Ask Dave Taylor
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Home
  • YouTube Videos
  • Top Categories
  • Subscribe via Email
  • Ask A Question
  • Meet Dave
  • Home
  • Computer & Internet Basics
  • How do I create QR Codes?

How do I create QR Codes?

August 31, 2017 / Dave Taylor / Computer & Internet Basics, PayPal Help / 2 Comments

I work for a non-profit and the board has asked me to add a QR Code to our festival pamphlets that’ll make it easy for people to get to our Web site. I have no idea how to proceed. Help!

That’s a great idea and a great use of QR codes, actually, a shortcut to jump directly to an organization’s Web site. QR stands for “quick response” and while it hasn’t taken off in the way that the designers might have expected, I still bump into a few QR codes just about every day. On my new drone, for example, there’s a QR code for downloading the app and another one for the training and getting started videos. Easy, straightforward.

Not everyone knows what they are, of course, and it’s still the case that you’ll need a special app to scan and process QR codes, but the fact that they’re still in use shows that plenty of people have figured this out and are using them!

There are a lot of programs and Web sites that let you generate QR codes, but I like QR Stuff, which you can reach at qrstuff.com.

Here’s the home page, where everything’s ready to go, even without you signing up for an account:

qrstuff.com home page

It’s a bit daunting, but the process is quite simple, actually. To start, decide what kind of information you want to encode in the QR code itself. You can choose from a URL to a phone number, map coordinates to an iTunes app shortcut, SKype address to PayPal link.

Here are but a few data type options:

qr code data type

There are more choices, but that gives you a sense of just how varied your content can be. For your use, the default “Website URL” is fine.

Moving on to step two, enter your URL:

create qr code - enter URL

Here I’m using my YouTube channel URL for this test. Notice the lower section too: you can choose to have a static URL (like we’re doing) or you can use a redirect which will ensure that the QR Code can stay functional even if you change domain names. This is particularly handy if you are linking to something that is likely to change, like an intro video for the organization!

A static URL works fine. I type it in, double check for typos and step three shows the resultant QR code:

create build qr code free

It says “preview” but it’s the real thing, your QR code ready to go. You can change the foreground color if you’d like, but make sure it remains high contrast so it’s easily scanned.

And that’s it. Done. You can drag the QR code off the Web page or click “Download QR Code” and have it show up in your downloads folder. Either way works.

Here’s my resultant QR Code:

sample qr code, youtube channel

Try scanning it, see where you go! (and click to subscribe while you’re there! 🙂 )

For fun, here’s another QR code that has a lot more information:

mystery qr code - what's in it?

As you can see, a QR Code with more information becomes “denser”. Try scanning it!

About the Author: Dave Taylor has been involved with the online world since the early days of the Internet. Author of over 20 technical books, he runs the popular AskDaveTaylor.com tech help site. You can also find his gadget reviews on YouTube and chat with him on Twitter as @DaveTaylor.

Let’s Stay In Touch!

Never miss a single article, review or tutorial here on AskDaveTaylor, sign up for my fun weekly newsletter!
Name: 
Your email address:*
Please enter all required fields
Correct invalid entries
No spam, ever. Promise. Powered by FeedBlitz
Please choose a color:
Starbucks coffee cup I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!
build qr code, create qr code, free qr code, qr code, qr code generator

2 comments on “How do I create QR Codes?”

  1. awais qarni says:
    September 10, 2017 at 10:39 pm

    Hi Davi good information thanks

    Reply
  2. Billy Bob says:
    September 6, 2017 at 11:51 pm

    Once upon an app store query
    while I browsed,always leery
    I searched for a good
    QR reader app
    and mostly found–app store crap.
    Some had ads, others had bugs, others were full of one star reviews
    As a cautious user, I began to muse
    While I sit in my chamber typing bad verse
    Why would I want to
    Visit a site without viewing the URL first?
    I wouldn’t click a bit.ly and I wouldn’t click a goo.gl
    Could I see my way to visiting an unseen URL any other way?

    That’s my load of poetry BS
    I guess I should add my PS: yeah I found one a while back that shows the barcode contents but takes no other action w/o permission. And ad free!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search

Recent Posts

  • Guide to Customizing Google Chrome Color & Theme
  • How to Customize Folders In File Explorer’s Quick Access List
  • How to Add the Cursor to MacOS Screen Captures?
  • How to Share Your Screen in a FaceTime Call or Meeting
  • Why is Netflix Texting Me About Billing Problems?

On Our YouTube Channel

Igloohome Smart Padlock 2 -- DEMO & REVIEW

Nomad STAND ONE MagSafe Charger -- REVIEW

Categories

  • AdSense, AdWords, and PPC Help (106)
  • Amazon, eBay, and Online Shopping Help (166)
  • Android Help (234)
  • Apple iPad Help (150)
  • Apple Watch Help (54)
  • Articles, Tutorials, and Reviews (346)
  • Auto Tech Help (19)
  • Business Advice (201)
  • ChromeOS Help (38)
  • Computer & Internet Basics (790)
  • d) None of the Above (166)
  • Facebook Help (384)
  • Google, Chrome & Gmail Help (192)
  • HTML & Web Page Design (248)
  • Instagram Help (49)
  • iPhone & iOS Help (631)
  • iPod & MP3 Player Help (173)
  • Kindle & Nook Help (100)
  • LinkedIn Help (90)
  • Linux Help (178)
  • Linux Shell Script Programming (90)
  • Mac & MacOS Help (920)
  • Most Popular (16)
  • Outlook & Office 365 Help (35)
  • PayPal Help (68)
  • Pinterest Help (54)
  • Reddit Help (21)
  • SEO & Marketing (82)
  • Spam, Scams & Security (99)
  • Trade Show News & Updates (23)
  • Twitter Help (224)
  • Video Game Tips (66)
  • Web Site Traffic Tips (62)
  • Windows PC Help (964)
  • Wordpress Help (206)
  • Writing and Publishing (72)
  • YouTube Help (47)
  • YouTube Video Reviews (159)
  • Zoom, Skype & Video Chat Help (65)

Archives

Social Connections:

Ask Dave Taylor


Follow Me on Pinterest
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on LinkedIn
Follow me on Instagram


AskDaveTaylor on Facebook



microsoft insider mvp


This web site is for the purpose of disseminating information for educational purposes, free of charge, for the benefit of all visitors. We take great care to provide quality information. However, we do not guarantee, and accept no legal liability whatsoever arising from or connected to, the accuracy, reliability, currency or completeness of any material contained on this site or on any linked site. Further, please note that by submitting a question or comment you're agreeing to our terms of service, which are: you relinquish any subsequent rights of ownership to your material by submitting it on this site. Our lawyer says "Thanks for your cooperation."
© 2023 by Dave Taylor. "Ask Dave Taylor®" is a registered trademark of Intuitive Systems, LLC.
Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions - Accessibility Policy