Overly dense QR codes are difficult to scan, especially at a distance. So here’s a pro tip to give your visitors a better experience and faster, more reliable scanning: first remove all unnecessary text and info from your link before you create a QR code for it.
You can even shorten it further by using a URL shortener before creating your QR codes. The generated code will contain less information and can be read instantly, easily and reliably by scanners.
Here’s a real-world example from a local mall. This QR code embeds nearly 250 characters of text.
Now compare the above dense mess, which was nearly impossible for my phone to scan, to the alternatives below, which of which land at the exact same webpage. You might even notice they advertise “qualspringsmall.com/hours”, which is even shorter than this cleaned link below — it’s always a good idea to use the smallest possible link (shortest amount of data to encode) when creating a QR code.
Think of it this way: the more info, the smaller the dots, the closer the code becomes to just looking like static noise to your camera.
Better: Cleaned Up Link (75% less data embedded, faster to scan). A user who scanned this code would have an easier time and still land on the exact same webpage. However, the business owner in this situation might lose out from some tracking info like recording that the web page visitor arrived by visiting a link shown on holiday seasonal signage, so consider the even better next option.
Best: Shortened Link (92% less data embedded, fastest and most reliable to scan). The benefit of a short link is it stays short no matter how long the destination URL is. If the extra parameters in the original URL used for labeling the visitor traffic as originating from holiday seasonal signage is necessary, this is your win-win option. The code will be easy for any QR scanner to recognize and read near instantly without delay or camera focusing issues, and the company loses nothing because the destination URL still includes all the tracking codes they desired.
You can shorten a URL into a small redirect link using free services like Bit.ly (numerous exist). I even installed one on my website so you might see me use links like cmdrkeene.com/r/gwg (that redirects to the Xbox “Games with Gold” website).
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