You can find QR codes in almost any place: restaurants’ menus, packed products, business cards, and even on billboards. But, what a QR code is and how it operates? This guide is aimed at beginners, helping you with everything concerning QR codes.
What is a QR code?
Its very definition explains a QR code, as it stands for Quick Response. With a QR Code Reader or a smartphone, one can easily scan QR codes. These codes are much better than older traditional barcodes. While barcodes used to store information in one direction, QR codes store data both vertically and horizontally, making it much better. People are used to seeing the codes as square shaped scans of black and white matrices. Scanning the code can execute a number of tasks for the user, including redirecting to a website and even connecting to a Wi-Fi.
A Short History of QR Codes
Denso Wave, a subsidiary of Toyota, developed QR codes in 1994 for tracking vehicles and parts in a more efficient manner. With the evolution of smartphones, QR codes became ubiquitous. Their use skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic when contactless technology became a necessity.
How QR Codes Function
Each QR code is made up of a grid of black and white squares. Each square encodes a piece of data in binary code. The data encoded through a QR code can be executed once the QR is scanned and the code is the scanned using a camera or a QR code scanner app.
The majority of smartphones manufactured in the recent years come with QR code scanning capabilities in their camera interfaces, eliminating the need for a separate scanning app.
Categories of QR Codes
There are two categories of QR Codes:
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Static QR Codes
Static codes are less flexible than dynamic ones, as they are not able to altered once generated. They are ideal for simple tasks, such as text display or website linking.
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Dynamic QR Codes
These codes are more advanced than their predecessors because they redirect to a specific URL, meaning you can update the link even after the QR code is printed. This is particularly useful for marketing, tracking, and analytics because they can be modified and monitored.
Common Uses of QR Codes
These codes find utility across a plethora of industries and use cases. Some of the most common examples are:
- Marketing: Linking to websites, promotional offers, or product info.
- Restaurants: Digital menus and contactless ordering.
- Payments: Used by apps like PayPal and Venmo for quick transactions.
- Events: Ticketing and check-in.
- Education: Resource, assignment, and interactive material sharing.
- Healthcare: Patient check-in and lab result retrieval, as well as inter-office data sharing.
How to Create a QR Code
It is easier than ever to make a QR code. Here is a step-by-step guide:
- Visit a free QR code generator like QR Code Generator, QR Code Monkey, or Canva’s QR Code Generator.
- Select the kind of QR code you want it to generate, such as URL, text, or contact info.
- Input the relevant information.
- Modify the optional design fields.
- Download and it is ready to use.
In case you want to modify the data later, you can choose to be dynamic and paid options on some platforms grant you editability.
Strategies for Making Best Use of QR Codes
- Always scan the code to make sure it works for the “test before printing” tip.
- Avoid blurry or distorted QR codes enhances the “use high quality images” tip.
- Add a CTA informs users what to expect, for example, “scan to view menu.”
- Avoid putting QR codes in hard-to-reach or reflective places for the “keep it accessible” tip.
- Monitor scans for user engagement with dynamic QR codes to track performance.
The Evolution of QR Codes
The integration of smart devices, AI, and augmented reality will likely make QR codes a seamless part of advanced technologies, which will modernize and automate everyday interactions.
Common Queries Regarding QR Codes
Q1: Are QR codes safe to scan?
Most QR codes are safe. However, only scanning from trusted sources is essential as malicious QR codes can redirect users to harmful sites.
Q2: Do I need a special app to scan QR codes?
No. Most modern smartphones have built in QR code scanning with the camera app, all one has to do is point and scan.
Q3: Can I create my own QR code for free?
Absolutely. There is a myriad of online platforms where one can create static QR codes free of charge. However, trackable and dynamic QR codes may require a paid plan.
Q4: What is the duration for which QR codes are valid?
Static QR codes have an indefinite lifespan as long as the content linked to them is not removed. Dynamic QR codes, on the other hand, can be edited or expired by their creators.
Q5: Barcode vs QR code: differences
A barcode is a primary form of identification, usually found on retail products, and is one-dimensional. QR codes are two-dimensional, and have the advantage of storing much more information.
