What are Smart QR Codes (& How to Create them)

QR Codes do a great job redirecting users to content with a simple scan on their mobile devices. But what if we told you that they’ve evolved to go beyond just redirection?

Let’s say you’re an Airbnb host who also offers a detailed itinerary to guests. The guests check in, scan the QR Code, and get redirected to that day’s activities. On the second day, they scan the same QR Code and see a different set of activities. 

In this case, the same QR Code redirects to different content based on the date they scan it. But how does that work?

Cue: smart QR Codes. They go further to offer a personalized user experience by triggering different actions based on pre-defined rules. Imagine content redirection, but varied, based on the time of the day, the number of scans, or any rule you set.

Learn what smart QR Codes are, how to create one, and how businesses can use them. 

Table of contents

1. What is a smart QR Code?
2. Smart QR Code: rules you can deploy
3. How to create a smart QR Code?
4. Smart QR Codes: Which rules can you apply?
5. Best practices to create and deploy a smart QR Code
6. Frequently asked questions

What is a Smart QR Code?

A smart QR Code is a dynamic QR Code that responds based on specific rules. For example, you can set it to redirect to a coupon in the first scan and a “you’ve already viewed the coupon” message for subsequent scans. This is just one example.  

Compared to traditional QR Codes that lead users to a static destination, smart QR Codes are dynamic and go a step ahead. You can not just redirect users to fixed content but provide a dynamic interaction with varied content based on the time of the day, number of scans, or the smart rule of your choice.

Smart QR Codes: rules you can deploy

How to create a smart QR Code

The first step is to use Uniqode’s QR Code generator, which offers smart QR Codes.

Step 1: Log-in to the Uniqode dashboard 

Once you log-in, click “+Create”. 

Step 2: Choose “Smart Rules” as the campaign and set the rules  

To create a smart QR Code, choose single or multiple rules per your use case. For this example, let’s consider a five-day travel itinerary. You can assign a smart rule where the QR Code can lead to that specific day’s activities based on the day it’s scanned on.

To do so, we recommend having a separate document or a list for each day’s activities. Copy and paste the URL of the file or document you want to share.

Once done, you can choose the smart rule as “day” and insert the date and the link for that particular day’s activities. 

You can continue to do the same for the rest of the days on the travel itinerary.

Step 3: Customize the smart QR Code

Here’s how you can customize the QR Code as per your branding and to ensure scannability:

1. Customize the eyes and the eye shape
2. Customize the data pattern, change its color, or add a gradient
3. Go for a color background, add an image, or keep it transparent
4. Add a QR Code border 
5. Add a CTA that provides a preview of where the QR Code leads to

Step 4: Download the smart QR Code

You can download the smart QR Code in the format of your choice. For printed materials, we recommend formats such as PNG and JPG. For materials that require resizing or digital screens, go for high-quality QR Code formats such as SVG and EPS. 

Smart QR Codes: Which rules can you apply?

You can redirect your audience to different content based on the “rule” you apply. You can apply one or multiple rules and ensure a smooth, personalized experience for your audience. 

Here’s an overview of the smart rules you can apply using the Uniqode dashboard:

1. Time-based rules for restaurant menus

Imagine a restaurant using a smart QR Code to showcase its menu based on the time of day. In the morning, customers scanning the code see the breakfast menu, transitioning to the lunch menu in the afternoon and the dinner menu in the evening. After closing hours, the smart QR Code can display a message or a landing page indicating the restaurant is closed. 

2. Country-based rules for global campaigns

Global campaigns can utilize smart QR Codes to redirect users to language-specific websites based on their country. 

Say, for instance, you can set the QR Code to redirect users to a localized version of the content based on the scanner’s GPS or IP settings. 

If you’ve launched a global campaign, you can use one QR Code for several markets.  Someone scanning the QR Code in France could see the content in French; someone scanning from the US could see the content in English. But the QR Code remains the same! 

3. Scan number-based rules for limited-time campaigns

Time-limited campaigns with QR Codes work best when the redirected content matches the theme. You can assign a “smart rule” restricting access after a certain number of scans. 

For instance, on a Black Friday campaign, you could assign the smart rule to lead the first 100 scanners to an exclusive discount page or lucky draw. Any scan after the set smart rule can lead to a page indicating the campaign’s end. 

4. Unique user scans for coupon distribution

Smart QR Codes can redirect to unique coupons for every new user who scans, making it a personalized experience. 

Businesses can track the effectiveness of their campaigns by monitoring the redemption rates of these personalized coupons.

For example, a brand running a giveaway can create unique coupon codes for a limited number of winners. While creating the smart QR Code, set the rule to “unique user scan”. In this case, every winner who scans the QR Code receives a unique coupon code. This way, a single QR Code can provide a personalized experience for each user.  

5. Device language for personalized forms

You can tailor user experience by creating multi-language forms based on your target audience and using the “device language” smart rule. 

You can redirect users to specific forms based on the language settings on their device. For instance, users whose device is set to Spanish will see the form in that language, and so on. This ensures that users interact with forms in a preferred language, thus improving overall engagement. 

6. Device OS for app promotion

You can employ smart QR Codes to redirect users to the respective app stores (Apple App Store or Google Play Store) based on their device’s operating system. 

This is particularly useful for promoting and increasing app downloads, where you can use a single QR Code to redirect them to download the app.

Let’s say you’re promoting your app, which is available on the App Store and the Play Store. Rather than create two separate QR Codes, you can assign the smart rule as “Device OS”  while creating a smart QR Code. When customers scan the smart QR Code, they are led to either the App Store or Play Store based on their device OS. 

7. Location-based rules for store-specific campaigns

Businesses with multiple locations, such as cafes or retail stores, can deploy a single QR Code across all stores. 

The QR Code dynamically redirects to location-specific content, such as discount codes, based on where the user is scanning from. 

Brands can then analyze coupon redemptions based on location and assess which stores or locations perform best.

8. Passcode for team-specific content

Engage teams in scavenger hunts or team-building activities by using a single QR Code that leads to different content based on the passcode entered. 

Each team’s unique passcode unlocks specific content, such as activities for the day or the hidden objects they may have to find at a scavenger hunt, encouraging collaboration and competition.

Besides, businesses can also use this to share team or project-specific content in workspaces or use it for secure, online collaboration and sharing materials. 

9. User Age for tailored menus

Restaurants can personalize menus based on the user’s age. For instance, a scan from a user who inputs their kid’s age as under 10 may view a kids’ special menu at your restaurant. 

On the other hand, a scan from an adult user who inputs their age as 25 may view a menu with age-appropriate offerings, which could include alcoholic beverages.

Best practices to create and deploy a Smart QR Code

Creating smart QR Codes requires ensuring scannability and proper content redirection at all times. Here’s a practical checklist to follow that can help create effective smart QR Codes: 

Why choose Uniqode to create smart QR Codes

Smart QR Codes represent a significant leap forward in QR Code technology, going a step beyond what dynamic QR Codes offer. The ability to redirect content based on the applied rules is a powerful tool to enhance user engagement and provide personalized experiences. 

Businesses can strategically implement rules based on time, location, user behavior, and more to unlock user responses across diverse industries.

With Uniqode’s smart QR Codes, you can:

1. Customize your rules—one or many
2. Derive scan data from your campaigns, or use third party tools such as Google Analytics
3. Have a secure experience throughout with SOC® 2 and GDPR compliance

Given the possibilities, smart QR Codes will soon set out to be an indispensable tool in the world of personalized marketing and customer engagement. 

Curious about how to create a QR Code that redirects content as per your rules? Create your first smart QR Code here 👇

Frequently asked questions

1. What is a smart QR Code?

Unlike static QR Codes, smart QR Codes allow you to redirect your audience to varied content based on the smart rules applied via a single QR Code.

2. How do I create a smart QR Code?

Creating a smart QR Code is easy with Uniqode’s QR Code generator. You can do it in 5 steps:

1. Login or sign up to the Uniqode dashboard
2. Click “+create” and “QR Codes”
3. Choose “Smart rules” as your campaign
4. Enter the rules based on time, day, number of scans, etc, and paste the content link to be redirected to, accordingly
5. Customize the smart QR Code
6. Download the smart QR Code in the format of your choice

• Author Details

Author Details

Navya Muralidhar

Navya is an ardent writer focusing on the benefits of QR Codes for businesses. She has been writing about QR Code topics into action oriented guides since 2019. Presently, she helps people understand the benefits of paid QR Code solutions as a powerful marketing tool. To know more about her work around QR Codes, click here.

navya.m@beaconstac.com