--- title: "QR Codes: How to Get Started with Link Management - BLINK" description: How to create QR codes, why you should use QR codes, how QR codes work, getting started with QR codes to connect content with your audience with BLINK. image: https://www.bl.ink/hubfs/Blink%20Compress%20Images/The-Beginners-Guide-to-QR-Codes.png --- [![blink-logo-white](https://www.bl.ink/hs-fs/hubfs/zz-Archive/emails/blink-logo-white.png?width=714&height=143&name=blink-logo-white.png) ](https://www.bl.ink) [![login to blink](https://www.bl.ink/hubfs/Theme%202022/Global%20Assets/person-logo.svg) Login ](https://app.bl.ink/my-login) [ Get a Demo ](https://bl.ink/top-right) ![Icon-3](https://www.bl.ink/hubfs/Website%20navigation%20icons/new-svg-image/Icon-3.svg) #### Features Where we shine ![Icon-nav-flexi](https://www.bl.ink/hubfs/Website%20navigation%20icons/new-svg-image/Icon-nav-flexi.svg) #### Flexibility Editable links 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Management](https://www.bl.ink/blog/tag/link-management) [byKeven](https://www.bl.ink/blog/author/keven)May 23, 2023 12:15:00 PM Listen to this blog # QR Codes: How to Get Started with Link Management - BLINK If you've been seeing QR codes everywhere but have no idea how they are used or how to generate them, this article is for you. In this beginner's guide to [QR codes](https://www.bl.ink/enterprise/features/qr-codes/), we'll explain what they are and how you can use them to maximize your marketing efforts. Stay tuned to learn all about QR codes! ## What are QR codes and how do they work? QR Codes (Quick Response Codes) are two-dimensional barcodes that are becoming increasingly popular for daily use. These QR codes contain text, URL links, or other types of data that can be easily scanned with a QR code reader or smartphone. Brands can use QR codes to open their website, track packages, generate text messages, or connect their physical audience with their digital content. QR codes provide an efficient way to quickly transfer information due to their high storage capacity and fast decoding speeds. They are simple to generate and use and they offer a wide variety of applications in everyday life - for both consumers and brands. ### Anatomy of a QR code We've all seen QR codes, but what are they made up of? QR codes can contain web links, phone numbers, addresses, ID numbers, etc., and link to websites, promotions, entry forms, polls, contests, sweepstakes, and more. When it comes to the anatomy of a QR code, we'll focus on the pieces that can be customized with BLINK: the body, inner eye, and outer eye. The body of the QR code is all the boxes, pixels, or dots located in the center of the square. We offer several styles for brands to customize the appearance of the QR code body. ![Custom QR Code Templates (1)](https://www.bl.ink/hs-fs/hubfs/Custom%20QR%20Code%20Templates%20(1).png?width=598&height=169&name=Custom%20QR%20Code%20Templates%20(1).png) The eyes of the QR code are in the top right, top left, and bottom left of the QR code. Both the inner and the outer eye can be customized to be rounded, partially rounded, squared, etc. ## ![Anatomy of QR Code](https://www.bl.ink/hubfs/undefined-1.jpeg) ## How to create a QR code QR codes offer an easy and efficient way to access additional information from any web-enabled device. Creating a QR code is a straightforward process, and with the help of a QR code generator like BLINK, you can do it in just a few clicks. Many QR code generators require minimal effort, yet provide useful features such as customizing QR codes with logos or allowing for bulk QR codes to be generated for multiple items simultaneously. BLINK's QR codes are connected to a short link to provide you with analytics and the ability to make changes to the destination without updating the QR code. To create the QR code, you'll simply paste the destination URL for your new QR code, and we'll generate the short link and associated QR code. Because the QR code uses a short link, the destination can be edited at any time, without breaking the QR code or having to generate a new QR code. This can be a lifesaver in print marketing. Picture this: your team is putting together a campaign for an upcoming sale. There are banners, brochures, and flyers that contain a QR code which, when scanned, takes the visitor to your sale page. When the campaign ends, the QR codes and printed marketing materials are still out in the wild. If someone scans the QR code, you want to make sure they're still directed to relevant information in hopes that you can still convert the visitor. When the sale ends, the QR code can still be used! With BLINK, you can simply update the destination URL, without breaking the QR code, and it will continue to redirect any straggling visitors to a product or category page. This way, your visitors never run into a dead-end, and your printed marketing materials are still useful well after the sale has ended. ### BLINK QR Code Templates 🎉 BLINK now offers custom [QR Code Templates](https://blink.training/QR-templates) for Enterprise plans. QR templates allow admins to customize an account-wide template to share with everyone under your organization. Customize colors, shapes, and images for a custom experience with every brand and campaign. Build consumer trust by creating QR codes that your customers will recognize, making it more likely that they will engage with your content. Boost your brand identity with a custom feel to every QR code you create and share. ## How to use QR codes to promote your brand or product QR codes can be a great way to promote your brand or product. From customizing the design of your QR code to tracking the frequency at which it's scanned, there are numerous benefits. With custom QR codes you can bring your branding to life and ensure that your customers recognize with their own eyes that it is associated with your business. Additionally, QR code marketing can open up a new world of possibilities for promotions and campaigns as they facilitate easy tracking of success rates. And with BLINK's custom QR codes, you'll be able to track how often it was scanned, where it was scanned, when it was scanned, and more. Overall, customizing your QR codes and taking advantage of their potential to track success are some simple but powerful ways to promote your brand or product. ## Benefits of using QR codes QR codes can provide a wealth of benefits to businesses and customers alike. QR code marketing is an innovative way to reach out to customers, providing them with personalized and engaging experiences. QR codes are easy to create and integrate into existing digital campaigns, allowing businesses to track customer interactions such as the number of scans, devices, locations, etc. QR codes also enable businesses to save time and money - they allow customers to quickly access product information and make smarter decisions with minimal effort on behalf of the business owner. QR codes provide increased customer engagement while streamlining the customer's journey through the shopping process. Using QR codes for marketing can create powerful and lasting relationships with customers. By providing an easy way to direct customers to relevant information, brands can build trust and loyalty, both online and offline. ## Creative ways to use QR codes QR codes have revolutionized customer engagement and marketing. They are easy to create, inexpensive to use, and can be used in an array of creative ways. QR codes can be a great tool for marketing campaigns, customer feedback surveys, and customer loyalty programs. Not only do they provide convenience but they can help bring your customer engagement ideas to life amusingly and efficiently. Whether you’re using them as a link to a giveaway, a coupon code, or providing customers with further information on your business or product - the sky's the limit! Brands can link to nutritional information on product packaging, online sales, restaurant menus, and more. If a product in-store is running low on stock, a QR code could route a visitor to the online product page for quick access to online purchasing. If you've been wondering what QR codes are and how to use them, this post was for you. You should be equipped with everything you need to get started creating and using QR codes. They offer a great way to promote your brand or product and can be used in a variety of creative ways. The benefits of using QR codes make them well worth the few clicks to set them up. Have more questions? [Let's link up](https://bl.ink/quote-blog). ### Search ### Delivering Messaging Campaigns that Click  In today’s market, standing out and being heard is on every marketer’s mind. BL.INK has compiled best practices across a number of customers to share the key elements of success that differentiate the best from the rest. [ Download ](https://www.bl.ink/magnet-messaging-campaigns-that-click) ###### Browse by category - [Link Management](https://www.bl.ink/blog/tag/link-management) - [GS1 Digital Link/2D Barcodes](https://www.bl.ink/blog/tag/gs1-digital-link-2d-barcodes) - [Connected Packaging](https://www.bl.ink/blog/tag/connected-packaging) - [QR Code](https://www.bl.ink/blog/tag/qr-code) - [Branding](https://www.bl.ink/blog/tag/branding) - [Compliance/Security](https://www.bl.ink/blog/tag/compliance-security) - [Marketing Data/Attribution](https://www.bl.ink/blog/tag/marketing-data-attribution) - [Healthcare](https://www.bl.ink/blog/tag/healthcare) - [Data Analysis/Analytics](https://www.bl.ink/blog/tag/data-analysis-analytics) - [Consumer Goods](https://www.bl.ink/blog/tag/consumer-goods) - [Retail](https://www.bl.ink/blog/tag/retail) - [Social Media](https://www.bl.ink/blog/tag/social-media) - [SMS/Messaging](https://www.bl.ink/blog/tag/sms-messaging) - [Sustainability](https://www.bl.ink/blog/tag/sustainability) ##### Subscribe to this Blog ## Related Posts [![QR codes to increase engagement](https://www.bl.ink/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Enterprise-QR-code-best-practices-to-increase-engagement-and-analytical-insights-2.png?width=352&name=Enterprise-QR-code-best-practices-to-increase-engagement-and-analytical-insights-2.png) ](https://www.bl.ink/blog/qr-codes) ### [Using QR codes to increase engagement and insights](https://www.bl.ink/blog/qr-codes) QR codes, or Quick Response codes, were originally used in the automotive industry to track... [Read More](https://www.bl.ink/blog/qr-codes) [![Real-time QR code scan and click data ](https://www.bl.ink/hs-fs/hubfs/Website%20Images/analytics-enterprise-1.png?width=352&name=analytics-enterprise-1.png) ](https://www.bl.ink/blog/unlock-the-power-of-bl.inks-qr-code-generator-with-tracking) ### [Unlock the Power of BL.INK’s QR Code Generator with Tracking](https://www.bl.ink/blog/unlock-the-power-of-bl.inks-qr-code-generator-with-tracking) In today’s data-driven world, tracking and analyzing every marketing effort is critical. With ... [Read More](https://www.bl.ink/blog/unlock-the-power-of-bl.inks-qr-code-generator-with-tracking) [![Using Dynamic Links and QR Codes to Cater to Your Audience](https://www.bl.ink/hs-fs/hubfs/dynamiclinksandqr.png?width=352&name=dynamiclinksandqr.png) ](https://www.bl.ink/blog/using-dynamic-links-and-qr-codes-to-cater-to-your-audience) ### [Using Dynamic Links and QR Codes to Cater to Your Audience](https://www.bl.ink/blog/using-dynamic-links-and-qr-codes-to-cater-to-your-audience) Did you know that you can use [BL.INK](https://bl.ink) dynamic links and QR codes to better cater to your audience –... [Read More](https://www.bl.ink/blog/using-dynamic-links-and-qr-codes-to-cater-to-your-audience) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Keven", "url" : "https://www.bl.ink/blog/author/keven" }, "dateModified" : "2024-05-28T10:46:25.796Z", "datePublished" : "2023-05-23T17:15:00.000Z", "headline" : "QR Codes: How to Get Started with Link Management - BLINK", "image" : [ "https://www.bl.ink/hubfs/Blink%20Compress%20Images/The-Beginners-Guide-to-QR-Codes.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.bl.ink/blog/the-beginners-guide-to-qr-codes", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.bl.ink/hubfs/blink-transparent-bg.png" }, "name" : "Blink Global, LLC" } } ```