QR codes were invented in 1994, ignored for a decade, briefly popular, nearly forgotten — and then made permanently mainstream by the pandemic, when contactless menus and check-in systems suddenly required them everywhere. Today they're a standard part of business communication.
What QR Codes Can Encode
QR codes can contain any of these data types:
| Type | Contents | Best Used For |
|---|---|---|
| URL | Website address | Any physical-to-digital connection |
| WiFi credentials | Network name + password | Guest WiFi in cafés, hotels, offices |
| vCard contact | Name, phone, email, company | Business cards, event badges |
| Plain text | Any text up to ~4,000 characters | Short messages, instructions |
| Address + optional subject/body | Contact forms, support | |
| SMS | Phone number + message | Opt-ins, customer support |
| Location | GPS coordinates | Maps, navigation, venue info |
| App store link | iTunes or Google Play URL | App downloads |
| Calendar event | Event title, time, location | Tickets, event flyers |
Creating QR Codes for Business
Website URL QR Code
The most common use: a QR code on a print advertisement, business card, packaging, or poster that links to your website.
Create at iConvertU QR Generator. Enter the URL, customise colours to match your brand, add a logo if desired, and download in high-resolution PNG or SVG.
Best practice: Use a URL shortener or UTM parameter so you can track scans. E.g. https://yoursite.com?utm_source=print&utm_medium=flyer&utm_campaign=spring2025
WiFi QR Code
Essential for hospitality businesses — cafés, restaurants, hotels, coworking spaces. Guests scan and connect instantly without asking for the password or entering it manually.
Create at iConvertU WiFi QR Generator. Enter your network name, password, and security type.
Display options: framed print on each table, posted at the entrance, on the menu, or on the room's welcome card in accommodation.
Digital Business Card (vCard)
A vCard QR code on your business card lets contacts save your details directly to their phone's contacts app with one tap.
Create at iConvertU vCard QR Generator. Include name, job title, company, phone, email, and website.
Product Packaging
QR codes on packaging link to: - Product information pages - Setup guides and manuals - Video tutorials - Warranty registration - Customer reviews - Reorder links
QR Code Design: Making It Scan-Ready and On-Brand
Colour customisation
A QR code doesn't need to be black and white. You can use brand colours — but maintain high contrast between the code modules (dark) and the background (light). The scanner needs contrast to read the code.
Safe: Dark navy or forest green modules on white background. Risky: Grey on light grey, red on orange — low contrast can cause scan failures.
Test every customised QR code on multiple devices before printing.
Logo in the centre
QR codes include built-in error correction — up to 30% of the code can be obscured and it still scans correctly. This means you can place a logo in the centre covering up to ~30% of the code.
iConvertU's QR Generator supports logo embedding. Keep the logo to under 20% of the code area to be safe.
Size requirements
| Print Material | Minimum QR Code Size |
|---|---|
| Business card | 2 × 2 cm (0.8 × 0.8 in) |
| A4/Letter flyer | 3 × 3 cm (1.2 × 1.2 in) |
| Poster | 5 × 5 cm (2 × 2 in) |
| Billboard | 15 × 15 cm (6 × 6 in) minimum |
Minimum scanning distance is roughly 10× the QR code size. A 3cm code needs to be scanned from within 30cm.
Quiet zone
Always leave a white margin (quiet zone) of at least 4 modules wide around the QR code. Don't let text or design elements crowd the code.
Tracking QR Code Scans
Basic QR codes are static — they don't record scans. To track how many times a code is scanned and from where:
Use a URL with UTM parameters: Link to yoursite.com?utm_source=flyer. Google Analytics records each visit including the source parameter.
Use a URL shortener with analytics: Bitly, Rebrandly, and Short.io provide scan counts and geographic data. The QR code links to the short URL which redirects to your destination.
Use a dynamic QR platform: Services like QR Code Generator, Uniqode, or Flowcode generate dynamic codes where the destination can be changed without reprinting.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
No call to action. A bare QR code tells people nothing. Add text: "Scan for the menu", "Scan to connect to WiFi", "Scan to learn more". People are more likely to scan when they know what to expect.
Linking to a non-mobile-friendly page. QR codes are scanned on phones. If your destination URL isn't mobile-optimised, the experience is poor.
Printing too small. A QR code under 2cm is difficult for many phones to scan reliably, especially in dim lighting.
Not testing before printing. Always test the final printed QR code on multiple devices (iPhone, Android) before printing in bulk.
URL changes. Static QR codes are permanently linked to the URL at creation time. If the URL changes, the code is broken. Use a dynamic QR or a redirect URL you control.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do QR codes expire? Static QR codes (linking to a URL directly) don't expire — they'll work indefinitely. Dynamic QR codes (from a QR platform) may expire if your subscription lapses.
What's the difference between static and dynamic QR codes? Static QR codes have the destination encoded directly — cannot be changed without reprinting. Dynamic QR codes use a redirect — the destination can be updated in the platform's dashboard without reprinting.
Can I use iConvertU QR codes commercially? Yes. QR codes created with iConvertU are yours to use for any purpose — personal or commercial.
Are QR codes free to create? Yes. iConvertU QR Generator is completely free. All QR code types — URL, WiFi, vCard, barcode — are free to generate and download.
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