How to Get a Free QR Code with Free Code Generators

– Free QR Code –

Are you wondering if you can get a QR code for free? QR codes are taking over the market as a very easy way to connect for businesses to get their customers to connect with their businesses.

If you want to get a free QR code, then read on to get guided.

What Is a QR Code?

A QR code is a type of barcode that contains much more information than standard barcodes. QR codes look different too.

Rather than simply bars and numbers like a barcode on a can of vegetables, QR codes usually come in a recognizable square shape, containing angled markers and more squares inside the body.

A QR code can store up to 4296 characters — enough for a URL or web address, email address, and more.

QR stands for “quick response”, which means people get quick access to URLs or other information embedded in the code when it is scanned.

Today, any consumer with a smartphone can scan QR codes to get access to a website address or other information.

Denso Wave Incorporated, a Toyota supplier, invented the QR code in 1994 for the automotive industry in Japan. In fact, the phrase “QR Code” is a registered trademark of Denso Wave Incorporated. But today the phrase has taken on a broader meaning to generally describe this unique-looking barcode type.

How Do QR Codes Work?

The way QR codes work is that some party first generates a code, and then a user scans a QR code with a QR code reader, which today is usually a mobile phone.

QR codes may seem geeky, but it is not necessary to understand the complex technology behind them. Just know that there are two pieces to using QR codes: someone has to generate the code, and then the user has to scan the code to read it.

Example, a business that wants to share information with customers or prospects has to first generate a QR code. To create a QR code you will need a QR code generator. A QR code generator is a software app that helps you create your own unique QR code image.

The second part of how a QR code works is that the party you intend to receive the information has to scan the QR code to “read” it.

The intended recipient uses a QR code reader or QR code scanner app, for example, a camera phone. So, the user points a phone at the QR code using the camera app. The app recognizes and “reads” the code, giving access to the information.

QR Code Benefits

QR codes are gaining popularity and one of the biggest selling points for businesses is convenience and ease of use by customers.

To scan a QR code, customers just point and focus their mobile phone cameras on the code. Here are seven ways QR codes benefit a small business:

• Inexpensive –Reduce the cost of print brochures, instructions for products, and marketing materials.
• Green – Cut down on printed materials meaning less waste for the environment.
• High Conversion – Increase conversions with QR Codes. Make it easy on people, without typing things in, and they will be more likely to take action.
• Engaging – Use QR codes to get customers to interact with your company, e.g., enter a contest or complete a survey to leave feedback.
• Customer Satisfaction Oriented- Include installation or product care instructions on QR codes placed on packaging or tags to increase customer satisfaction. Packaging remains uncluttered, and users will have product information on their mobile devices where they can find it later, versus print instructions that may get lost.
• Trackable – Use dynamic QR codes to track how many times your code is getting scanned and measure other performance metrics. You will need a QR code creation app that supports QR code management in this fashion giving you analytics or the ability to download statistics.
• Contactless – Offer contactless payment and pickup of orders for visitors using QR codes. Read more at: Restaurants go contactless.

QR Codes vs. Barcodes

Does the rise of QR codes mean traditional barcodes are a thing of the past? Of course not. Traditional barcodes are still a common way for businesses to identify consumer packaged goods (CPGs) and manage their product inventory. 

However, there are a number of differences between barcodes and QR codes — both in their uses and their characteristics. Here are three important differences:

• QR Codes Are Shaped Differently: Barcodes are typically rectangular in shape, requiring scanning devices to read the barcode’s data horizontally. QR codes are often square-shaped, displaying their data vertically or horizontally. 
• QR Codes Hold More Data: Due to a QR code’s square shape, it can hold much more data than a barcode. In fact, QR codes can hold hundreds of times more encrypted characters than a barcode.
• QR Codes Hold Different Data: QR codes are often used differently than barcodes. Barcodes hold key product information at the point of sale, such as the price and name of the manufacturer. QR codes offer more passive and intangible information, such as location data and URLs to promotions and product landing pages.

How to Create a QR Code

The steps to make a QR code are so easy, that you will be wondering why you didn’t do it sooner. Ready to learn how to create a QR code?

1. Decide How You Plan to Use a QR Code

First, select how you plan to use it. Start with the end in mind. What are your goals and needs? What information do you want to share?

A lot of QR code use cases relate to marketing. You may need to give users more information than you can fit into a small space such as an ad, so you place a scannable QR code that takes up very little space.

A scan might lead the user to landing pages or prompt users to take some other action. Here are some use case examples:

• Use a static code to create a WiFi QR code to allow guests to join your WiFi network without manually entering a password. 
• Add a vcard QR code to business cards. Your name, phone number, email address, and other contact details in the QR code content can be downloaded instantly to the recipient’s phone.
• Create a QR code to send people to a website address where they can like your Facebook page, LinkedIn or other social media profiles. People may not physically type in a website URL, but will quickly scan QR codes.
• How about storing your bitcoin or crypto address in a QR code?
• Create a QR code that leads users to Google Maps directions to your showroom or office, and place the code in flyers or print ads.
• Get QR codes created to send an SMS message to customers containing a coupon code or plain text instructions.

2. Find a QR Code Generator

The second step to create QR codes is to find a QR code generator.

QR code generator apps are easy to use. You enter some information into the appropriate field, press a button and you get one of the odd-looking QR codes instantly in the form of an image. You then paste or insert the image into postcards, a business cards, a sign, or promotional materials.

Free QR code generators are a good place to start if your needs are simple and you just want to create one QR code. If you plan multiple campaigns using codes or have a specific design or feature needs, then a paid platform offers more flexibility.

3. Decide Static or Dynamic QR Code

Before you create a QR code, it’s important to know the two main QR code types: static and dynamic.

Static QR Codes

A static QR code is fixed, meaning the data that is stored in it cannot be changed once the QR code has been generated.

A good usage for this QR code type is to create a VCard with your contact details for a digital business card. Static information works fine in this type of QR code because the contact information you share rarely changes.

Dynamic QR Codes

A dynamic QR code is one that is changeable. This is accomplished through a redirected URL. The content is not stored in the QR code, but instead in the website URL. Here are a few attributes of dynamic QR codes:

• If you need to change anything, you can change the redirected URL or change the content on the destination web address.
• In addition, you can capture and measure scan statistics with a dynamic QR code.
• You can even do automatic downloads. For example, create PDF file documents that are immediately downloaded as soon as the user scans. Make sure the file size of any PDF is not too large, because it will be stored on the user’s phone.
• Remember, the user must be connected to the internet to use dynamic QR codes because the user will be directed to a web URL such as a landing page with a call to action.

Dynamic QR codes are the most popular option for marketing purposes. Most marketers will be using dynamic codes.

4. Enter Information and Customize the QR Code

The next step is to enter data and customize your QR code. You must, however, choose a QR code generator that supports the design options you want.

Not all services will have the settings to let you create QR code designs so it’s wise to check different options. You can add a logo to build brand awareness.

Test your QR code to make sure it is working and sends users to the right destination. Usually, you can scan the preview with a QR code scanner to test it.

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5. Download Your QR Code

Step 5 is to download the QR code you’ve created to your computer. The best generator platforms allow you to save QR images in different file formats.

And the format you choose should take into consideration where you are going to use the QR code. Print, for example, requires higher quality formats.

ONLINE: If you are going to use QR codes on a webpage, then a tif, gif, jpeg, jpg, ,BMP or png format will work. One advantage of a png format is that it preserves all the color information as well as opacity and transparency with high resolution.

PRINT: If you plan to put the code in a print campaign, you need print quality that will be crisp and clear when printed.

This can be a SVG, eps, or pdf vector graphic. They can be proportionally resized without losing quality. And this is important to keep the integrity of your QR code. A high-resolution png file also works for print.

Whether digital or print, the QR code must be clear and not blurry. This is because QR code readers can perform differently depending on the operating system and camera of the mobile device. Android and iOS operating systems, as well as BlackBerry, all have different reading capabilities.

After downloading, you’re ready to share your QR code on promotional materials, on your website, or in other locations. Make your QR code highly visible. That’s the ultimate goal.

Can I get a Free QR Code?

You can create a free QR code with dozens of tools online. Most of the QR code generators on the web offer a free plan with limited features. However, you have to upgrade to a premium product if you want customization and advanced options.

Best QR Code Generators List

Here is a list of the best QR Code generators to create codes — both free and premium. You can visit the QR code generator site using traditional links.

We’ve also included the QR codes to scan to visit each site because we wanted to highlight just how easy it is to create a QR code.

Visualead

Visualead offers branded and highly visual codes which it says get 50% to 400% more scans. These QR codes include 20 data types to connect your customers from your vCard to YouTube and other destinations.

Visualead is used by some of the top global brands but has a price point even small businesses can afford, starting at free for just the basics.

Scanova

Scanova.io is a QR code generation platform that creates basic, non-designed codes for free. Other tools include an API and QR SDK which can generate a high volume of static codes.

It has a DIY design tool so you can edit colors or patterns. You can add a logo but this is only available to premium subscribers.

QR-Code-Generator.com

Established in 2009 by Egoditor, QR-Code-Generator.com is one of the earliest companies to provide the service online.

The company offers non-URL-based codes that are free and will never expire. The Pro level lets you fully customize your dynamic QR code with your branding.

You can track when and where people are scanning your codes and export the data in CSV reports. A neat feature: you can create an image gallery QR code.

GoQR.me

If you want a completely free QR code service, GoQR.me is a good site, but it is limited to static QR codes. The company prides itself in encrypting your QR code during transmission with TLS/SSL and not storing it.

This ensures your privacy and that of your users. If you want a dynamic QR code service, it is available for a fee.

Web QR

This is a no-frills QR code generator and scanner implemented in JavaScript. It provides the codes directly in the browser (Chrome, Firefox, or Opera).

The process to create a QR code is as simple as entering your URL or text and clicking create. To use a QR code from this site: Web QR, you can grab it with your mouse, drag and drop it where you want it.

QR Stuff

QRStuff offers codes with more than 25 data types, and 23 of them are available in the free tier. The company also provides custom QR code printed products you can put on t-shirts, coffee cups, hats, and other objects. This is another way to engage with your potential customers.

Shopify Shopcode App

If you are a Shopify eCommerce seller, the Shopify Shopcode app helps you create QR codes that are tied to your Shopify store.

Shop codes can be placed in your physical store so people can find more product details or variations such as the color. Or they can be placed on eCommerce pages to provide more product information.

QRCode Tiger

The codes from QR Tiger give you 16 different data types. And you can use different patterns to create the image for the QR code. This includes adding your logo, millions of colors, and frames. You also get a choice of templates to give your code a unique look.

Flowcode

Flowcode creates round codes with beautiful customized designs and multiple data types, with your logo and other design details.

And don’t worry, the shape doesn’t affect its ability to get scanned. All its tiers provide unlimited scans, real-time analytics, unexpired codes, and ultra-fast scanning.

QRCode Monkey

QRCode Monkey is one of the best free QR code generator sites. Codes do not expire and you also get the highest resolutions for print with vector SVG, eps, and pdf formats for download. There’s also a premium version called QRCode Studio.

Beaconstac

Beaconstac specializes in proximity marketing using QR codes, geofences, beacons, and NFC. The QR code you create can be integrated with Google Analytics, accommodate GPS location scans, and provide Zapier integration. This also comes with templates, different data formats, colors, and logo options.

Unitag

Unitag.io has an easy-to-use interface for creating a QR code quickly with lifetime code validity. This includes full customization of modules and allows you to add your logo.

You get advanced scans, analytics with multiple QR codes redirects, custom domain name,s and batch and API generation.

 

QR code creation is easy, fast, cheap, and efficient. Small business owners take note. It’s worth experimenting with a code. Get started, experiment, and learn as you go. Pick a free generator. Take a few shots at generating codes until you find an idea that works.

Create some free QR codes and test them on your target audience. You can always transition later to an advanced QR code generator.

We hope this article has been helpful to you. Please share it with anyone you think will appreciate the information and kindly drop your comment below.