Sharing a Website Link With a QR Code: Best Practices
How to make a link QR code that scans easily and takes people to a page that works well on a phone.
A link QR code is the most common kind. A few choices make it work better.
Start with the destination
- Send people to a page built for phones. Most scanners are phones.
- Link to the exact page you want, not a busy home page.
- Make the page load fast. People scanning will not wait long.
Keep the address short
A shorter address gives a simpler, more reliable code.
- Remove tracking parameters you do not need.
- Use a clean path, such as example.com/menu, if you control the site.
- Avoid long strings of letters and numbers.
Use https
Links that start with https:// are encrypted in transit, and phones treat them with more trust.
Add a call to action
A bare code gives people no reason to scan. Add a short line:
- "Scan for the menu"
- "Scan to see the schedule"
- "Scan to join"
Choose the right size
Make the printed code big enough for the distance people will scan from. See the rule of thumb of about ten times the width.
Think about the future
If you print the code on something permanent, the page must stay online.
- Use an address you control.
- Keep the link working or redirect it.
Check on both screens
Test the page on a phone with a weak connection as well as a fast one.
Tips
- Short, https, mobile-friendly.
- Label the code.
- Test the printed version.
QR Code Scanner can generate a link QR code and then scan it back, so you can test the result at once.
Scan and create QR codes and barcodes with QR Code Scanner →
QR Code Scanner
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