Can I Make a QR Code for Free?

In today’s digital world, QR Codes have become essential tech players, bridging the gap between physical and digital landscapes. 

Though they were once ignored, these image patterns now act as industry access points to a wide range of information, linking customers to goods, services, and experiences with a quick scan. In this article, you’ll learn all you need to create an ideal QR Code for your business.

How to Make a QR Code for a Link

A QR Code, or quick response code, is a machine code that is readable by smartphone cameras. It typically consists of a grid of pixelated black squares on a white background that encodes data that can be read usually by a smartphone. 

When you hold up your phone camera to the encoded image, a URL pops up. With a click, you’re taken directly to a website or location without having to enter a long web address. Before we talk about how to make a QR Code for a link, let's consider the types of QR Codes.

Types of QR Codes

A QR Code can be of any size and located anywhere on the product. The types include:

• Traditional QR Codes: These are the conventional QR Codes with the standard black and white QR code design. They are commonly used in product packaging and restaurant menus.

• Creative QR Codes: These QR Codes have better visual appeal than traditional QR Codes. They are often decorated by adding colors, custom frames, design elements, and background images, and they may incorporate the company’s logo in the QR Code design while retaining their functionality.

QR Codes may also be classified into:

• Static QR Codes: These QR Codes can not be edited after they are created. Here, the link is permanently embedded and cannot be altered.

• Dynamic QR Codes: In these QR Codes, the data stored can be modified. When a link is embedded in a dynamic QR Code, it can be changed from time to time to direct users to different web pages as desired.

How to Create a QR Code for a Link

To create a QR Code for a link, you need a QR Code generator. This is an online tool that creates a QR Code for storing various data, especially URL links. These links help businesses direct users to the company's website or access product information. 

Manufacturers of grills, electric appliances, construction tools and various equipment can use these embedded links to direct their customers to product registrations and warranty through a QR Code on product packaging. Also, trade show signages often have a QR Code embedded with links to direct attendees to their landing page to learn more about their products.

There are various online QR Code generators you can use to create a QR Code for a link, including Lumavate, Canva QR Code, QR Stuff, and QR Code Monkey. 

Here’s a general guide on how to create a QR Code online for a link to your website:

1. Go to a QR Code generator of your choice.

2. Choose your desired plan.

3. Select the “Link” option from the menu.

4. Copy and paste your link into the provided field.

5. Click “Generate” to create the QR Code.

6. Run a scan test on the QR Code and download it.

How Long Do QR Codes Last?

The QR Code generator a company employs or the type of QR Code it uses will determine how long the code will last. While some QR Codes have an expiration date, others do not.

Static QR Codes often have no expiration date, with permanent links that can not be altered in any way. However, the web destination or information linked to a static QR Code may be lost or corrupted over time, resulting in increasing nonfunctional QR Codes. This was a major cause of low adoption rates for QR Codes before 2020. 

After 2020, it became necessary for companies to create QR Codes that allowed the embedded links to be edited or changed totally, providing room for long-term management of the QR Code. These dynamic QR Codes have significantly reduced the prevalence of broken links or nonfunctional QR Codes.

Can I Make a QR Code for Free?

Yes. Individuals or companies can make a QR Code online for free using a QR Code generator. An example of a free QR code online QR code generator is QR Code Generator. Others include QRTiger, QR Code Monkey, and Beaconstac.

As good as “free” may sound, there are some drawbacks marketers of various companies may face when using a free QR Code generator. These include:

• It’s difficult or not possible to track QR Code analytics. 

• These solutions typically do not allow edits; once you create the free QR Code, you can not make further changes.

• Customizing options are limited, which often results in QR Codes that do not align with your brand.

• Customer support is unavailable or minimal.

• Increased security threats and breaches.

• No extensions and integrations.

• Can only create a few QR Codes at a time.

How Much Does It Cost to Own a QR Code?

There are multiple ways you can create a QR Code. By using a free QR Code generator, you will have access to the service (though constrained) at no cost. When you use paid QR Code generators, you will be required to purchase a subscription. The cost of QR Code generator platforms varies depending on the company. Some examples of paid QR Code generators and their prices are outlined below.

QRFY

• €19.50 per month for 12 months

• €29.50 per month for 3 months

• €24.50 per month for 6 months

Flowcode

• $60 per year for “Pro”

• $250 per year for “Growth”

• $300 per year for “Pro Plus”

QR Code Generator by Bitly

• $96 per year for “Core”

• $348 per year for “Growth”

• $2388 per year for “Premium”

Though the above QR Code generators are better than the free QR code generators, they are all disadvantaged in some way. This is because they lack key extensions, offering only the QR Code — unlike Lumavate.

Lumavate Is the Best QR Code Generator Trusted by Manufacturing Companies

Lumavate is a Product Experience Management (PXM) Platform that has a comprehensive suite of capabilities, including a Product Information Management (PIM), Digital Asset Management (DAM) solution, and Digital Experience Platform (DXP) functionality. 

Within the Lumavate Platform, manufacturers can effectively centralize product data, manage digital assets, and create engaging digital product experiences for their customers.

With QR Codes directly linked to each digital product experience, manufacturers can track data and key analytics within the platform and utilize this information to make key company decisions. Lumavate offers direct integration with Google Analytics, allowing manufacturers to gain insights such as page views, number of sessions, and average session duration. 

Choose Lumavate as your QR Code generator to create easy activations for your digital product experiences. Schedule a demo with us now.