QR codes are a simple but powerful way to connect your offline audience to your digital world. Whether you’re running a local café, an online shop, or a global brand, using QR codes the right way can drive clicks, sales, and real engagement.
But when they’re used poorly, they just... flop.
No scans. No conversions. Just wasted space and missed opportunities.
Let’s fix that.
Here are the top 5 mistakes brands make with QR codes, along with tips to get more scans, better results, and happy customers.
1. Placing the QR Code Where No One Can Scan It
We’ve all seen it—QR codes on giant banners high above your head, on buses in motion, or hidden on a product label no one notices.
🟥 Too high
🟥 Moving surfaces
🟥 Low light or glare
Do this instead:
Put the code at eye level, on a flat, visible surface, in a place where people naturally pause for a second. If it takes effort to scan, most people won’t bother.
2. Linking to Pages That Don’t Work on Mobile
Let’s be honest—everyone scans QR codes with their phone. So if the link opens a clunky desktop website, they’ll close it immediately.
What goes wrong:
– Slow loading
– Tiny text and buttons
– Unclear navigation
How to fix it:
Always link to a mobile-friendly page. Better yet, use snick.link to create a fast, clean, mobile-optimized link-in-bio or landing page in seconds.
3. No Call to Action, No Reason to Scan
People don’t scan random codes anymore.
If there’s no clear reason or value, most people will ignore it.
Mistake:
– No explanation
– No context
– No trust
Quick fix:
Add a clear, benefit-driven CTA next to the code:
“Scan to get 10% off”
“View our latest collection”
“See the full menu”
If users know what they’re getting, they’re far more likely to scan.
4. Using Static QR Codes That You Can’t Edit
Once printed, static QR codes are fixed. If the link changes, the code becomes useless—and you have to reprint everything.
Smart move:
Use dynamic QR codes, so you can change the destination anytime, without reprinting. snick.link makes it super easy to update your links anytime, from your dashboard.
5. No Tracking, No Insights
Many brands launch QR codes and never check if anyone actually scanned them. No data = no learning.
Missed opportunity:
– No idea how many scans
– No idea where or when
– No understanding of what works
Solution:
Use a QR code tool with built-in analytics. With snick.link, you get real-time data: scan counts, locations, devices, and more—so you can optimize what works.
QR codes are more than just cool-looking patterns.
Used smartly, they’re a powerful bridge between your offline and online presence.
Avoid the common mistakes above, and you’ll turn a simple scan into real engagement.
🚀 Ready to create smart, editable, trackable QR codes that actually deliver?
Try snick.link for free today.