How To Make a QR Code in 5 Simple Steps

These days, more businesses than ever are using QR codes to connect with customers and distribute valuable information.

Still, whether you want to make a QR code for your business or personal reasons, you must know where to start and what tools to use. That’s what this guide is for.

Below, you’ll find a step-by-step breakdown of how to make a QR code and some situations where you may need to use a QR code.

How do you make a personal QR code?

Occasionally, you might want to whip up a QR code for a personal project, sharing information with your friends or for fun social events like parties. In these instances, you can make QR codes using free-to-download tools and a few basic steps.

1. Download a free QR code generator

Since your personal QR code doesn’t need a lot of extra controls, you can easily find and download a free QR code generator. There are QR code generators for iPhone and Android devices.

Either way, your mobile app will quickly make QR codes without attaching any analytics code or data (since you won’t need it). Most downloads take only a few minutes to complete at most.

2. Pick the QR data format

Your next step is to pick the data format. The majority of free QR code generators offer several different format options, including:

The format options describe what kind of data is provided to the user who scans the QR code. Once the QR code is scanned, the device will launch whatever applicable program is needed.

As an example, if you set up your free QR code with a phone number, scanning it will cause a person’s phone to open up the dialer on their mobile device and enter the phone number automatically.

3. Enter your data

At this step, you need to enter the relevant data into the fields of your QR code generator. For instance, if you enter a website or landing page URL, you must spell out the website.

Try to keep any data or text under 300 characters, as older phones have trouble with QR codes that have more than 300 characters long (digits or text).

4. Change the QR code color

Many free QR code generators enable you to change the color of your resulting code image.

Most QR codes are black-and-white, but nothing says they must be this simplistic. You can change your QR code color to green, red, blue or something else entirely.

Depending on the QR code generator you pick, this setting could be under a button like Options, Color or something else. Note that some QR code generators also let you change the size of the code image (i.e., the square that makes up a QR code a scannable object).

5. Start sharing your QR code

You’ve created a QR code for friends and family members. Virtually every free QR code generator lets you download your code in PNG format, meaning you can add it to a document, a personal website and an email signature.

You can share your QR codes wherever you like.

Related: Create QR Codes to Better Engage with Your Customers

How do you make a QR code for business?

In other cases, you may need to make a QR code for your business. QR codes for companies have to be more customized and comprehensive — that often means you need to pay for a QR code generator.

These basic barcodes are great for business cards, social media engagement and quick responses to questions or feedback requests.

1. Find and buy a good QR code generator

Since business QR codes need to work very consistently and, in many cases, track user data for analytics purposes, odds are you’ll need to find and purchase a high-quality QR code generator app. Fortunately, these are usually only a couple of bucks on most app stores.

Find a QR code generator that offers the services you need, like data tracking and code updating and exchanging.

Many QR code companies provide different services at different price points or tiers. Do your research, and be sure to download a QR code generator that has excellent reviews.

Most paid static QR code makers, like templates and real-time data collection, have extra functionality. Just ensure your chosen maker creates codes for your users — your user base might only scan QR codes of a particular type.

2. Design a custom QR code

Once you’ve downloaded the QR code generator for your needs, design your new code using the generator’s built-in tools. Most QR code generators that cost money allow you to customize your QR codes.

Customization options include:

• Unique styles and shapes for your code.
• Logo embedding.
• Color and size changing.

You can use these tools to make your QR code image stand out from the competition. This can be a helpful form of passive advertising on SMS and other use cases.

3. Create codes for your QR needs

Next, you’ll want to create the embedded codes that link to your business materials or web pages.

For instance, you can link QR codes to coupons, take users to store or product pages and take users to restaurant menus. Create the codes and enter the text as needed, described in the step-by-step tutorial above.

Again, try to keep any text or digits under 300…