Help & User Guide
Everything you need to know to get the most out of QR Code 42
Quick Start Guide
Get up and running in 3 simple steps
Documentation Contents
Creating QR Codes
Step-by-step guide to creating your first QR code
Navigate to QR Codes
Click on "QR Codes" in the left sidebar, then click the "Create QR Code" button.
Tip: You can also use the quick create form on your dashboard.
Enter Your Destination URL
Type or paste the web address where you want people to go when they scan the QR code.
https://instagram.com/yourusername
https://maps.google.com/?q=Your+Business
Choose Your QR Code Type
Select the type of content your QR code will contain:
Link to any website
Digital business card
One-scan WiFi access
Restaurant digital menu
Customize Your Design
Make your QR code match your brand:
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Colors: Choose foreground and background colors
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Dot Style: Square, rounded, or dots
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Eye Pattern: Customize the corner squares
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Logo: Add your brand logo in the center Creator+
Save and Download
Click "Generate QR Code" and download your QR code:
Important: Test Before Printing
Always test your QR code with multiple devices and QR readers before printing thousands of copies!
QR Code Types
Understanding different QR code formats and use cases
URL / Website
All tiersLinks to any website or web page.
- • Marketing campaigns
- • Product information pages
- • Event registrations
- • Online stores
vCard
Creator+Digital business card that adds your contact info to their phone.
- • Name, title, company
- • Phone, email, website
- • Address
- • Social media links
WiFi Network
Creator+Automatically connects phones to your WiFi network.
- • Coffee shops & restaurants
- • Hotels & Airbnbs
- • Offices & coworking spaces
- • Events & conferences
Smart Menu
Business+Interactive digital menu for restaurants and cafes.
- • Real-time menu updates
- • Item photos & descriptions
- • Multiple sections/categories
- • Mobile-optimized design
Short Links
Create branded, trackable short URLs
What are Short Links?
Short links transform long, ugly URLs into clean, memorable links that are easier to share and track.
https://yourstore.com/products/category/summer-collection/item-12345?utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=summer2024
qrcode42.com/summer
How to Create a Short Link
Go to Short Links in the sidebar
Paste your long URL in the Destination URL field
Choose a custom slug (the end part of the URL) or let us generate one
Click Create Short Link and start sharing!
Advanced Features
Set start and end dates for your links. Perfect for limited-time promotions!
See exactly how many people clicked, when, and from where.
Landing Pages (Link-in-Bio)
Create mobile-optimized pages with multiple links
What is a Landing Page?
A landing page is a simple, mobile-friendly page where you can showcase multiple links in one place. Perfect for Instagram bio, business cards, or any situation where you can only share one link.
Popular Use Cases
- Instagram bio link
- Business card QR code
- Email signature links
- Conference materials
- Product packaging
- Event promotions
Creating Your First Landing Page
Add your page title, description, and profile picture. This is what visitors see first!
Click "Add Link" and enter the title and URL for each button.
Choose your theme, colors, and button styles to match your brand.
Save your page and copy the URL to share anywhere!
Tracking Performance
Every landing page includes built-in analytics:
Analytics & Tracking
Understanding your QR code performance
What Gets Tracked?
Every time someone scans your QR code or clicks your short link, we capture:
See when people are most active
City and country of scans
Mobile, tablet, or desktop
Which app or browser was used
Accessing Your Analytics
Using Analytics to Improve Results
Create different QR codes for print ads, TV commercials, and business cards. See which performs best!
See when people scan most. Adjust your advertising schedule accordingly.
Know exactly how many people engaged with each campaign. Calculate your return on investment!
Custom Domains
Use your own branded domain for links
What is a Custom Domain?
Instead of using qrcode42.com/your-link,
you can use your own domain like go.yourbrand.com/your-link
Benefits:
- Increase brand trust and recognition
- Look more professional
- Consistent branding across all materials
- Higher click-through rates
Setup Instructions
Pick a subdomain to use (e.g., go.yourdomain.com, link.yourdomain.com, or qr.yourdomain.com)
Go to Custom Domains and click "Add Domain". Enter your subdomain and we'll provide DNS settings.
Log into your domain registrar (GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.) and add the DNS records we provide.
Name: go (or your subdomain)
Value: cname.qrcode42.com
Click "Verify" in QR Code 42. Once verified, all your links can use your custom domain!
Be patient! Your domain will work once DNS changes propagate globally.
Team Management
Collaborate with your team
Inviting Team Members
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1
Go to the Team page from the sidebar
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2
Click Invite Team Member
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3
Enter their email address and select their role
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4
They'll receive an email invitation to join your team
Team Roles
Can do everything, including billing and deleting the account
Can manage QR codes, links, and team members (except billing)
Can create and edit QR codes and links, view analytics
API Access
Automate QR code creation programmatically
What is the API?
Our API (Application Programming Interface) allows developers to create QR codes, short links, and landing pages automatically through code, without using the website interface.
Common Use Cases:
- Generate unique QR codes for each customer order
- Create event tickets with individual QR codes
- Integrate with your CRM or marketing platform
- Bulk create hundreds or thousands of QR codes
Getting Started
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1
Generate an API Key: Go to API Keys page and create a new key
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2
Read the Documentation: Visit our API documentation for detailed endpoints
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3
Make API Requests: Use your favorite programming language to call our API
Quick Example
Creating a QR code with cURL:
-H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{
"url": "https://yourwebsite.com",
"name": "My First API QR Code"
}'
Visit API Documentation for complete reference, code examples in multiple languages, and interactive testing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! That's the power of dynamic QR codes. You can change where the QR code points to at any time without reprinting it. The QR code image stays the same, but the destination URL can be updated whenever you want.
Static QR Codes: The destination URL is encoded directly in the QR code. Once printed, it cannot be changed. No tracking.
Dynamic QR Codes (Our Default): The QR code points to a redirect URL that you can change anytime. Includes full tracking and analytics.
The minimum recommended size depends on the scanning distance:
- Business cards: 0.8" x 0.8" (2 x 2 cm) minimum
- Flyers/Posters: 1.2" x 1.2" (3 x 3 cm) minimum
- Billboards: Use the formula: Size = Distance ÷ 10 (e.g., viewed from 30 feet away = 3 feet QR code)
Rule of thumb: Bigger is better! Always test scanning from the expected distance.
Yes! Creator tier and above can add a custom logo to the center of the QR code. The QR code has built-in error correction, so it will still scan even with a logo covering part of it. We recommend keeping the logo size reasonable (not more than 30% of the QR code area).
No! Your QR codes will work forever as long as your account is active. Even if you downgrade your plan, your existing QR codes will continue to work (though you may not be able to create new ones depending on your tier limits).
Visit the Pricing page and select the plan you want. The upgrade takes effect immediately, and you'll be charged a prorated amount for the remainder of your billing cycle.
Yes! We support PNG, SVG (vector), and PDF downloads. SVG format is perfect for professional printing on billboards, vehicles, or any large format materials as it can be scaled to any size without losing quality.
Affiliate Program
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Still Need Help?
Our support team is here to help! We typically respond within 24 hours.