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Introduction to Types of QR Codes
Introduction to Types of QR Codes
Shweta Rao avatar
Written by Shweta Rao
Updated over a week ago

What is a QR Code?

A QR Code is a type of matrix code called a two-dimensional barcode. A typical QR Code contains data points like a locator, identifier, or tracker that points to a link, usually a website or an application.

QR is an initial for Quick Response. It was originally invented as a method of inventory management by retailers and manufacturers for real-time communication. Later, different industries began implementing Quick Response systems, where they used QR Codes to relay information and create lean and efficient supply chains based on real-time customer information.

QR Codes soon became popular and moved beyond industrial use due to their ease of implementation, readability, higher storage capacity, and scan speed compared to standard barcodes.

What is a dynamic QR Code?

A dynamic QR Code is an editable QR Code. You can update its design, URL, and other settings without changing the QR Code. Uniqode’s Dynamic QR Codes can track the number of scans, locations, and operating systems they’re coming from.

Here are the different types of dynamic QR Codes available on Uniqode-

Website QR Code

The Website QR Code automatically directs users to a designated website on their smartphone's web browser. This is a convenient and efficient way to access a website while on the go, as users can quickly and easily access a website without manually entering the URL.

Linkpage QR Code

The Linkpage QR Code is a type of QR Code that is used to provide a list of clickable links to different web pages or digital content. Instead of directing the user to a single webpage, the Linkpage QR Code can direct scanners to multiple pages or resources in one convenient location.

When a user scans a Linkpage QR Code, they are taken to a landing page that contains a list of clickable links. These links can lead users to any online resource, such as a website, digital business card, social media profile, video, PDF, or other digital content.

Geolocation QR Code

Geolocation QR Code uses the device's IP address, scanning the code to determine its location and then providing targeted marketing messages, customized content, or personalized recommendations. This type of QR Code is particularly useful for businesses targeting customers based on their geographic location.


Restaurant Menu QR Code

The Restaurant menu QR Code is a type of QR Code that restaurants use to give customers easy access to their digital menus. When customers scan the QR Code, they are taken directly to the restaurant's menu, hosted on a Uniqode-supported domain.

Some restaurants have also started using QR Codes to help contactless ordering and payment, allowing customers to order and pay for their meals directly from their smartphone without interacting with a physical menu, waiter, or cashier.

See: How to create a Restaurant Menu QR Code

Form QR Code

Form QR Code directs users to a designated online form. Forms created for QR Codes can be used for various purposes, such as surveys, feedback forms, event registration forms, contact forms, order forms, and more. By using a Form QR Code, users can easily access a form and fill it out on their mobile device, making it more convenient and efficient than traditional paper forms.

PDF QR Code

PDF QR Code directs anyone who scans the code to a PDF document's landing page. PDF QR Codes are highly versatile and can be printed on various materials such as flyers, posters, brochures, and other promotional items.

Landing Page QR Code

Landing Page QR Code takes anyone who scans the QR Code to a specific landing page on a website. The landing page can be a specific product page, a promotional page, or any other webpage linked to the QR Code. You can use Uniqode’s platform to create a landing page and link your Landing Page QR Code after choosing it from the dropdown menu.

Usually, these QR Codes are designed to be placed on marketing materials such as posters, flyers, brochures, business cards, or product packaging. They make it easy for customers to access more information about a product or service by scanning the code.

Mobile App QR Code

App Download QR Code helps anyone who scans the code to quickly and easily download an app onto their mobile device or tablet. Typically, this QR Code takes users directly to the app download page on the App Store, iPad-only App Store, or Google Play, where they can download and install the app. You can even include a “Fallback URL” to redirect users to other devices and browsers.

Location QR Code

Location QR Code is a type of QR Code that contains information about a specific location, such as an address, GPS coordinates, or a map location. You can use a Location QR Code to give users directions or information about a specific place instantly.

For example, a business can use a Location QR Code on marketing materials or websites to help customers quickly find their physical location. When the QR Code is scanned, it can open up a map application with the business's address already entered, making it easy for customers to navigate to the location.

Location QR Codes can also be used in tourism and travel industries to provide information about points of interest, landmarks, or popular attractions.

Coupon QR Code

Coupon Code QR Code lets anyone who scans the code access a unique code that can be redeemed for a discount or special offer at a business or retailer. When scanned, the QR Code takes the user to a landing page that provides the coupon code, its validity, more information about the coupon code, and how to use it.

Coupon Code QR Codes can also be used to track the success of marketing campaigns and measure the effectiveness of specific offers. By using a unique code for each QR Code, businesses can track how many redemptions were made and which marketing channels were the most successful.

Social Media QR Code

Social Media QR Code can connect users with your brand's social media accounts. When scanned, the QR Code can take the user directly to a specific social media profile or page, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and others.

A business can use Social Media QR Code to help its target audience access its social media profile or encourage customers to share their experiences with a business. For example, a business can offer a discount or special promotion to customers who post a photo on social media and tag the business in the post.

Email QR Code

Email QR Code is designed to help anyone who scans a code to send an email message to a specific email address. When scanned, the code will automatically open the user's default email client and populate the recipient's email address, subject line, and body of the email (if specified) in the email composition window.

Image QR Code

An image QR Code directs anyone who scans the code to the image file rather than a webpage or other type of content. Image QR Codes can be used to showcase a product, artwork, photography, or other visual content, promote a brand, use visual aids in educational materials, and much more.

Call QR Code

Call QR Code automatically directs anyone who scans the code to dial a phone number. It is a convenient way to help people quickly call a business or individual without manually entering the phone number.

SMS QR Code

An SMS QR Code helps anyone who scans your QR Code to send you a text message friction-free. Users can send a message without manually entering a text message and the recipient’s phone number.

When to use dynamic QR Codes?

To track and measure your campaigns

Dynamic QR Codes help you track the number of scans, location, date, device, time of the scan, and more. This data can help you measure the effectiveness of any campaign you have implemented with the help of dynamic QR Codes.

To have the flexibility to edit your QR Codes

A dynamic QR Code allows you to edit your QR Code campaign while it is live. Change the URL connected to your QR Code, and you will have an all-new campaign. This means you save time and money on re-creating promotional material every time you edit a campaign.

To integrate more powerful analytical tools

You can feed the rich data tracked from dynamic QR Codes into deeper analytical tools such as Google Analytics and Meta Pixel. Integrate your Google and Meta accounts from the Uniqode dashboard in a single click and gain valuable insights into your customers.

What is a static QR Code?

A static QR Code is a simple QR Code that cannot be tracked or edited once created. Uniqode offers different types of static QR Codes -

Website QR Code

Direct your offline audience to your website with a simple Website QR Code on flyers, brochures, billboards, etc., and other promotional material.

vCard QR Code

A vCard is a format usually used to share your contact information, just like a virtual business card. The Internet standard file format for a vCard is .vcf, a Virtual Contact File. With Uniqode, you can create a vCard by filling in your contact information and linking it to a static QR Code, making it easier to share.

Linkpage QR Code

You can use a static QR Code to promote your Linkpage on any promotional material. This is a friction-free way to bring multiple links to the fingertips of your offline audience.

Email QR Code

Prevent email address typos and improve conversions by helping your customers reach your desired email address without having them type it. Uniqode's Email QR Code lets you direct your audience to a ready-to-send email with your desired email address and a pre-filled body text.

SMS QR Code

Like an Email QR Code, when anyone scans an SMS QR Code, they are redirected to a text message with their phone number and a pre-filled message ready to be sent.

Call QR Code

Essentially a QR Code for phone numbers, a Call QR Code helps you direct your audience to call your desired telephone number. Enter the telephone number you want the QR Code to dial, and you’re ready.

Plain Text QR Code

A text QR Code is a QR Code that displays some text when scanned. You can relay information like a simple text, a coupon code, an Item ID, or a serial number with a Plain Text QR Code. This content can include special characters, emoticons, and numbers up to 300 characters.

WiFi QR Code

A Wifi QR Code automatically saves your Wifi credentials on the scanner's device.

When to use static QR Codes?

One-time use

You can use static QR Codes if you don't want to track scan metrics or edit their content.

One-off marketing campaigns

Static QR Codes are useful when you quickly and efficiently need to provide detailed information to a large audience. This is useful during offline events or for one-time marketing campaigns without changing the QR Code’s content.

What is the difference between Static QR codes and Dynamic QR Code?

Dynamic and Static will visually be the same. The key difference lies in the data the codes hold and their capabilities. Static QR Codes cannot be edited once created and are not trackable. Whereas dynamic QR Codes can be edited as often as needed, are trackable, and can let you retarget people online to Facebook and Google. More importantly, static QR Codes take longer to scan than dynamic QR Codes.

Dynamic QR Code

Static QR codes

Can be edited even after printing it

Cannot be edited once created

Offers tracking data & analytics

Does not offer any scan data

Can provide data to retarget users online

Cannot be used for online retargeting

Has a short and clean URL

Has a long and complicated URL

Takes less time to scan

Takes longer to scan

Can be used in different campaigns as it is editable

Cannot deliver different campaigns

Can be used to schedule campaigns

Cannot be scheduled

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