5 Ways Small Businesses Actually Use QR Codes (That Work)

QR codes had a rough start. Remember when everyone said they were dead? Then the pandemic hit, and suddenly every restaurant had one on the table.

But here's the thing—most businesses still use them wrong. They slap a QR code on a flyer that links to their homepage and call it a day. That's not useful for anyone.

Let me show you what actually works.

1. Restaurant Menus (Done Right)

You've seen the basic version: scan code, see PDF menu. Boring.

The smart move? Link to a page that shows today's specials at the top. Update it weekly. Add photos of your best dishes. Some restaurants even show wait times.

One coffee shop I know changes their QR destination based on time of day—morning shows breakfast items, afternoon shows lunch. Same code, different content.

2. Business Cards That Don't Get Thrown Away

Physical business cards end up in a drawer or trash. We all know it.

Put a QR code on the back that links to your vCard. When someone scans it, your contact info saves directly to their phone. No typing, no lost cards.

Even better: link to a simple landing page with your photo, contact buttons, and recent work. Makes you memorable.

3. Product Packaging

This one's underused. Print a small QR code on your product packaging that links to:

• Setup instructions or tutorials
• Registration for warranty
• Reorder page (for consumables)
• Customer support

A local hot sauce company puts QR codes on their bottles linking to recipe ideas using their sauce. Simple, useful, and keeps customers coming back.

4. Event Check-ins

Skip the paper sign-in sheets. Generate a QR code that links to a Google Form or simple check-in page.

Attendees scan, enter their info, done. You get a clean spreadsheet instead of trying to read handwriting.

Works for:

• Workshops and classes
• Networking events
• Appointment confirmations
• Visitor logs

5. WiFi Sharing

This is my favorite because it's so simple. Create a QR code with your WiFi credentials embedded. Guests scan it and connect automatically—no asking for the password, no spelling it out letter by letter.

Perfect for:

• Cafes and restaurants
• Airbnb rentals
• Office guest networks
• Retail stores

Most QR generators (including ours) have a WiFi option built in. Just enter your network name, password, and security type.

Quick Tips

Size matters. A QR code on a billboard needs to be huge. One on a business card can be small. Rule of thumb: the scanning distance in inches divided by 10 equals minimum size in inches.

Test before printing. Scan your QR code with multiple phones before you print 500 flyers. Different cameras handle low contrast differently.

Don't over-design. Those fancy QR codes with logos in the middle? They work, but simpler codes scan faster and more reliably. Save the fancy stuff for when aesthetics matter more than function.

Track your results. Use a URL shortener that shows click stats, or link to a specific landing page you can monitor. Otherwise you're guessing whether anyone scans them.

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The key with QR codes isn't the technology—it's giving people a reason to scan. If the destination isn't useful, the code is just decoration.

Start with one use case that solves an actual problem for your customers. Get that working, then expand.