Updated article 26.11.2019
Do you know what a QR code is? If not, you are probably not following the latest trends in online business. Special links and information encoded in a square with black and white squares were laughed at in the past, but today even the largest companies in the world use them. You can find them in popular communication applications, in flyers, but also on products in stores. You will learn how to use QR codes correctly and where to apply them in our next blog.
The article was revised and updated in May 2026.
The largest QR code size (40) has 177 rows and columns of squares. It can hold up to 4,296 alphanumeric characters.
They are used by Facebook, Snapchat and Google
QR codes, as one of the possibilities of sharing digital information, exist already since 1997. But we can talk about their full-fledged renaissance only this year. They are used in their online solutions by international companies, including Google, Facebook and, for example, Snapchat. While communication applications Facebook Messenger a Snapchat use QR codes to share contact information between users, Google he uses them, for example, in presentations or in infographics.
In order to be able to read the QR code, you need a special device, or a smartphone with a camera and a suitable mobile application. However, smartphone manufacturers are gradually incorporating their applications directly Camera function of scanning QR codes. Today, it is offered, for example, by devices from Apple, Xiaomi, and other manufacturers.
iPhones running iOS 11 and higher and some Android devices can natively scan QR codes without the need to download an external app.
How to use QR codes correctly
Although some companies give the impression that they would prefer to put a QR code on the facade of the building in which they are located, there are at least some general rules for where and how QR codes should be used. Their visibility, size, distance, but also their staticity are important. It takes a few seconds to scan a QR code with a mobile device. This is also why QR codes suitable to use for example:
- v časopisoch, ako súčasť reklamy s odkazom na landing page reklamovaného produktu alebo služby,
- na letákoch, ako odkaz na ďalšie informácie na webe, odkaz na sociálne siete, či odkaz na online článok,
- v obchodoch (napr. pri pokladni), ako odkaz na stiahnutie mobilnej aplikácie, reklamačného poriadku alebo iných dokumentov, či ako odkaz na sociálne siete obchodu,
- v miestach bezhotovostného platenia, kde naskenovaním QR kódu môže zákazník zaplatiť napríklad za nákup, či využitie istej služby,
- na obale produktu, ako odkaz na registráciu vo vernostnom programe, či zdieľanie informácií o produkte,
- na vizitke, ako odkaz na stiahnutie kontaktných informácií v tvare vcard,
- na faktúrach, pre ich rýchlejšie platenie. Odporúčame služby BySquare,
- na bodoch záujmu (POI), kde chcete, aby sa zahlásili vaši zákazníci,
- na konferenciách, kde QR kódy môžu slúžiť na registráciu účastníkov, ale aj na zdieľanie prezentácií,
- na miestach, kde ľudia trávia množstvo času – môžu to byť zastávky, čakárne u lekára, ale aj kaviarne. QR kódy môžu byť v tomto prípade odkazmi na články, sociálne siete, či zaujímavé informácie, ktoré pomôžu zákazníkom „zahnať nudu“.
Where QR codes should not be used
However, there are also places that you would definitely go to they didn't have place QR codes. They are, for example:
- billboards, of which scanning a QR code while driving a car is almost impossible,
- rollups, in case the QR code is very small and inappropriately placed (for example, in the lower third of the rollup, near the ground),
- mobile applications, because the customer would need another mobile phone to read the QR code (the exception is sharing contact information with another person),
- website, where instead of QR codes it should be possible to obtain information with a click of the mouse,
- online banners, where QR codes are too small and unreadable,
- advertising items with small dimensions (pen, lanyard, pendant) or with an uneven surface (sports equipment such as a ball, headband, etc.),
- moving objects, for example on the construction of means of transport, on the jerseys of athletes and the like,
- hard to reach places, where a person has to exert a lot of effort to read the QR code.
Basically, only one general rule applies – The QR code must be easily and effortlessly readable.
What should you watch out for with QR codes?
Apart from many advantages, square QR codes also have one disadvantage – they are not readable by the human eye. This means that when a person looks at a QR code, he does not directly know where its scanning will lead him. This is also why when applying QR codes, you should think about the fact that they cannot be easily covered and replaced with a link to a malicious website or software. For example, creating special QR codes that contain your logo can help.
Create your own QR codes
If you also want to create your own QR code and use it to promote your products or services, you can use freely available online tools. However, always make sure that your QR code has high graphic quality and is easy to scan. When using it, observe the protective zone around it and choose a higher quality of graphic output.
What can be encoded in a QR code
it is most often encoded into a QR code URL address – after scanning, a QR coded web page will open in the browser
business card with contacts
QR payments – payment of invoices – Pay by square – After scanning the QR code, which contains all the information necessary to make the payment, the invoice can be paid directly through your bank's banking solution. Pay by square is compatible with the SEPA payment standard and supported by all banks affiliated under the banner of the Slovak Banking Association.
invoice for posting – After scanning the QR code, general invoicing data, invoice summary and document items are loaded directly into the system.
unique identification number for scanning - for example, product number - SKU in your warehouse
two-level authentication in banking
Websites that will help you create your own QR code:
Ak si použitím QR kódu vo vašich produktoch a službách nie ste istí, kontaktujte nás a radi vám s týmto problémom pomôžeme. Na naše služby sa môžete obrátiť aj v prípade zaradenia QR kódov do grafických podkladov vašej spoločnosti, či pri A/B testingu ich využitia. Radi vám pomôžeme aj s vložením QR kódov do vašich marketingových kampaní.
