How To Generate QR Codes; The Beginner's Guide 2024
Wondering how QR codes are made? Here is the complete beginner’s guide on QR code generators online in 2024.
In this beginner’s guide, we will look at how to generate beautiful and functional codes, including using the best QR code generator online.
Imagine offering a great deal to your prospective customers at your local shop, but they have to visit a website on their smartphones to redeem the offer.
For some, this process is not only awkward, but it is also a bit fiddly to keep typing web addresses into a browser.
Some will even tell themselves that they will try it when they have time and end up forgetting about it altogether. That is where QR codes come into play.
It eliminates all the hassles, as anyone can scan QR codes on their smartphones and be automatically directed to a specific link, such as your email address or website.
The good thing is that you can create these codes using a reliable QR code generator online.
But before we look at how to generate QR codes, let us define what they are and how you can use them in today’s digital-centric marketplace.
So, What Is a QR Code?
The simplest definition of a QR code is that it is a 2-dimensional barcode that you can read using your smartphone. This code can store a variety of information, including images, URLs, emails, and vcards.
It means that you don’t have to visit a browser every time you want to visit a website or email address. The beauty of it is that you can access this data by scanning the square grid.
QR codes weren’t as famous and useful as they are today because most mobile devices didn’t have the application or feature that has a native QR scanning function.
This situation has evolved over time, such that more people and businesses are using QR codes to improve their interactions with their customers.
The young generation, too, loves using their phones to scan for offers in the form of QR codes. Historically, QR codes came into play in 1994.
They were used by Denso to track vehicles on the production line. Sadly, these codes were only readable by machines.
As more people adopted smartphones with native QR scanning capabilities, this has resulted in the increased usage of QR codes.
In fact, they have become a more efficient way to access information stored in links. You can access or decode the stored information using a smartphone with a built-in or standalone QR code reader.
How to Use QR Codes
As demonstrated above, it is easy to use a QR code. Just open the QR code scanner on your smartphone and scan the code to access the stored information. The code can direct you to a photo or page.
In terms of usage, most people create URL-based QR codes. According to a research study, these are the most popular QR code solutions:
File - 31.4%
URL - 46.3%
Social Media - 3.7%
MP3 - 2.5%
vCard - 7.1%
Menu - 2.2%
HTML - 2.8%
YouTube 1.1%
App Store - 1.0%
How to Generate a QR Code in 4 Simple Steps
Here is how you can create QR codes using a QR code generator online:
Step 1: Search for a free QR code generator online.
There are several reliable QR code generators online. In fact, Google Chrome has a built-in feature called Create QR Code. This free functionality is integrated into Chrome’s Share system on both iOS and Android.
It is also available in most Chrome desktop versions. But you should keep in mind that different Chrome versions display QR codes differently.
Another option is to use a reliable standalone QR code generator online. Just search ‘QR code generator’ on Google, and you will have several options to choose from.
Step 2: Enter the URL
As mentioned earlier, most people use QR codes to store URL information. In other words, you can use QR codes to redirect people to your website.
In this case, they don’t have to key in website information in their browsers. A robust QR code generator online will usually have a text field where you will place your URL information.
Some will offer various placeholders for different types of data, such as images, MP3s, vcards, and PDFs. So, after you have chosen your content type, you will need to feed the relevant fields with link information.
After entering a URL or uploading an image file, the system will automatically digest the information given and generate a QR code.
In some cases, you may need to do some further customization to ensure your codes are aesthetically appealing. We recommend that you customize your QR codes to fit your unique needs.
Step 3: Customize your QR codes with your designs.
An ideal QR code generator online should allow you to customize your QR codes by choosing the shape, frame, color, and adding a logo. But note that this only serves aesthetic purposes.
Also, you may not want to add more or heavy images to your QR code, as this may affect the speed and functionality of your QR code. With that said, here are the steps to beautify your QR code:
Find a relevant QR code generator online that allows you to improve the appearance of your QR code.
Next, choose the right type of QR code you wish to generate. Among the most popular options are URL, email, file, and text. After that, enter the data you want to encode into your QR code.
Once you have chosen the type and fed it with the right information, you can now customize the design of your QR code. In most cases, you will choose the frame, color, shape, and logo. The good thing is that some QR code generators come with pre-designed templates. If that is not the case, you can fully customize the appearance of your QR codes from scratch.
Finally, you can preview your beautified QR code to make sure it looks exactly as you intended, if not better. If you love what you see, you can then download the generated code in the format you prefer. We will discuss this in step 4 below.
Bear in mind that the customization options will greatly depend on your chosen QR code generator. Some generators are more into design, while others focus more on functionality.
It is up to you to choose the one that suits your preferences.
Step 4: Download and save the generated QR code.
After generating your best QR code, the next obvious step is to download and use it. The best thing about QR code generators is that they allow you to download the generated code without the need to sign up for it.
In fact, you shouldn’t bother signing up for a generator unless you intend to use it for a long time. Some tools will try to fool you into signing up when the download process has already started.
The thing is, you can only sign up for a QR code generator online if you want to.
The Best QR Code Generators
As you may already know, there are several QR code generators online. Most of them are available for free. Here are the best ones:
QR Code Monkey is among the best free QR code generators. This tool allows you to create customized QR codes in a few simple steps. If you want to access more advanced features, you can opt for the paid plan.
If you prefer a straightforward way to generate QR codes without confusing options, then you will like FreeWebTools QR Code Generator. This QR code generator online is free and simple to use.
This is another easy-to-use QR code generator that is friendly to first-time users. It allows you to create and customize your QR codes to fit your style. However, the advanced features are not available to free users.
Beaconstac lets you create beautiful QR codes for free. This website has a lot of tutorials for novice users. So, if you are afraid that you don’t know how to use a QR code generator online, this tool will be useful.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can you generate QR codes online for free?
Yes, you can create beautiful QR codes online without paying a dime. In fact, most QR code generators will neither charge you nor require you to create an account to use them.
Some popular free QR code generators include QR Code Monkey, FreeWebTools QR Code Generator, and QR Code Generator.
Can I generate my own custom QR codes?
The answer is yes. As explained earlier, you can use your QR code generator online to customize your QR codes with your designs.
The good thing is that many QR code generators allow you to add your unique design, shape, text, and logo to the code.
How do I use QR codes the right way? If you have already created visually appealing functional QR codes, you don’t want to use them in a way that will generate less-than-expected results. To make the best use of them, follow these tips:
- Ensure your codes are clearly visible. - Offer some form of reward for scanning your QR codes. - Ensure that your call to action is clear and strong. - Your QR codes should be relevant to the targeted audience. - Test your QR codes to ensure that they work smoothly before displaying them for users. - Consider customizing your QR codes with your unique brand. - If possible, use shorter URLs.
Summing It Up
To summarize, QR codes are valuable tools that you can integrate into your modern marketing and communication campaigns.
So, by learning how to create them using the right tools, you can take advantage of their many benefits, thus standing out in the marketplace.
The best thing is that generating QR codes is a quick and straightforward process. But it comes with immense benefits for individuals and businesses who wish to improve their interaction with their users.
Using a reliable QR code generator online can easily generate branded QR codes that you can use for various purposes, including directing potential customers to your website, promoting a service or product, offering one-time deals, sharing price and product information, and sharing contacts.
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