as Scanova, allow you to create a QR Code absolutely free.
4. What kind of QR Codes can I create?
You can generate QR Codes for URLs, plain text, contacts, calendar events, and others. The type of QR Code you are going to use depends on your needs.
5. How do I personalize my QR Code?
Many QR Code generators, like Scanova, allow you to customize in terms of color, adding a logo, or adjusting the size so that your QR Code blends well with your brand.
6. How can I use my QR Code?
You can use your QR Code in various ways, such as:
- Printing it on marketing materials
- Embedding it on your website
- Sharing it on social media
- Using it in email campaigns
7. Can I track QR Code scans?
Yes, there are tools, like Scanova, that offer tracking and analytics to enable a user to track QR Code scans and gain information about their audience.
8. Are QR Codes safe to use?
QR Codes are absolutely safe to use. However, always be careful about scanning any source from an unknown QR Code.
Avoid QR Codes that direct them to suspicious websites or that require entering personal information.
9. Is it possible to use QR Codes Offline?
Yes, QR Codes can be created and used offline. They should only be printed or displayed wherever one needs them to lead to information that stays the same..
10. What Is the best QR Code generator?
Of these, Scanova appears to be the most popular due to its ease of use, many customization options, and several tracking features.
11. Can I create funky QR Codes?
Some QR Code generators can come up with animated QR Codes. These might look interesting and fetch more eyeballs at the same time. You can try AI-generated templates from Scanova for this.