A QR code is a quick and easy way to connect your offline audience with online content. Consider using them on marketing materials, business cards, and more! Here is a step-by-step tutorial for creating a new QR code in Canva.
What is a QR Code? Why Should I Use Them in My Marketing?
QR codes are “quick response codes.” History has it that QR codes were generated in the early 90s to label car parts with their own product code. Today, they’re used on offline marketing materials like flyers, business cards, and in-store stands by cash registers to encourage users to head online.
As a marketing mama, you can integrate a QR code into whatever physical marketing material you would normally place a link to. Instead of asking someone to type out your website, consider printing a QR code. Instead of advertising links to your social media sites, consider downloading a QR code to your phone so a business prospect can scan it and be sent directly to your social media page. A shop page would also be a great link to integrate into a QR code.
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How Do I Use QR Codes?
QR codes are very simple to use.
In any smartphone, open your camera and hover your camera over the QR code. When your camera recognizes the QR code, you’ll be prompted to head to whatever link is embedded in the QR code.
You can embed affiliate links, contact information, a landing page, phone numbers, social media profiles, and other business material in a QR code.
For the purposes of this blog post, we will be pointing our offline audience to online, digital content.
In your own marketing, imagine what your target audience would need and use links that would point them to that.
However, even though this is a convenient method for those with a smartphone, it does limit your ability to reach people who do not have a smartphone.
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How to Create a FREE, Custom QR Code in Canva
Let’s create a QR code for some social media posts!
I want you to think of a facet of your business you want to promote. Maybe you’re trying to drive a following to your Pinterest page. Maybe you’re trying to promote a product you’re selling. Go to that facet of your business and copy that link into a notes section on your phone or computer.
My favorite, FREE design tool is Canva. If you don’t have a Canva account, you can create a free one (please note: I use the paid version of Canva (called Canva Pro), where I pay a monthly subscription. If any advice listed in this blog post deviates from something you’re seeing on the free Canva account, please be aware the information in this blog post wasn’t intended to be misleading.)
Step-by-Step Instructions – How To Create a QR Code in Canva
1 – When you are in Canva, I want you to hit “Create a design.” Select “Custom size” and create an image 1080 pixels wide by 1080 pixels high since those are the dimensions for standard Instagram posts.
2 – When you are in your design, you will navigate to the editor’s panel to the left.
3 – Scroll to “Apps” and select “QR Code.” This is Canva’s built-in QR code generator.
4 – Paste the QR code into the URL box and hit “generate code.” On your blank canvas, your QR code will appear! This is a unique QR code specific to your link. However, it will not generate a transparent background. Your QR code will have a white background you can edit.
5 – Prior to putting the finishing touches on your design, I want you to scan the QR code with your smartphone camera and verify that it does in fact drive traffic to the link you intended. If it doesn’t, simply verify your link is correct and generate another QR code.
6 – Put the finishing touches on your overall design.
7 – To change the white background color of your QR code to match your Instagram post, navigate back to “QR code” under the editor’s panel. Hit the “customize” drop-down. Adjust the background color manually or paste your HEX code for your exact color code.
8 – Want to create a QR code for a PDF file that you will print as a flyer? Simply open another design in Canva and adjust the dimensions of your project. Don’t forget to change your design from pixels to inches! You can also use a Canva template. Just search “flyer” in the Canva home search bar.
Canva truly is a great tool for the beginner marketing mama.
Polishing Up Your Design
When you’ve finished your design in Canva, I’d encourage you to scan your QR code again. This extra step will make sure there are no design elements layered over or under your QR code that will prohibit a seamless scan.
If you aren’t a naturally gifted designer, take advantage of Canva templates! There are so many to choose from. Canva also lets you plug and play your color codes, images, and more.
But What About a Transparent Background?
Here’s why I’m not diving into how to create a transparent background on a QR code.
Sometimes simple is enough for your marketing efforts.
Do you need a transparent background? Or is the green monster on your back telling you you need to do more?
You should also consider the advanced features that would be necessary to get a transparent background. And let’s be real – we’re all busy mamas trying to promote our businesses!
Let’s focus on creating simple, visual content that speaks to our intended audience and drives business.
Need Tools to Get Started?
This camera is an upgraded version of the camera I use. Learning to use a camera is an incredible tool to add to your tool belt!
An external hard drive will help you store all of your graphics and raw images.
A tripod is a great investment, especially if you’re creating your content!
Programs That I Love
These are the programs I use to help me grow my blog. Please note – these are affiliate links! That means I make a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Square – Affiliate Link
If you sell physical products as I do, you need a simple solution to having an online store and a way to accept different forms of payment. Because cash is great, but cards are convenient! I found a solution to all of those with Square.
Now don’t get me wrong – the website took some getting used to. But whenever I file a ticket, I always see a resolution within a day or two. The Square team is quick to help me find solutions and troubleshoot whatever issues I’m having! I can manage pick-up locations, online listings, and more with my Square account. Use my affiliate link to get your Square store started and we both get rewarded for using the platform!
*This is my account with my backyard homesteading blog, The Learning Life. I launched a line of beeswax beauty products in July 2023 and have been able to process all of my sales with Square!
RankIQ – Affiliate Link
As a blogger, the name of the game is search engine optimization (SEO) and keyword research. What’s the use in a blog chock full of helpful information if there’s no way to find it?! And as a busy mom, we both know that I don’t have time to waste.
Enter in – Rank IQ.
RankIQ is an artificial intelligence-driven keyword research service that focuses on just that – keywords. Other keyword research services will highlight data that isn’t helpful or necessary to a blog. We need to know how to rank, and RankIQ gives me the information I need to achieve that goal. Did I mention it was developed by a man who became a millionaire himself via his blogs? These are tried and true methods.
If you’re interested in creating a blog and want to get a jump start on ranking on Google, I highly recommend Rank IQ. When you use my affiliate link, you directly support my business. Thank you for supporting Homemaker and Happy!
Convert Kit – Affiliate Link
There are several email services out there. My favorite is Convert Kit.
In the beginning, your pricing is free for up to 1,000 subscribers. From there, the price changes per month based on what your goal for your blog is.
When you use my affiliate link, you directly support my business. Thank you for supporting Homemaker and Happy!
How Do You Handle Your Marketing?
Thanks to the help of Canva, we can have access to incredible resources at an affordable price. From ease of use to all of the Canva Pro features, I can’t recommend this design program enough!
I also recommend you check out all my other blog posts on marketing! You can find those under my Side Hustles tab.
For even more side hustles inspiration, follow me on Pinterest!
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