Can I track how many people scan my QR code?

Yes — dynamic QR codes include full analytics: total scans, unique scans, device breakdown, operating system, browser, and geographic data down to city level.

Does the URL need to start with https?

We strongly recommend https for security and compatibility. HTTP URLs work but trigger browser security warnings on iOS and Android, which significantly reduces conversion.

Can I use a URL shortener with Unqode SmartQR?

You don't need to — dynamic QR codes already use a built-in short redirect URL. Adding an external shortener creates an unnecessary extra hop that slows down the redirect and can break in edge cases.

How long does a dynamic QR code last?

Dynamic QR codes remain active as long as your Unqode SmartQR account is active. There is no built-in expiry unless you explicitly set one via the expiry date feature.

Can I add a password to my URL QR code?

Yes — Pro and Business plan users can add a password gate so only people with the correct password are redirected to the destination URL.

What happens to the QR code if I change my website URL?

With a dynamic QR code, simply update the destination URL in Unqode SmartQR. All existing printed codes immediately redirect to the new URL. With a static code, you would need to reprint.

URL / Website QR Code

Create URL / Website QR Codes for Free

A URL QR code encodes any web address and opens it in the user's browser with a single scan. It's the most common type — and with dynamic URL QR codes, you can change the destination whenever you like, without reprinting.

Create URL / Website QR Code View pricing

SCAN ME

Why it works

Why use a url / website qr code?

Works with any URL — website, landing page, Google Maps, YouTube, social profile

Dynamic version lets you change the destination anytime without a new QR code

UTM parameters built in for full campaign attribution in Google Analytics

Custom branded short URL (e.g. links.yourbrand.com/summer)

Geo-targeting redirects visitors by country to localised landing pages

A/B testing splits traffic between two URLs to find the higher-converting page

What it is

What is a URL / Website QR Code?

A URL QR code is a two-dimensional barcode that encodes a web address and opens it in the user's browser the moment their camera detects it. It is the most widely deployed QR code type in the world, used across print advertising, product packaging, business cards, signage, and digital displays. Dynamic URL QR codes go further — they redirect through a tracking server, meaning the destination URL can be changed at any time without replacing the printed code.

The type most people reach for first is also the one it's easiest to under-use. A URL code that just points at your homepage is a slightly awkward way to type a website address; a URL code that points at a specific landing page built for the exact print piece it's on is a small, cheap tracking system you didn't have before. The difference is entirely in the setup, not the code itself — the same square of ink works either way.

What makes the dynamic version worth paying attention to is that the printed code and the destination are two separate things connected by a redirect you control. Change the redirect, and every poster, sticker, and packaging insert already in the world updates at once. That's the property every other QR type on this page inherits from — the URL code is the pattern the rest are built on.

“The printed square and the page it opens are two separate things, connected by a redirect only you control — change one without touching the other.”

See it in action

What happens when someone scans your url / website qr code

Scan the code

Browser opens automatically

Lands on your exact URL

Getting started

How to create one, step by step

Enter your URL

Type or paste any web address. For dynamic codes, you can change this later.

Customise the design

Choose colours, add your logo, and pick a frame style to match your brand.

Download and use

Download as PNG, SVG, or PDF. Works on print, digital, packaging — everywhere.

Track every scan

See real-time scan counts, device types, and geographic data for every dynamic QR code.

In practice

Popular uses for a url / website qr code

Restaurant and café ordering

a code on the table or window opens a live menu page, so specials and sold-out items are never printed wrong.

Product packaging

links to a recipe, a tutorial video, or a warranty form the moment a customer opens the box, at no extra print cost.

Event posters and flyers

one code takes people straight to registration, with the option to redirect to a waitlist page once tickets sell out.

Business cards and name badges

replaces a line of small text under your name with a direct link to LinkedIn or a portfolio.

Billboards and print ads with UTM tracking

the only way to know whether an offline ad actually drove anyone to your site.

URL / Website QR Code at a glance

reprints needed when you change the destination URL

Live

scan analytics by device, location, and time

UTM

parameters built in for full campaign attribution

Custom

branded short URL for every dynamic code

Getting it right

Best practices for url / website qr codes

The code itself rarely goes wrong — how it's set up and where it's placed is what determines whether people actually use it.

Always use HTTPS URLs

HTTP links trigger browser security warnings on iOS and Android, reducing the likelihood that users will proceed to your page. Every link encoded in a QR code should begin with https://.

Set UTM parameters before printing

Add utm_source, utm_medium, and utm_campaign before you send anything to print. These parameters attribute every QR scan correctly in Google Analytics 4 so you can prove campaign ROI.

Test on multiple devices before printing

Scan your QR code on at least an iPhone and an Android device before committing to a print run. What renders correctly on one device may behave differently on another.

Use a custom short slug for trust

A branded short URL (e.g. links.yourcompany.com/offer) builds trust compared to a random string. Users are more likely to scan when they can see a recognisable brand in the URL preview.

Keep the destination page mobile-optimised

The vast majority of QR scans happen on smartphones. If your landing page is not responsive and fast-loading on mobile, you will lose most of the traffic the QR code sends you.

Which type to use

Other QR types worth pairing with url / website qr codes

vCard Contact QR Code

For sharing your own contact details instead of a generic link

Social Media QR Code

For pointing people at all of your profiles instead of just one URL

Landing Page QR Code

For building a small branded page when a single link isn't enough

Questions

Frequently asked questions about url / website qr codes

A static QR code permanently encodes the URL — change the URL and the QR code breaks. A dynamic QR code encodes a short redirect URL, so you can update the destination anytime without reprinting.

Ready to create your url / website qr code?

Free plan includes 3 dynamic QR codes and 500 scans/month.

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