Posters, flyers, packaging, restaurant menus, shop windows: QR codes are everywhere. Yet, many QR codes are poorly designed, impossible to edit, and impossible to track. The solution? Generate them from a short link. Here is why.
Why associate a QR code with a short link?
A QR code encodes a web address. The longer the address, the denser, more complex, and harder to scan the QR code pattern becomes. By encoding a short link, you get a cleaner, more readable QR code that is faster to scan, even on small media or with an average-quality camera.
However, the main advantage lies elsewhere: the short link is dynamic. The QR code never changes, but its destination can be updated at any time.
The 4 advantages of the short link + QR code duo
1. A QR code that can be edited after printing
Have you printed 5,000 flyers and the landing page has changed? With a QR code linked to a short link, you just need to update the destination. The materials already distributed remain useful.
2. Scan tracking
Every scan goes through the short link and is therefore tracked: number of scans, date, approximate location, device type. You can finally measure the effectiveness of print media, which is usually very difficult.
3. A more reliable QR code
Less data to encode means fewer reading errors. Your QR code performs better in real-world conditions: low light, small print size, slightly damaged surface.
4. Controlled brand image
With a custom domain, the underlying link displays your brand. Combined with a branded QR code featuring your company colors and logo, you build trust at the moment of scanning.
How to create a QR code from a short link
- Create your short link by pasting the destination URL.
- Generate the QR code from your dashboard, linked to that URL.
- Customize it: colors, central logo, module shapes.
- Download it preferably in SVG or high-resolution PNG.
- Test it on multiple smartphones before printing.
Best practices for an effective QR code
Concrete use cases
Conclusion
A standalone QR code is a dead end once printed. Combined with a URL shortener, it becomes a flexible, measurable, and durable tool. It is the guarantee that you will never waste printed media.
Try it out: create a short link and its custom QR code for free on RWZ.
