Everything You Need to Know about QR Codes
I think all of us know what QR codes are now that we live in post-COVID world. Most of us had the experience of going to a restaurant and having to scan a barcode to access the menu.
QR code technology was created in the early 1990s, but it gained a lot of popularity during the pandemic for being an effective option for showcasing information in a contactless way. To put it simply a QR code is like a barcode at the supermarket. It’s a machine-scannable image that stores data that your phone can instantly read using its camera. And since the pandemic, QR code usage has skyrocketed. There has been a 94% increase in QR code usage from 2018 to 2020.
QR codes are generally used to drive you to a particular place on the internet—like a menu page on a website if you’re running a restaurant. The uses are endless, and it seems like their adoption into every day life is here to stay, so you should consider incorporating them into your own marketing or business in some way.
Where to Use a QR Code
QR codes can be used almost anywhere. They are a new, fancy way of showcasing a website link in the real world. On a practical level QR codes are fantastic. They’re more useful than writing out links because users are automatically directed to that link without having to type it into their phone. They reduce friction with your audience and make it more likely for them to interact with your brand and the information you want to share with them.
I use QR codes regularly with my clients. Some places that we’ve used them in projects include:
Business Cards
In-Store Flyers
Brochures
Banners
Packaging
Other places they could be used too include:
Restaurant Menus
Rack Cards
T Shirts
Social Media Banners
How to Create QR Codes in Canva
One of my favorite ways to generate QR codes is using Canva. I find that most of my clients already use and pay for Canva, so designing QR codes in there is a no-brainer. I know a lot of designers like to talk trash about Canva, but for me, I find it to be an empowering tool for business owners to support them in their ever-evolving design needs.
Let’s go through the steps of generating QR codes in Canva:
STEP ONE
Open up the editor view for the graphic you want to add a new QR code to.
Step two
On the left hand side you will see a bunch of different icons that correspond to different features in Canva. Ex. (Photos, Elements, Etc.)
step three
Highlight over the left hand icon bar and scroll to the bottom and click “More”
step four
If you do not immediately see the “QR Code” plugin you can type in the search “QR Code”
step five
Now copy and paste the url you want the QR Code to navigate to when scanned and paste it in the plugin.
step six
Click generate code and you are done! Add it to wherever you need it.
step seven
If you want to add it to a website or print, export it as a PNG with a transparent background.
Conclusion
QR codes are definitely having a moment right now. If you're thinking about adding them to your business’s marketing strategy, remember to use them in a meaningful way. Make sure that each code creates value for your audience that interacts with them—and make it as simple as possible for them to interact with the best practice is to create value. Make sure each code leads to a source of value — such as a coupon or promotion — and requires as few clicks as possible.
WANT HELP CREATING MARKETING MATERIALS THAT USE QR CODES IN YOUR BUSINESS? REACH OUT SO WE CAN CONSULT ON YOUR PROJECT TODAY.
Take care and talk soon,
Alex
