← Back to Blog
guidesPublished on 07 April 2026 · by QRHero Team

Create a QR Code for your Website – connecting print and digital

A QR code on printed materials brings visitors directly to your website. How to create it correctly – including tips for more scans.

#qr code for website#website qr code#create website qr code

Create a QR Code for your Website – connecting print and digital

Flyers, posters, business cards, packaging – anywhere you cannot simply click a link, a QR code makes your website directly accessible. One scan and the visitor lands exactly where you want them.

Create a QR code for your website – in three steps

  1. Open QRHero.de – no registration, no installation
  2. Select the "URL" type and paste your website URL
  3. Download – done

This takes under a minute. You can use the code immediately in your print layout.

Which URL should go in the code?

This sounds like a simple question – but it is not always. The right destination URL determines whether your QR code actually converts.

Homepage: Only useful when the goal is general – "visit our website". For anything specific, there are better options.

Landing page: If the QR code is on a specific flyer or poster, it should link to a thematically relevant page. Someone scanning a product flyer wants to see the product – not the homepage.

Contact page: Good for business cards if you are not using a vCard.

Google Maps: For locations, restaurants, or venues – opens directly with navigation.

Booking page: For service providers, doctors, restaurants with a reservation system.

Add UTM parameters: If you want to measure how many visitors come through the QR code, append UTM parameters to your URL: https://your-site.com?utm_source=flyer&utm_medium=print&utm_campaign=april2026 Google Analytics will then show you exactly how many visitors came from this code.

Shorten the URL – why and how

The longer the URL, the more complex the QR pattern – and the harder it is to scan. Especially with UTM parameters, a URL can quickly exceed 150 characters.

Solution: Shorten the URL before creating the QR code.

Options:

  • Your own short URL: /s/april or /flyer – most professional, stays within your domain
  • bit.ly or t.ly: Free URL shortening services, but you depend on a third party
  • Direct clean URL: Sometimes keeping the URL short and clean without parameters is enough

Design tips for more scans

Respect minimum size: 2 × 2 cm for normal use. On posters or outdoor advertising, scale up accordingly – rule of thumb: at least 1/10 of the reading distance.

Contrast is everything: Dark code on light background works best. Avoid low contrast or colourful backgrounds – they significantly reduce scan rates.

Add a call to action: A QR code alone is not enough. Write what the user gets when they scan: "View menu now", "Reserve a table", "Find out more". This noticeably increases the scan rate.

Respect the quiet zone: There must be a white border of at least 4 pixels around the code. Without this "quiet zone", the scanner cannot recognise the code.

Integrate a logo: A logo in the centre makes the code more trustworthy and recognisable. It can cover up to 30% of the code area without affecting readability – QR codes have built-in error correction.

Test before printing

This step is often skipped – and it is the most common mistake. Test your QR code:

  • With an iPhone (the camera app is enough)
  • With an Android device
  • From various distances
  • Under different lighting conditions

If you are using a print service: ask for a proof and test it again. Printing can alter contrast.

Conclusion

Creating a QR code for your website takes minutes. The crucial difference lies in preparation: the right destination URL, a short and clean URL, good design, and a call to action. Follow these steps and you will get significantly more scans.

Create your website QR code for free at QRHero.de – no registration, ready to use immediately.