Best QR Code Generator

The best QR Code generator is designed to simplify your QR Code creation process. It offers robust analytics and customization options to suit your needs.

With this technology, you'll find a user-friendly way to generate QR Codes that align perfectly with your goals and branding. Let’s explore the history of QR Code generators, what they are used for, how they function, and provide insights into the best QR Code generator for your company.

QR Code's Comeback

QR Codes are a technology that enables customers to quickly access information using their mobile devices. It typically appears as a square array composed of black and white pixels that can be scanned with a smartphone camera to view stored data.

QR Codes, or quick response codes, first appeared in 1994 when a Japanese company, Denso Wave, a subsidiary of the Toyota Motor Corporation, began to consider ways to track and monitor their automobile parts during the manufacturing and assembly process. The invention of the QR code was an industry breakthrough that greatly facilitated their operations and improved their overall work efficiency.

1990 – 2020

From the 1990s to 2020, the possibility for widespread and public application of QR Codes began to take shape. This was mainly due to the advancement of mobile phone technology with the addition of internet connectivity and built-in cameras. However, the adoption of QR Codes remained relatively low for several reasons. One of the major reasons was that many QR Codes created during that period led to broken links, and even if the links went through, the contents were either unappealing or simply irrelevant. This made some customers begin to see scanning QR Codes as a waste of time, deterring many of them. Others simply did not try because they assumed the contents of QR Codes were unsafe.

2020 – Present

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic struck. With serious concerns over the spread of the virus through physical contact, there was a need to carry out secure transactions without physical contact. This crisis propelled QR Codes into the limelight, making them a vital tool for safe, contactless interactions. Businesses such as restaurants and grocery outlets quickly adopted QR Codes, allowing customers to order food and make payments using their smartphones. Also, industries and governments worldwide harnessed QR Codes for contact tracing.

Beyond the pandemic, QR Codes have developed significantly, and their applications have grown far beyond those related to the pandemic. In 2022, approximately 89 million smartphone users in the U.S. scanned a QR Code on their mobile devices. Current applications of QR Codes include general marketing, product information, tracking, document management, business cards, food packaging, customer surveys, contactless payments, app downloads, events, purchasing tickets for events, and so on.

What Are QR Codes Used For?

Though QR Codes find useful applications in various industries, they have established themselves as a vital asset in the manufacturing industry. This is because of their role in helping to drive manufacturing operations and enhancing product marketing efforts.

As a versatile, user-friendly, and highly effective tool, QR Codes provide a range of advantages like increased customer engagement, insights into customer behavior, lead generation, and more. With the development of technology, QR Codes will likely be used in ever more creative ways in the manufacturing industry.

Examples of manufacturing settings and industrial scenarios where QR Codes are useful are listed below.

Product Packaging

Manufacturing companies utilize QR codes on product packaging to direct customers, through a link, to product registrations and information. Packaging QR Codes are used to convey information about a product's features, benefits, and applications. They are used at the end of the buying journey to obtain customer feedback and to carry out surveys on satisfaction.

Signage

Trade show signages printed with QR Codes are an efficient redirecting tool that directs visitors to a landing page with information about the products the booth is showcasing. According to recent studies, 85 percent of consumers notice advertisements on billboard signage. This is because signages with QR Codes are simple to deploy and read, making them an efficient tool for driving traffic.

Advertising

For mobile marketers, QR Codes have several benefits, including bridging the gap between offline and online spheres, boosting user experience, raising engagement and conversion rates, and strengthening campaign tracking and assessments. QR Codes on an in-aisle shelf talker can take shoppers to a page where they can learn more about a product, while QR Codes on the second screen in TV ads can direct them to subscription payment gateways.

QR Codes can link printed advertisements, flyers, product catalogs, or packaging to digital material, offer quick access to pertinent and helpful information, and motivate users to act through compelling calls to action. They also provide insights into the number of people who scanned your QR Codes and their demographics.

Enable Product Training

Utilizing QR Codes for product training is a game-changer in ensuring that customers can make the most of their purchases. By integrating QR Codes into product packaging or accompanying materials, companies can offer a comprehensive learning experience for users. When scanned, these QR Codes open up a wealth of resources, including step-by-step instructional videos, detailed operator's manuals, troubleshooting guides, and other valuable content. This interactive approach empowers customers to gain a deeper understanding of the product's functionality, features, and best practices. It not only enhances user satisfaction by reducing confusion but also promotes a sense of product ownership and loyalty. QR Codes for product training act as a bridge between businesses and customers, fostering a more informed and confident user.

Track Product Maintenance

QR Codes can play a pivotal role in revolutionizing product maintenance tracking customers. By incorporating QR Codes into their products, companies can empower their customers to effortlessly monitor product usage and receive timely maintenance recommendations.

When scanned with a smartphone or a dedicated app, these QR Codes can retrieve data on the product's usage patterns, analyzing factors such as duration and frequency of use. With this information, customers can stay ahead of maintenance needs, receiving timely alerts and suggestions on when specific maintenance tasks should be performed. Additionally, customers can conveniently log the date of all completed product maintenance through the QR Code, creating a comprehensive history that ensures optimal product performance and fosters a sense of trust and reliability between businesses and their customers. QR Codes serve as a powerful tool for enhancing product longevity and customer satisfaction.

Customer Support

QR Codes are used to improve the customer experience and support. Customers may instantly access a multitude of information, including specifications, usage guidelines, and customer assistance options when manufacturers include QR Codes on their products. Customer happiness rises as a result of this considerate strategy, which also promotes brand loyalty.

Enhancing Efficiency

Another importance of QR Codes in manufacturing is increased efficiency. By simply scanning a QR Code, employees may quickly obtain crucial information about products, assets or processes, saving considerable time and effort that would otherwise be expended looking for the information. This surge in work efficiency results in shortened production cycles, lower operating costs, and increased overall output.

How Are QR Codes Generated?

There are various ways to create a QR Code to display various types of content (most commonly, an embedded link). To generate a QR Code online, you need a QR code generator. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make a QR Code for a link:

Search for your preferred QR Code generator by typing "QR generator" in the Google search box.
From the data menu, choose "Link".
Paste your desired link into the empty data field.
Choose the type of QR Code, "static QR Code" or a "dynamic QR Code," depending on your preferences.
Personalize your QR Code by incorporating colors, frames, or your brand logo if the platform offers that functionality and if it aligns with your business goals.
Click the "Generate" button to craft the QR Code.
Perform a trial scan on the QR Code to ensure its functionality by using a QR Code scanner and save

How to Scan QR Codes

A QR Code scanner allows you to scan or read the content of a QR Code. QR Code scanners, which are now mostly incorporated into most smartphone cameras, allow you to interpret QR Codes by focusing your phone camera on the pixelated image. After a few seconds, a popup link is displayed. When you click the link, you will be directed to the embedded webpage.

Subtle differences exist between scanning a QR Code on an iOS device and using an Android device. The camera app on iOS devices like iPhones and iPads includes a built-in QR Code scanner, and, as such, no additional apps are needed to scan codes. Simply repeat the steps above, and you're good to go. To scan a QR Code with an Android device, follow the same steps as for iOS. However, failures may arise in some cases, especially if you are using an old version of Android or due to some other issue. If your built-in camera fails to scan the QR Code with your Android phone, you can try the following methods:

On your device, go to "Settings" > "Apps" > "Camera" and turn on "Scan QR Codes"
Use Google Lens
Install a third-party app or browser

Can We Create a QR Code With a Logo?

Yes! Generally, there are traditional (standard) QR Codes with no special design and creative QR Codes that allow you to incorporate your company's logo in the QR Code design using a QR generator with logo, such as the free version of Adobe Express.

Companies that adopt QR Codes with logos often do so to establish their brand identity and increase brand awareness, usually for a specific marketing campaign. This is because customers who interact with a manufacturer's QR Codes are likely to do so to access a digital registration form or to learn more about the manufacturer's products. Examples of a branded QR Code logo include Coca-Cola's and Skittles's branded QR codes.

Are All QR Code Generators the Same?

Not all QR Code generators are the same. The QR Code generator a company employs or uses will determine how it works. Generally, there are two types of QR Code generators:

Free QR Code Generator - These allow companies to make QR Codes online for free. Examples include QR Code Generator, QRTiger, QR Code Monkey, and Beaconstac.
Paid QR Code Generator - These require subscriptions to access their function. Payments are made monthly, quarterly, or annually depending on your subscription plan. Examples include QRFY, Flowcode, and QR Code Generator by Bitly.

Though free QR Code generators help to save costs, marketers often experience serious drawbacks when they adopt them. Examples of commonly encountered drawbacks include failure to track QR Code analytics, leading to poor marketing implementation, and limited ability to edit URLs, resulting in inactive QR Codes.

Broken or inactive QR Codes occur when the online destination of a permanent link is corrupted or becomes inaccessible over time. The sure way to prevent these drawbacks is to adopt the best paid QR Code generator — Lumavate.

With a Product Information Management (PIM) solution, a Digital Asset Management (DAM) solution, and Digital Experience Platform (DXP) capabilities, Lumavate is equipped with all the necessary resources and functionality to give you the best QR Code generation service. The links embedded in Lumavate QR Codes are dynamic and can be edited anytime. Also, Lumavate's QR Code tracking is directly integrated with Google Analytics to allow manufacturers to benefit from essential marketing data such as page views, number of sessions, and average session duration.

Does Google Have a QR Code Generator?

Yes. The Google QR Code generator allows you to create a QR Code on Google Chrome to share a webpage. Simply click on the "share" within the toolbar and select "QR Code." This will generate a QR Code tailored to the URL of your choice. However, the Google QR Code is limited to one URL per code, does not allow customization, and does not allow edits. Due to these limitations, it is not considered a true QR Code generator, so it is not suitable for use by manufacturers.

What Is the Best QR Code Generator for Business?

When you are looking for the best QR Code generator for business, you will find yourself asking "What QR Code generator should I use?" To make the right choice for your business, there are key qualities you should look out for. These include

Ease of use
Ability to edit content and URL behind the code
The length at which the QR Code is active
Ease of customization
QR code tracking and analytics

Lumavate is the best QR Code generator for manufacturers. that integrates all these qualities — and more. Lumavate’s Product Experience Management (PXM) Platform enables manufacturers to centralize product data, manage digital assets, and enables marketers to create digital product experiences quickly,

Plus, we have a direct integration to Google Analytics, providing you with vital data you need to make marketing decisions.

Get Started With Lumavate

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