How often have you scribbled down a website address or email address onto a scrap of paper? Or maybe you type them into your phone? QR codes make things easier and quicker for you. Simply scan the square code with your phone or tablet and you will be taken straight to the website or email address, without having to write it down. Nifty huh?
Just load up the app, point and click at a QR Code with your phone or other device and you have a website stored, to look at later.
If you have a blog or business, you could add one to your business card, to stickers, to leaflets or to posters. If you had a bakery, for instance, you might want to add one to your cake boxes. There are endlessly creative ways to use qr codes.
Have a look at this video to see some creative ways to use QR Codes before we get to the tutorial.
Making your own QR Code
2. Type the url in the white box at the bottom of the page and hit shorten.
3. Your new url will look a bit like the one above. Copy the url.
4. Paste the newly shortened url into the address bar and add .qr to the end of the url and press enter on your keyboard (my urls are different, but just ignore that, I was just playing about).
5. Your QR code should appear and look a little like this. Now just cut and paste it into whichever photoshop type software you use or even just paint and save it, ready to be used.
6. If you sign into Bitly before you shorten and save your link. You can then track your code. You can find out how often people are using it to go to your blog and where they are when they use it.
We all love stats don't we?
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Things to Remember:
- Always label your codes, so you instantly know which one you are looking at.
- It is also a good idea to type the full website url under the QR Code for those who don't use or don't want to use smartphone apps.
- Never laminate a QR Code. It just won't work as the surface is too reflective.
- Think about whether a QR Code is really the best choice.
- Have fun!
UPDATE
Depending on your browser this doesn't always work now. If it doesn't pop over to QR Monkey who will do all the hard work for you. Bitly is still good to use first if you want to track the interaction with your QR code.
great tutorial... I do have one for Belleau Kitchen but so far have failed to see the need for it... where do I put it?
ReplyDeleteOn stickers, leaflets, business cards, postcards, t-shirts .............
DeleteThank you Jacquie...worked like a charm!
ReplyDeleteGlad to be of help Peter :)
DeleteWhat an excellent post!
ReplyDeleteThanks :)
DeleteGREAT post thanks Jac - but like Dom, I am wondering where I would use it? Any suggestions, as I DO love new gadgets! Karen
ReplyDeleteIt is really just a quick way for people to get straight to your website. There are the suggestions above, but you can be creative. There are a lot of good ideas in the video too :)
DeleteI've recently had some superb business cards printed: they have my details and QR code on the front and the backs have ten different photos. I always carry a handful and let my friends choose which one they would like to take. It gets my photos seen! And the QR code gets clicked a lot.
ReplyDeleteAlso, those are some amazing ideas in the video! I wonder how they "printed" the QR code on the pancake and cookie?! I can imagine that I might get stickers with QR codes because then I could use them when I give food away.
DeleteThat's a great idea Sarah. I am going to order another batch of cards with qr code on them.
DeleteI put one on the new business cards that I made for my book blog - I haven't given them out yet, though!
ReplyDeleteYou were way ahead of me Rachel. I will have to put them on my next set :)
DeleteGosh, so easy Jac. Thank you. I'm a little bit daunted as I'm not too sure where I'd use it BUT if I get hold of any of your Moo business cards, I'll know what to put on them ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt really is easy Cholette. Takes but a minute to do, infact probably just seconds. Give it a try, then save it for when you are ready to use it :)
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