Can a QR Code Just Show Text? A Beginner’s Guide
Jonathan Palley
Jun 9, 2023
Dynamic QR codes have been extremely popular with many businesses today due to their versatile purpose. Whether you are using it for marketing campaigns, advertisements, or even for a simple storing of text-based data, you can use dynamic QR codes. All you need is to prepare the text that you want to store and a QR code generator tool.
Creating plain text QR codes is simple with a free QR code generator. What's great about them is that they don't charge users to generate a QR code. Some even offer additional built-in features to improve user experience.
One perfect tool that offers amazing features and a seamless user experience is QR Codes Unlimited.
Steps to Creating a Dynamic QR Code for Text
As previously mentioned, creating your own QR code is relatively simple. With tools like QR Codes Unlimited, you don't need to have any technical skills to generate a QR code instantly. What's even great about using this tool is that it offers unlimited scanning, editing, and downloads.
Here's how you can use this plain-text QR code generator:
Step 1: Navigate to QRCodesUnlimited.com
Open your preferred browser on either your desktop or mobile device and go to QRCodesUnlimited.com. This popular QR code generator allows you to create dynamic QR codes free of charge.
Step 2: Input Your URL or Desired Text
Dynamic QR codes have various uses. If you want users to access a specific webpage or profile, choose the URL option. Paste the relevant text or link into the provided text box.
Above the text box, you'll find options for various digital content types, such as PDFs, images, vCards, and applications. Note that the fields may differ depending on the chosen content type.
For instance, creating a vCard QR code prompts a form for entering contact details, while an application QR code lets you attach a download link. An important advantage of dynamic QR codes from QR Codes Unlimited is their flexibility; you can adjust their functionality even after printing.
Step 3: Customize the Appearance of Your Dynamic QR Code
Take advantage of QR Codes Unlimited's free customization features. Use this dynamic QR code generator to adjust the logo, colors, style, border, and text to align with your brand and specific use case.
Step 4: Download Your Customized Dynamic QR Code
For non-registered users, click the download button to save the dynamic QR code to your computer. If you're a registered user, select the appropriate file format for compatibility with your device.
Step 5: Integrate the QR Code Into Your Marketing Materials
Effortlessly incorporate your QR Code into your marketing materials, whether in print or digital form. Ensure it's prominently placed for easy visibility by your customers or audience.
Best Practices for Using Dynamic QR Codes with Plain Text
While QR codes are already proven to be functional, there are actually more ways you can enhance them. By following the best practices, you can make the most of its benefits.
Below are some practices you should consider:
- Opt for concise and relevant text to optimize the QR code size.
- Include clear instructions on how to scan and use the QR code.
- Test the QR code for various mobile devices and scanner apps to verify functionality.
- Ensure that the encoded text is readable when scanned by users.
Sample Use Cases for Plain Text QR Codes
Listed below are some popular ways to employ plain text QR codes:
Loyalty Cards and Coupons
Enhance customer loyalty programs by incorporating plain text QR codes on loyalty cards and coupons. These codes streamline the redemption process, allowing customers to effortlessly track transactions and redeem discounts. The simplicity of scanning at the point of sale ensures a seamless and rewarding experience for your clientele.
Authentication and Two-Factor Authentication
Bolster security measures by implementing plain text QR codes for authentication systems, particularly in two-factor authentication processes. Attendees or users can scan the QR code using a mobile app to generate a one-time password or verification code, adding an extra layer of security to their interactions with your services.
Text-Based URLs
Simplify the user experience with plain text QR codes encoding website addresses. Instead of grappling with lengthy URLs, users can effortlessly access linked web pages by scanning the QR code using a QR code reader or their smartphone camera. This streamlined approach enhances user engagement and accessibility.
Wi-Fi Network Configuration
Facilitate seamless Wi-Fi network connectivity by encoding network information such as SSID, password, and encryption type into a plain text QR code. Users can effortlessly connect to the network by scanning the QR code with their smartphones, eliminating the need for manual data entry and ensuring a hassle-free setup.
Contact Information
Streamline the process of instant sharing contact information by encoding it into a plain text QR code. Whether it's a person's name, phone number, email address, or website URL, users can effortlessly scan the code to acquire contact details. This not only saves time but also reduces the likelihood of errors associated with manual data entry.
Product Information and Labels
Enrich the consumer experience by incorporating plain text QR codes on product labels. Users can scan the code to access detailed product information, user manuals, or instructional videos directly from their smartphones. This dynamic engagement fosters informed purchasing decisions and reinforces brand transparency.
Educational Materials and Documentation
Expedite access to educational materials or documentation by embedding plain text QR codes in print or digital resources. You can create QR codes for users to swiftly access supplementary materials, video tutorials, or relevant documents, enhancing the learning experience and providing additional value.
Conclusion
Integrating plain text QR codes into your business operations can significantly enhance efficiency, customer experience, and security. With the easy-to-use QR Codes Unlimited, you can create and customize dynamic QR codes that suit your specific needs.
Whether for marketing, authentication, or providing detailed information, QR codes can become a powerful tool in your business strategy. These are some of the different ways to employ QR codes. To learn more, you can access the online resources at our Academy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can QR codes contain text and URL?
Yes, QR codes can contain both text and URLs. Dynamic QR codes are especially versatile, allowing you to encode plain text, URLs, and other types of data. This makes them suitable for various applications like marketing, authentication, and sharing contact information.
How do QR codes encode text?
Compared to a static QR code, dynamic QR codes encode text by converting the characters into a binary format, which is then represented as a pattern of black and white squares. This pattern is scanned by a QR code reader, which decodes the binary information back into the original text. The encoded text can include letters, numbers, and even special characters.
Are QR codes only for URLs?
No, custom QR codes are not only for URLs. They can encode a wide range of data types, including plain text, contact information, Wi-Fi settings, calendar events, and more. This versatility allows QR codes to be used in various applications beyond just linking to websites.
How do I convert a text file to a QR code?
To convert a text file to a QR code, simply copy the text from the file and paste it into a QR code generator. The generator will create a QR code that encodes the text, which you can then download and use. QR Codes Unlimited offers this functionality for free without requiring sign-up.
How do I read text from a QR code?
To read text from a QR code, use a QR code scanner app on your smartphone or a built-in QR code reader in your camera app. Scan the QR code, and the app will decode the pattern into the original text. The text will then be displayed on your screen for you to read.
