- How to make your visual QR code effective: Be informative by stating clearly what the code offers, add a call to action, add value (include coupons or exclusive content), make it unique by incorporating your brand kit, optimize the landing page for mobile users, test properly and regularly, monitor scans and adjust the campaign if needed.
- Design with purpose. Balance aesthetics and functionality. A scannable, well-designed QR code needs CTA, clear value exchange, and brand-matched visuals (logo, color, shape). Low customer trust and unclear intent, not bad printing, are the main reasons people skip scanning.
- Mobile-first execution is non-negotiable. Since QR codes are mostly scanned on phones, the destination content must be mobile-optimized, and the code itself should be tested across multiple scanning apps and devices before launch.
7 Guidelines to Follow When Creating Visual QR Codes
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When generating fully customized QR codes with a logo, you need to consider the following QR code graphic design rules and practices. This is crucial to achieving your desired results and maximizing your QR code-powered campaign.
Although the process of getting started is easy, following these practices would bring you twice or even thrice the results.
A recent academic study found terribly low customer engagement with QR codes. In this survey, a group of students concluded that 4 out of 5 people had a smart device.
Also, only 1 out of 5 people could scan a QR code for a particular product/service. People agreed that they are unlikely to scan QR codes on items they use daily. Examining this study might prompt business owners to reconsider using QR codes in their marketing.
However, if you follow the QR code rules, it can be a great way to boost your sales, customer engagement, or website traffic if used correctly with a definite technique or strategy.
Read more to learn more about how to make the most out of your visual QR codes.
How to create visual QR codes
- Go to the best QR code generator online
- Choose what type of QR code solution you want
- Enter the data needed that corresponds to your QR solution
- Click dynamic instead of static
- Hit the generate QR code button
- Test your QR code before downloading
- Download and print your QR code.
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QR code guidelines: 7 QR code design rules to follow when creating visual QR codes
Here is a list of things to consider before customizing visual QR codes for your marketing campaign.
1. Be Informative
You will just see a plain QR code without knowing what is in there.
So, new users may not know what they are missing, leading to low scan rates.
One QR code rule is to include enough information so people know whether you’re offering a coupon, discount, promotional code, or more about your service or product.
2. Add Call-to-Action
A short, concise call to action will prompt people to scan your code and see what your brand is offering. Some call-to-action added to QR codes are “Scan to see offers” or “Scan to get a chance to win tickets.”
Adding a proper call to action is one of the QR code graphic design rules.
3. Add Value to your Visual QR code
Creating visual QR codes possesses the same concept as other advertising campaigns. Efficient added value to the product is the key to action.
Definitely, I will, too, demand something in return for my precious time while scanning a QR code.
For example, big brands can add more information about their product, coupons, special discounts, and promotional codes within the visual QR code.
4. Unique Design
Making your QR code visually appealing is a must when following QR code design rules.
Those black-and-white QR codes do not attract people as much as customized branded QR codes do. You can even cut the rectangular points off your visual QR code, making it round.
Thanks to QR code error tolerance.
For instance, remove the central part of the code and add your brand’s logo or a specific picture to attract a larger audience. Or change the pixel colors to match your brand color scheme.
Clearly, a QR code that aligns with your brand identity and delivers effective communication is more likely to be scanned than your competitors'. Adding this personal touch to your visual QR codes will give your customers a sense of recognition.
5. Use Mobile Content
If you’re using visual QR codes to drive traffic to the brand’s website. Make sure you’re using a mobile version of the website as a landing page.
QR codes are scanned on mobile devices, so it is important that people receive data optimized for mobile phones; this increases readability, boosting customer engagement.
The probability that users scan your code increases when you offer content tailored for mobile devices and also let users scan your products.
6. Testing is Crucial
It’s very common to overdo the customizing of your visual QR codes. Some colors might not complement each other. Make sure you add complementary foreground and background colors.
Therefore, it is recommended to test your QR code with several QR code scanners, so your customers don't end up with a blank page or an error.
Not only examine whether the code is scanned and readable, but also ensure that the content stored in the code is rendered on the most frequently used devices. You don’t want an irritated audience, right?
7. Always examine and change your campaign for better results
You are not bound by business rules, especially when you are fiddling with modern technologies. Thus, updating your QR code information will improve the effectiveness of the marketing campaign.
It will let you choose what type of information, design, or strategy works best for your audience — provided you have employed all steps and measurement systems throughout.
Dynamic visual QR codes are the best option you can get.
With dynamic QR codes, you can track the data they embed.
By looking at the demographics, you can reinvent and recalibrate strategies to make them more interesting and customer-engaging.
Don’t hesitate before making new decisions; every marketer wants to be one step ahead of their competition. So, your customers will be more likely to forgive you for experimenting.
Quick Answers to Common Questions
What makes a visual QR code more attractive to users?
A visual QR code looks more attractive because it combines functionality with an eye-catching design. Unlike standard black-and-white code, visual QRs include your brand logo, colors, and other design elements that align with your brand identity. When people recognize your branding, they're more likely to scan the code.
Are visual QR codes better for branding?
Yes. Visual quick response codes are an effective branding tool because they reinforce your brand identity at every customer touchpoint. They stand out more than generic, standard code, making them suitable for product packaging, business cards, marketing campaigns, and more. A recognizable code design encourages more scans by increasing user confidence.
What is the best generator for a visual QR code?
QR TIGER is the best visual QR code generator online. Their QR codes are fully customizable, whether they're free QR codes or dynamic QR codes. Their easy-to-use customization tool has professional designs that maintain the quality and scannability of your QR code.
Are visual QR codes secure?
Yes. They're as secure as the information they link to and the platform used to create them. Customizing a QR code's design does not affect its security. For better security, use a trusted QR code generator, link only to secure HTTPS websites, and monitor your code regularly for unauthorized changes. Users should always check the preview and verify the destination URL first before scanning.
Get more QR code scans by following the QR code design rules
Every marketing campaign doesn’t get positive results from the start.
Follow the QR code guidelines and tips mentioned above and keep implementing new ideas without hesitation.
Who knows, one random step in your QR code campaign may become an example for your competitors in the market.
QR codes have become a mainstream tool to market your products; you get 80% more scans when you add a call to action like “scan" or “see the video” under your QR code.
Start your free QR code marketing campaign with QR TIGER QR code generator now.
For any further queries or suggestions, feel free to contact customer service.
