Free QR Code Generator - DearQR

Before we dive deep into QR codes we must understand what are QR codes (Quick Response codes)

QR codes are simple 2 dimensional barcodes created for the purpose of storing short information that can be read using a QR code scanner. The main purpose of the QR codes is to hold more information than the barcodes. In short QR codes can be described as a bridge between digital and the physical world.

QR codes can also store information like calendar events, email addresses, phone numbers, and even plain text messages. Their versatility and ease of use have made them an essential tool in modern communication and data sharing.

The main purpose of the QR codes is to transfer data from physical medium to digital medium just by scanning. You can convert some data to QR codes and print them on a paper / poster and you can show them on billboards, TV advertisements, etc. To get the data in your smartphone, all you have to do is to scan the QR code with your QR code scanner app or just with your phone camera. Most Android mobile phone cameras and iPhone cameras support QR code scanning. iOS has a default QR scanner present in latest versions.

What can you do with DearQR?

With DearQR - QR code generator, you can create your QR codes for free and use them anywhere as you like without any strings attached. It is very easy to create QR codes with DearQR. With DearQR, you can not only create default black and white QR codes but also colourful QR codes. No special technical skills required.

With QR codes you can do the below:

• Change URLs to QR Codes, which will automatically redirect users to the URL in their browser.
• Promote your social media profile links as QR codes. Easy to scan and share.
• Collect payments via Scan.
• Enable users to connect with your Wi-Fi on scanning eliminating the use of entering the password manually.
• Share PDF files, photos & Map locations (Google maps, open street maps, Apple maps etc.)
• Promote mobile app downloads.

and so much more. Your imagination is the limit.

Let me share some of the popular QR codes format here.

• URL or Website Link QR Codes
• vCard (Contact details that can immediately stored to your mobile/tablet)
• Simple text QR codes.
• Email QR codes. (Upon scanning you will be redirected to your default email app with "To" information.)
• Whatsapp or SMS QR codes
• Wi-Fi QR codes
• Event QR codes (Automatically adds to your calendar)
• Location QR codes
• Phone QR codes
• Files Link QR codes (PDFs, Music etc)

Why is it recommended to use QR codes?

• Ease of use
• Saves Time
• Contactless
• Trackable
• Cost effective solution
• Customisable

Ease of use:

Ease of use is the biggest factor why people lean more toward the QR codes. You don`t have to force users to type all details manually in their mobile phone by looking at your website address. Also users don`t need any special app installation for QR code scanning.

Saves Time:

Users will save a lot of time by not typing urls from your TV commercials, billboards, flyers etc. Just a quick scan and the data will reach their device in a second. Not only URLs but you can also let users view PDF files, audio, video links (YouTube, Dailymotion etc.) on their mobile device once they scan.

Contactless:

The best example for this contactless advantage is the Dining menu card. You can just scan a QR code and get your menu on your mobile phone / tablet device. So that you can have a clear look at the menu without any urgency of passing it over to others. Everyone in your table can have their own menu so you don`t have to share it and get back frequently. Also you need not touch a physical menu card and risk yourself getting infected.

Cost Effective Solution:

It is very cost effective since it is free to create, use & print QR codes on all your marketing materials like flyers, billboards, brochures to bridge the gap between offline marketing and online marketing.

Customizable:

You can customize your QR code to match your brand color, shapes & logo.

How to create a QR code in 3 simple steps:

Choose your QR code type

Select QR code type based on the data you want as QR code. It could be Website URL, Social media links, Wi-Fi password, vCard and fill in the data.

Choose your design / color / logo

You have three different structures in QR code. You can customize all three as you like.

1. Pattern Design - QR code body design
2. Marker border - Marker is the eye part of the QR code, you can choose a design for the marker`s border.
3. Marker eye - Marker eye design can also be customised - choose from one of the available designs.

Choose the format

Once you have created the QR code you can now choose in which format you want to download the QR code. (PNG or SVG)

• Choose SVG if you want the image to be used in web pages.
• Choose PNG, if you want to use them in other areas such as posters, invitations, billboards, flyers etc.

Static QR codes vs Dynamic QR codes:

Static QR codes:

Data is directly encoded into QR code. The content of the Static QR code cannot be changed once it is generated or printed. Simple and can be used for data such as URL, text & social media links.

Dynamic QR codes:

Data is never directly printed in dynamic QR code, instead the data will be stored on a different url and the data printed on the QR code will just redirect to the location url of that data.

For example: drqr.pro/dTSFr will be the data printed on the QR code. On visiting this URL, you will be redirected to the original url https://www.dearqr.com - the redirection logic will be coded on the backend. Now if you want to change the url from https://www.dearqr.com to https://api.dearqr.com then you can change the data in the background and the drqr.pro/dTSFr QR code will redirect to the new url. Since the shortcode is not changed, QR code doesn`t need to be changed.

Not only data change, but you can also do clicks tracking, collect analytics data, location data and much more during the redirection and use them for your marketing and analysis purpose. Helps to do A/B testing of the QR code placement in the newspaper ads, TV commercials etc.

What are the fields that have QR codes usage?

Nearly every field can leverage QR codes for improving their client`s experience and improvements of services. Below I have listed some of the popular fields that uses QR codes in their day to day operations.

• Online and Offline Marketing
• Retail industry
• Restaurants and hotels
• Hospitals and healthcares
• Food industry
• Education
• Real Estate
• Event Management
• IT industry
• Payments

This is just a tip of the iceberg. A lot more industries are slowly adapting QR codes nowadays.

Is it actually safe to use QR codes?

Yes, QR codes are completely safe if we follow certain rules just like the other technologies.

• Only scan the QR codes displayed on trusted places.
• Never scan a QR code from shady websites.
• Never scan a QR code that forces you to visit URLs that are not Https.
• When using payment related QR codes, double check the sender address.