From fast, easy payments to interactive marketing campaigns, QR codes for businesses can be a game-changer. They have helped revolutionise the way merchants interact with their customers, opening the door to a new level of connectivity.
But first, what is a QR code? A Quick Response code, commonly known as a QR code, is a type of digital code used to store or link information. It's like a label that can only be read by a machine. Businesses use QR codes for everything from tracking inventory to streamlining transactions to creating links that customers can scan for more information.
If that sounds like the regular barcodes you're used to seeing on the back of packaging, you're right. But while the familiar UPC (Universal Product Code) barcode can only be read horizontally, QR codes are read both horizontally and vertically, which allows a QR code to store more information than a regular barcode.
In this guide, we’ll break down the basics of this powerful tool, from how it works to how to set up QR codes for payments.
A QR code may look like a random mix of scribbles and black-and-white squares, but each slice contains several layers of information. When scanned with a compatible app, all that information gets put together in the right order for the code to be read, and the square markings in the corners of a QR code tell an app the orientation of the code.
But how do you scan a QR code? There is no right or wrong way. Customers can scan the code from any angle without worrying that it will be read backward. Alignment markings embedded in the code tell the app if the surface the code is printed on is flat or curved so the app can "straighten" out the code to read it correctly.
If you've noticed that QR codes have a space surrounding the square, you may be surprised to learn that space is considered part of the code. It's called the quiet zone, and it's there to help the smartphone app recognise where the code stops.
From sending emails to accepting payments, QR codes can be used for various purposes. First, it’s important to understand that there are two different types of QR codes:
No matter the type, QR codes can store all types of information, including (but not limited to):
With QR codes, you can start accepting contactless payments in just a few minutes, all without physically handling cash, signing receipts, or even interacting face-to-face.
So how does a customer use this little checkerboard box to pay for something? Because a QR code can hold far more information than a barcode, it can be safely connected to payment processors like PayPal. Once scanned, customers are sent directly to your payment portal from their smartphones.
Here’s a quick breakdown on how it works: QR codes for payments encode payment information, such as a merchant’s account details. Customers can then use their smartphones to scan this QR code, which is generated by the business or payment service provider. The scanning process allows the payment app to decode the information and initiate the transaction, enabling swift and convenient cashless payments.
There are many benefits of QR code payments, such as:
Ready to start using QR codes for payments? When shopping in person, paying via QR code can be as simple as clearly displaying the code and allowing customers to scan it with their phone’s camera and pay via an online payment processing portal or an app like PayPal.
Here's a quick step-by-step guide on how to get a QR code for your business and accept QR payments with PayPal:
When selecting a QR code payment solution provider, consider these key factors:
Setting up a QR code is relatively simple and quick. It doesn’t require any special hardware or scanners, making it easier to use compared to other touch-free payment types. The first step is to create a QR code for payment. If you already have a PayPal Business account, log in here. If not, you can get your PayPal QR code here.
Payment security is often top of mind for merchants. Here are some best practices for secure payments when using QR codes:
With QR codes, you can start accepting contactless payments in just a few minutes.
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