How to Create a QR Code for a Link

Why Create a QR Code for a Link?

A QR code provides a quick way to access a web page from a physical or digital surface.

For example, a restaurant can place a QR code on a table that opens its online menu. An event organizer can add one to a poster that leads to the event page. A business can put a QR code on packaging that opens product instructions.

QR codes can be useful for:

• Websites and landing pages
• Online menus
• Event registration and ticket pages
• Product information
• Booking pages
• Digital forms
• Promotions and special offers
• Business cards
• Posters and flyers
• Packaging
• Printed brochures
• Presentations and digital documents

When a QR code is connected to a short link, the short link can act as the destination behind the code.

How Link QR Codes Work

A QR code does not normally contain the entire visual appearance of a website. It stores information that a scanner can read, such as a URL.

The basic process looks like this:

Website URL → Short link → QR code → Scan → Destination page

For example: https://example.com/products/summer-collection

can become: me-l.co/summer

The short link can then be converted into a QR code.

When someone scans the code, their phone opens the short link, which redirects them to the destination page.

This approach can be particularly useful for printed materials because the QR code can continue to point to the same short link even if the final destination changes.

1. Choose the Destination URL

First, decide which page you want people to access.

For example: https://example.com/event

Make sure the page works correctly and is easy to use on a mobile device.

2. Create a Short Link

Instead of using the full URL, create a short link for the destination.

For example: me-l.co/event

A short link is easier to manage and can also be used outside the QR code, such as in social posts, emails, or printed materials.

3. Generate the QR Code

Use a QR Code Generator to create a QR code from your short link.

The basic workflow is:

1. Create the short link.
2. Enter or select the short link in the QR code generator.
3. Generate the QR code.
4. Download the QR code.
5. Add it to your digital or printed material.

4. Test the QR Code

Before publishing or printing it, scan the QR code with a phone.

Check that:

• The code scans correctly.
• It opens the intended page.
• The destination works on mobile.
• The QR code is large enough to scan from the intended distance.
• The code remains readable after being placed in the design.

Testing is especially important for printed materials because correcting a QR code after printing can require replacing the entire material.

Printed Materials

QR codes are useful on:

• Flyers
• Posters
• Business cards
• Brochures
• Product packaging
• Menus
• Restaurant table cards
• Retail displays

For example, a flyer can include a QR code that leads to an event registration page.

You can also use Short Links for Printed Materials when the same destination needs to be shared both offline and online.

Events

Event organizers can place QR codes on posters, tickets, banners, or promotional materials.

A code might lead to: me-l.co/event

which opens the event information or registration page. If the event details change, an editable short link can allow the destination to be updated without creating a completely new QR code.

Restaurants and Hospitality

A QR code can provide quick access to:

• Digital menus
• Reservation pages
• Special offers
• Customer feedback forms
• Restaurant websites

For example:

Scan to view the menu

→ QR code

→ me-l.co/menu

Product Packaging

Businesses can use QR codes to connect packaging with online information.

For example:

Scan for product instructions

→ QR code

→ me-l.co/instructions

The same QR code can remain on the packaging while the destination page is updated when necessary.

Example: Tracking a Printed Campaign

Imagine that a business distributes 1,000 flyers with a QR code.

The QR code points to: me-l.co/promo

The short link leads to the promotion page. After distributing the flyers, you can monitor activity on the short link to see whether people are scanning and opening the linked content.

This can help you evaluate whether the printed campaign is generating online engagement.

Use Separate Links for Different QR Codes

If you use QR codes in several locations, consider creating a separate short link for each placement.

For example:

• me-l.co/store — in-store poster
• me-l.co/flyer — printed flyer
• me-l.co/package — product packaging
• me-l.co/event — event poster

Each QR code can then point to a different short link, even if all of them ultimately lead to the same website. This makes it easier to compare activity between placements.

Why Use a Short Link Behind a QR Code?

Using a short link as the destination of a QR code provides an additional layer of flexibility.

Without an editable short link, changing the destination may require creating and replacing the QR code.

With an editable short link, the QR code can remain the same while the destination changes.

For example:

QR code → me-l.co/menu

Initially: → example.com/menu-summer

Later: → example.com/menu-autumn

The QR code does not need to be reprinted because it still points to the same short link.

This can be particularly useful for posters, packaging, business cards, and other materials that remain in circulation for a long time.