Do's and Don'ts of Using QR Codes for Businesses
Sally Wright
Feb 7, 2025
QR codes can make it easier for customers to visit a website, view a menu, claim an offer, download a file, save contact information, or access other digital content. But simply placing a QR code on a poster, product, business card, or package does not guarantee that people will scan it.
The experience surrounding the QR code matters just as much as the code itself. Poor placement, weak contrast, an outdated link, or a confusing landing page can turn a useful marketing tool into a frustrating experience.
Whether you are using QR codes for marketing, customer service, product information, or everyday business operations, a few simple best practices can help make them more useful and easier to scan.
Here are the most important QR code do’s and don’ts businesses should know.
TL;DR:
- Place QR codes somewhere visible and convenient to scan.
- Add a clear call-to-action that tells people what they will get.
- Make the destination mobile-friendly.
- Use strong contrast and leave enough clear space around the code.
- Make the QR code large enough for the expected scanning distance.
- Test the final QR code before printing or publishing it.
- Use dynamic QR codes when the destination may need to change.
- Track scans to understand how campaigns perform.
- Don't use a QR code without a clear purpose.
- Don't use blurry, distorted, or low-contrast QR codes.
- Don't send customers to outdated or irrelevant content.
- Don't make users search for the information they were promised.
The Do’s of Using QR Codes for Business
Do Choose the Right QR Code Placement
Where you place a QR code can have a major effect on whether customers notice and scan it.
Put QR codes in locations where people can comfortably see and access them. Depending on your use case, this could include product packaging, business cards, restaurant tables, posters, flyers, brochures, receipts, displays, or store windows.
Think about what the customer is doing when they encounter the code. Someone sitting at a restaurant table has more time to scan than someone quickly walking past a sign.
The code should also be large enough for the expected scanning distance. A code intended to be scanned from several feet away needs to be larger than one printed on a business card.
Do Provide a Clear Call-to-Action
A free QR code by itself does not tell customers why they should scan it.
Add a short CTA that explains what happens after the scan. For example:
- "Scan to view today's menu"
- "Scan for 20% off"
- "Scan to download the guide"
- "Scan to save our contact details"
- "Scan to book an appointment"
The CTA sets an expectation and gives customers a reason to take action. It also makes the QR code more understandable to people who may otherwise ignore it.
Do Make the Destination Mobile-Friendly
Most people scanning a QR code will use a smartphone, so the destination needs to work well on a small screen.
Avoid sending customers to pages that require excessive zooming, horizontal scrolling, or unnecessary navigation. If someone scans a code to view a menu, for example, they should be able to reach the menu quickly rather than having to search through the entire website.
The landing page should also match the purpose of the QR code. A poster advertising an event should ideally take users directly to registration or ticket information instead of the company's homepage.
Do Make Your QR Code Easy to Scan
Good QR code design is about more than making the code look attractive.
Use strong contrast between the QR code and its background. A dark code on a light background is generally the safest approach. Also leave a clear margin around the code, known as the quiet zone. QR code guidance commonly recommends keeping at least four modules of empty space around the code so surrounding text or graphics do not interfere with scanning.
If you customize your QR code with brand colors, logos, or other design elements, test the finished version before using it in your campaign.
Do Test Your QR Code Before Publishing
Always test your QR code before sending it to the printer or adding it to marketing materials.
Scan it using different smartphones and check that:
- The QR code scans correctly.
- It opens the intended destination.
- The destination loads properly.
- The page works on mobile.
- Any buttons, forms, downloads, or other functions work as expected.
It's especially important to test the final printed version. A QR code that works perfectly on a computer screen can behave differently after being resized, printed, placed on packaging, or exposed to different lighting conditions.
Do Give Customers a Reason to Scan
A QR code should provide something useful.
Instead of linking every plain text QR code to your homepage, think about what the customer actually needs at that moment. A product package might link to instructions or a product page. A business card could lead to a digital contact profile. A restaurant table could open the current menu.
The more closely the destination matches the customer's immediate need, the more useful the QR code becomes.
Do Use Dynamic QR Codes When Content May Change
Static QR codes are useful when the encoded information will remain the same. However, they can become inconvenient when a campaign's destination needs to change.
For example, a business may print thousands of QR codes for a seasonal promotion. If the promotion ends, changing the destination of a static code would require creating and distributing a new code.
A dynamic QR code can provide more flexibility. The same printed code can continue to be used while its destination is updated through the QR code platform.
This can be especially useful for menus, promotions, event information, product pages, PDFs, and other content that may change over time.
With QR Codes Unlimited, businesses can create dynamic QR codes and update their destinations without needing to replace printed materials.
Do Track QR Code Performance
QR codes can also provide useful campaign data.
Depending on the QR code platform and setup, businesses may be able to monitor information such as scan volume, approximate locations, device types, and scan times. This can help businesses understand how their QR codes are being used and compare different campaigns or placements.
Instead of simply printing a QR code and forgetting about it, use scan data to identify what is working and where improvements may be needed.
The Don’ts of Using QR Codes for Business
Don't Use a QR Code Without a Clear Purpose
Adding a QR code to every piece of marketing material isn't necessarily a good strategy.
Before creating one, ask: What will customers get when they scan this?
If the answer isn't clear, the QR code may not add anything useful to the customer experience.
A QR code should support a specific action, such as viewing information, making a purchase, registering for an event, downloading content, or contacting the business.
Don't Put QR Codes in Difficult Locations
Avoid placing QR codes where customers have to stretch, bend, move around an object, or stand in an uncomfortable position to scan them.
Also consider glare, reflections, folds, curves, and other physical conditions that can make scanning harder. A QR code printed on a glossy or curved surface may require more careful testing than one printed on a flat sheet of paper.
The customer's perspective should always come first.
Don't Use Blurry or Low-Quality QR Codes
A QR code that looks fine in a design file can become difficult to scan if it is heavily compressed, resized poorly, or printed at low quality.
Use a clear, high-resolution QR code and avoid stretching or distorting it.
Don't sacrifice scanability just to make the code fit into a particular design.
Don't Forget to Update the Destination
An outdated QR code experience can damage trust.
Imagine scanning a code that promises a discount only to find an expired promotion. Or scanning a product code that leads to a page that no longer exists.
Check your QR code destinations regularly, especially when they are connected to temporary campaigns.
Dynamic QR codes can make this easier because the destination can be updated without changing the printed code.
Don't Make Customers Work for the Information
A QR code should make accessing information easier, not harder.
If the CTA says "Scan to download the guide," don't send the customer through several pages before they can find the download. If it says "Scan to view the menu," the menu should be immediately accessible.
Think of the QR code as a shortcut. The experience after the scan should feel like one.
Don't Rely on QR Codes Alone
QR codes work best as part of a broader customer experience.
For example, a printed promotion can include the offer, CTA, QR code, and a short URL or other alternative way to access the information. This gives customers options instead of making the QR code their only path forward.
The goal isn't to replace every other marketing channel with QR codes. It's to use them where they make the transition from physical to digital content easier.
How to Create a Better QR Code Experience
Before publishing a QR code, take a few minutes to review the entire journey.
Can customers easily see the code? Do they know why they should scan it? Is the code large enough and easy to scan? Does it have sufficient contrast and clear space around it? Does the destination work properly on a smartphone?
Finally, scan the finished version yourself.
These small checks can prevent common QR code problems and help create a smoother experience for customers.
QR Codes Unlimited makes it easy to create QR codes for websites, PDFs, images, vCards, apps, and other destinations. With customizable designs, dynamic QR codes, and scan analytics, businesses can create codes that are not only easy to share but also easier to manage and measure.
Conclusion
Using QR codes effectively is about more than generating a square pattern and adding it to a design. The best QR code campaigns consider the entire experience, from the moment customers see the code to what happens after they scan it.
Choose a convenient placement, give people a clear reason to scan, maintain good contrast and spacing, test the finished code, and keep its destination relevant. When the content may change, a dynamic QR code can also provide the flexibility to update the destination without reprinting the code.
Ready to create your own QR code? Generate a free QR code with QR Codes Unlimited and connect customers to your website, promotions, files, contact information, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the best practices for using QR codes for business?
Use a clear CTA, choose a convenient placement, maintain good contrast and sufficient space around the code, make the destination mobile-friendly, and test the QR code before publishing it. For campaigns where the destination may change, consider using a dynamic QR code.
2. Where should I place a QR code?
Place QR codes somewhere visible and easy to reach. Good locations depend on the use case and can include business cards, product packaging, restaurant tables, posters, brochures, receipts, and store displays. Consider the customer's viewing distance and whether they have enough time to scan.
3. What should I put next to a QR code?
Add a short call-to-action explaining what customers will get when they scan. Phrases such as "Scan to view the menu," "Scan for a discount," or "Scan to download" are clearer than displaying a QR code without context.
4. Can I change a QR code after printing it?
It depends on the type of QR code. A static QR code cannot have its encoded destination changed after creation. A dynamic QR code can allow you to update the destination without replacing the printed QR code, making it useful for campaigns and content that may change.
5. Are QR codes still effective in 2026?
QR codes remain a practical way to connect physical materials with digital content. Their effectiveness depends on how they are implemented. A clear reason to scan, convenient placement, reliable design, and a useful mobile destination are all important parts of the experience.
