How to make the most of QR codes to connect with consumers
BL.INK QR codes are editable—forever
QR codes have quickly become an easy way to deliver messages to an audience. Scan a code on a bottle of Coca-Cola or a box of cereal to discover nutritional information, marketing campaigns, and even sweepstakes. The smart phone-enabled world can now interact with signage, packaging, print media, and more—with a simple scan and click. And as GS1 2D barcodes come on board, watch for QR codes to deliver information including product SKUs, price scanning, instructions for patients, recall and warranty notifications, and much more.
Once a QR code is out in the wild, there's no reining it in—it must be managed forever. You never want someone to scan your code and end up at a broken link.
BL.INK is built to solve this problem. When you link a QR code to a BL.INK shortened link, you can change the longer destination link at any time. And BL.INK QR codes last forever, we keep your data forever, and we give you an intuitive platform to manage your links far into the future.
Here's how BL.INK helps you avoid dead ends, protect your brand, and manage QR codes for the long haul.
How do I create and customize QR codes with a short link?
BL.INK automatically generates a QR code for each link created. When you go into the BL.INK platform, input your long destination link, add your parameters, and click "Save." You'll see your short link and QR codes in the next screen.
When you click "Download," you'll automatically receive a .zip file with the QR code in PNG, EPS, and SVG formats, ready to send directly to your design team or tool.
The QR code will point to your short link.
How do BL.INK shortened URLs improve QR code longevity?
Typically, QR codes are printed. Whether you’re using them on print ads, mailers, brochures, or product packaging, once the QR code has been printed, it’s around indefinitely—at least until all the printed materials are gone for good, which you can't always control.
If you use a complicated long link for your QR code, the link is likely to change or break at some point, then you could have a QR code that would lead to a dead link. You'll have to reprint the asset with a new QR code, which is costly. But having dead-end QR codes means you'll disappoint a customer at some point.
Or let's say that 10 years from now, your company gets bought by another company, or the product name changes. Even if you have used a relatively generic URL, like https://www.yourcompany.com, that link may not live on forever. The marketing team 20 years from now may think it's okay to retire that domain.
This is why you need BL.INK.
With BL.INK, everything is editable. Everything.
Since the QR code is tied to the short link, the longer destination link can be changed at any time, in seconds. Because you used "https://www.br.and/chunky" instead of "https://www.br.and/chunky-peanut-butter/?utm_source=website&utm_term=homepage&utm_medium=network," you can easily point "br.and/chunky" to any other page. Never worry about dead ends from zombie QR codes again.
The short link and the QR code stays the same, even if the final destination changes. This means that the QR code you have printed on potentially millions of items will not have to be reprinted.
Imagine seeing QR codes on durable goods like refrigerators or cars. Scanning the code could lead you to installation instructions, warranty information, recalls, and promotions. As a manufacturer using BL.INK, you could gather appliance location, device used for scanning, preferred language, and much more.
BL.INK QR codes can last forever. We never discard your data.
Can QR codes deliver unique experiences based on user preferences?
BL.INK offers dynamic links that allow you to route your customers to a different destination based on day, date, time, language, location, and/or device.
Coupled with QR codes, dynamic links are extremely powerful and flexible, delivering the right content to the individual on the other side of the scan.
For example, if a customer in France scans the same QR code as a customer in the US, the person in France may see a page in French with information relevant to France. You can set these rules directly in BL.INK"s platform.
You can also set time-based rules, so if one campaign ends, the QR code will now redirect to a new campaign, so your customer never hits a dead end.
BL.INK enables optimal tracking and analysis
Since BL.INK uses short links for the QR codes, the analytics are all available within the BL.INK dashboard. You can view analytics for a specific link or for a group of links.
We offer click (or scan) data for clicks by day, by hour, and by location down to the city level. BL.INK also offers device information so you can easily tell which device a customer is using when they click your link or scan your QR code.
All BL.INK analytics are in real time and can be accessed from the BL.INK dashboard or via the API.
Can I create branded QR codes with BL.INK?
BL.INK Enterprise clients can customize QR codes with colors, logos, and styling to fit your branding guidelines.
Since QR codes are tied to short links, this offers another opportunity to showcase your brand. When a customer scans a QR code, they’ll immediately see the domain in the preview. It’s important that the domain matches their expectations so that they trust the link and click through.
When your customers see and recognize the link, they’re more likely to click through and view the content on the other side of the QR code, and they trust that the link is not shady or malicious. Using a branded domain helps to build and maintain your customers’ trust and boosts engagement with your links.
Ready to get started with BL.INK QR codes?
With fully editable short URLs behind every BL.INK QR code, your QR codes will reliably provide great user experiences for decades to come. QR codes are included with all of our link management packages. Get pricing and start your free trial today. Interested in more customized approaches, including custom QR codes and dynamic links? Request a quote for BL.INK Enterprise and let's talk.
Read branded URL success stories
BL.INK customers have amazing stories. We are honored to share some of their successes here.
Trusted By Thousands
Our customers create hundreds of millions of links - and every one is important. You will find BL.INK links on grocery shelves, mobile devices, table tops, ad platforms, mailers, social networks, and messaging platforms around the world. No matter your audience, BL.INK connects. Read more reviews here.
"Dynamic links generation is my favourite feature. You can easily create one link and depending on information collected from the user, time, device used, language... You can redirect him to a different location depending on your needs. Bl.ink also keep some parameters you could need in the url."
Read full review on G2
Eric B.
International Business Development
Monica M.
"We are in a highly regulated industry, and finding a service that was able to meet or exceed our InfoSec security questions *as well as* provides easy-to-use features seemed like it was going to be a bit of a lost cause, but Bl.ink is a bit of a unicorn!" Read full review on G2
Brian G.
BL.INK “..integrated into our Spredfast social efforts seamlessly, giving us branded links and enhanced tracking at a great value. They are also consistently reliable with high quality product and customer service. It is the solution we needed.”
Scott Carrington
Digital Marketing, Patagonia
"BL.INK helps us to brand all our short URLs across different channels. It helps track content performance and engagement across different channels for different content types. Helps Track, Manage and Modify a wide range of links that could easily become a complex task for enterprise customers in no time." Read full review on G2
Vijay S.
Digital Marketing Manager
Company size: Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)
"We are able to track our web traffic that is directly attributed to social media campaigns. This was a gap for us in the past so this has been a huge help in proving our team’s impact. We also have integrated Blink into our Adobe Analytics so we can track even further data." Read full review on G2
Gabby M.
Social Media Manager
Company size: Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)
"Using BL.INK, we can easily create branded website links, that over time, help build trust in the quality and value of the content we share. Advanced features like dynamic links and promo badges are useful. I especially appreciate that BL.INK is very client focused, and the team eagerly listens to our business needs and offers innovative solutions." Read full review on G2
Joe C.
Director, Digital Content Strategy, UnitedHealthcare Brand Marketing
“From the start, they’ve been nothing but helpful and accommodating. No problem was too big or small, with a constant friendly and warm response to all the queries we have had throughout implementation. Great service and a real contender to the other services out there.”
Tom Reid
Software Integration Analyst, Yorkshire Water
"Any company needs to manage the links in their domains. There are countless URL shortening tools today; however, not many tools have the required level of flexibility like the right tracking parameters, attribution, and campaign insights. Thanks to BL.INK, I can direct leads to the right place at the right time (by day, date, time, geography, device, and language). A must-have tool for any company looking to increase reach and engagement." Read full review on G2
Hobin K.
Marketing Manager
"Blink is super helpful for any time I need a link shortened. It's also great it keeps a record of all my links & can set up tracking for campaigns, which makes it super easy to track many different campaigns at once!" Read full review on G2
Rory B.
CyberSecuritiesUK
“.. allows us to easily measure the conversions for links distributed via our social platforms.”
Kenton Olson
Director of Digital & Emerging Media, Seattle Seahawks & Sounders FC
BL.INK enables our team to..."include a link in promotional materials that we can change once the link is created. Additionally, when we have a problem with a hyperlink, we can change the redirect without having to re-distribute the link to clients, customers, or employees." Read full review on G2
Neil T.
Marketing Manager
“They’ve allowed our organization to better track and analyze engagement on social media. The team has been accessible, responsive and more than accommodating for special requests, feedback and support.”
Lauren Fox
Social Media Manager, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics