How to Create and Use a QR Code for App Stores

By: Rae A.Last updated:September 12, 2024

A QR code for app stores can help you direct people straight to your mobile app for a convenient and easy download, so you don’t have to struggle with heavy promotion.

There are a total of 8.93 million mobile apps today, with Google Play Store and Apple App Store as the market leaders in the industry.

With this number of mobile apps in circulation, app developers and marketers can use QR codes as part of their innovative strategies for promotion to drive downloads.

Curious as to how this can work for you? Keep reading to learn how to create and use QR codes from Free QR Code Generator.

Introduction to QR codes: Static vs. Dynamic

To answer the questions about what is a QR code and what makes it a useful tool in marketing—it is a two-dimensional barcode in a square shape that users can scan using a smartphone.

You can store a variety of information in QR codes, ranging from URLs, texts, and contact information, among others.

There are two types of QR codes: static and dynamic. Let’s compare the two.

Static QR code

Static QR codes are simple and free to generate. They allow you to store information permanently in the code.

Dynamic QR code

In comparison to their static counterparts, dynamic QR codes allow you to update the content of the QR code for different purposes, eliminating the need to regenerate or reprint a new one.

It is important to note, however, that this requires you to avail a subscription plan to enjoy more dynamic perks. But free trial offerings let you use a few dynamic codes without an initial subscription.

The app store QR code is an example of a dynamic QR code solution that allows you to convert your mobile app links from the three app stores—Google Play, App Store, and Harmony—into one QR code.

This QR code serves as a direct link to the download pages of your mobile app, allowing users to quickly access and install it on their devices with a simple scan.

How do I create a QR code for an app?

Step 1: Go to Free QR Code Generator website. Sign up for free to generate three dynamic QR codes.

Step 2: Click the Apps Stores solution found in the More drop-down button.

Step 3: Fill in the information box with your app link for 3 operating systems.

Step 4: Hit the generate dynamic QR code button.

Step 5: Customize your QR code design to match your branding.

Step 6: Test-scan your QR code to check for any scanning errors.

Step 7: Download, print, or share your QR code online.

How to use the app store QR code for marketing

As the mobile app statistics show an expected $935 billion in revenue to be generated by mobile apps in 2024, developers and marketers try different approaches to enhance app visibility and drive downloads.

If you’re also looking for a way to increase the discoverability of your mobile app, check out these recommendations below to increase the impact of your marketing campaigns:

Offline promotion

Adding a QR code to traditional marketing methods helps attract potential users and drive app downloads.

You can incorporate an app QR code on your physical marketing materials like posters, flyers, signage, and business cards.

This makes it easier for users to view and engage with the app on their smartphones, increasing the likelihood of them downloading and installing it.

Digital advertising

Share the QR code for app stores on digital channels such as websites, social media platforms, email newsletters, and video advertisements.

Users can easily interact with the QR code by scanning it, increasing click-through rates and conversions that you cannot get from traditional hyperlinks.

Product packaging inserts

If you have a physical product, consider adding a product packaging QR code that leads users to an exclusive app experience related to the product.

It can include tutorials, additional product information, or special promotions available only through the app.

This provides added value to customers and incentivizes them to download the app for a more enriched experience.

Business cards with app recommendations

Design your business cards with an all-in-one App Store and Play Store QR code that directs users to your mobile app.

If you are a mobile game developer, for instance, you can incorporate a QR code on your business card that leads to its mobile app for easy recommendations.

What’s great about this is that you can edit the content when necessary, allowing you to use the QR code to promote your other mobile apps without the need to reprint your business cards.

Educational materials

Encourage students to download exclusive educational apps by incorporating their QR codes in educational materials.

For instance, a QR code in a textbook could lead students to a language learning app, interactive quizzes, supplementary study materials, or educational games on the App Store.

Advantages of using a QR code for app stores

With millions of iOS and Android mobile apps vying for attention in the market, app developers and marketers are constantly seeking innovative ways to increase visibility, drive downloads, and engage users effectively.

If you’re up to using QR codes in promoting your mobile app out there, here are the key advantages you can gain and will take your campaign to success:

Instant app download

One of the most significant advantages of using a QR code to promote a mobile app is the seamless access it provides to its download pages on different app stores.

By simply scanning the QR code for app download with a smartphone, users can directly open the app’s download page on their respective device's App Store without manually searching for the app.

Offline to online conversion

QR codes bridge the gap between offline and online marketing channels, enabling developers to transition users from physical to digital environments seamlessly.

When users scan the QR code from physical marketing materials, their devices automatically redirect them to the app download page ready for installation, turning offline interactions into valuable online conversions.

Enhanced engagement

One advantage leads to another. By incorporating QR codes for mobile apps into physical marketing materials, you can encourage more users to scan and download the app.

Whether it’s because of curiosity, interest, or a specific need, users are more likely to engage with the app since the barrier to entry is low.

Trackable performance metrics

Since a QR code for app stores is a dynamic one, it has tracking and analytics capabilities that can provide you valuable insights into user behavior and campaign performance.

Through this QR code tracking feature, you can monitor metrics such as the number, time, and location of scans, allowing you to measure the effectiveness of your QR code campaigns and optimize your marketing strategies accordingly.

Creative branding

Advertising your mobile app using QR codes offers users a unique brand experience that they can’t find from other brands that use mobile app marketing.

Since you can integrate your brand identity into the QR code design and link it to content or incentives that align with the app’s branding strategy, you can deliver value to users while reinforcing brand identity and loyalty.

Real-life use cases of brands using QR codes for apps

Numerous well-known brands are turning their attention to QR codes to promote their mobile apps and increase app downloads instead of solely relying on traditional marketing.

Take a look at how leading brands with mobile apps use QR codes to encourage users to download them:

McDonald’s

The fast-food giant McDonald’s encourages consumers to download its mobile app to get exclusive deals.

How to download? Users can simply go to the McDonald’s app website and scan the QR code to download the mobile app available on both Google Play and the App Store.

Users can get $4 off on their app order of $4 or more when they join MyMcDonald’s Rewards.

Uniqlo

Whether it’s online or in-store shopping, customers can now buy items with ease by using the UNIQLO app. They can also download the app hassle-free by scanning the QR code on its website.

When users download the app, they can receive a $10 dollar coupon on a purchase of $75 dollars or more.

HeadSpace

The digital health platform HeadSpace provides a convenient way for users to download its mobile app and access meditation, mindfulness, and mental well-being resources via a QR code.

Users simply need to scan the QR code on its website, and it will automatically direct them to the app download page of the respective app store available on their device.

How to customize your QR code for app stores

One way to effectively use QR codes to promote your mobile apps is to transform them into visually appealing ones to attract your audience to scan and download them.

Here are five things you should apply when customizing the QR code for your mobile app marketing:

Match the color of your QR code to your branding

Consistency is key to building brand recognition and trust among your target audience.

Incorporate your brand’s colors into the QR code design to create a cohesive look within your marketing materials and showcase your brand identity.

Add the logo of your app

Increase your mobile app’s visibility and reinforce brand recognition by adding your logo to the QR code.

When users see your app’s logo within the QR code, they immediately associate it with your mobile app or brand, increasing memorability and recall.

Modify the eyes and patterns

The eye and pattern of a QR code serve important purposes in its structure and functionality, particularly for successful scanning.

You can maintain functionality while making your QR code for app stores more unique and attention-grabbing by changing its eye shape and patterns.

This change in detail in the QR code design can complement the overall aesthetics of your promotional materials instead of just using generic ones, attracting more attention from users.

Play with the frame style

Traditional QR codes are typically square-shaped, but changing the shape of your QR code or adding a frame to it gives you more flexibility to adapt the design to different marketing campaigns.

Whether it’s a sleek circle or a distinctive frame design, the possibilities are endless for creating a QR code that reflects your app’s personality and style.

Don’t forget the CTA

Some frames provide additional space to convey targeted messaging. If there isn’t one for your chosen frame, make sure to include a Call-to-Action (CTA) near the app QR code to prompt users to scan it.

A compelling call to action communicates the value proposition of your QR code and encourages users to engage with it.

Free QR Code Generator: The best free QR code software

QR codes offer a seamless way to deliver information, engage users, and drive action. To create a functional and visually appealing one, reliable QR code software comes into play.

When looking for a platform to use for making your QR codes, consider these features that you can find in our QR code software:

Free

As the name suggests, this platform is entirely free to use. Users don’t have to pay any fees or subscriptions to create QR codes as long as they are static, allowing users to create as many QR codes as they need.

They can also sign up for an account for free to generate three dynamic QR codes without the need to provide any credit card information.

Offers both static and dynamic QR codes

Users can choose between static and dynamic QR codes according to their specific use cases and requirements through Free QR Code Generator.

These options ensure that users can select the most appropriate type of QR code for their needs, whether they require static or dynamic content.

Wide QR code solution choices

This QR code software provides a wide selection of QR code solutions that support various types of content.

You can create a QR code for apps, URLs, text, contact information, files, and more. This versatility enables users to create QR codes for a wide range of purposes.

Various customization features

The software offers a wide range of customization options to suit users’ needs. Users can embed their app’s logo or icon into the center of their QR code for mobile apps and change its color to align with their branding.

This level of customization allows users to create unique and eye-catching QR codes that stand out from the crowd.

Easy-to-navigate website

Users don’t need to download or install any software when they use this platform, making it easy to create QR codes on the go.

It also has intuitive, user-friendly interfaces that make QR code creation a breeze. The process is very simple and has clear instructions, allowing even those new to QR code-making to create branded QR codes.

Let others discover your apps via QR codes from Free QR Code Generator

With the increasing competition in the mobile app market, standing out and reaching potential users is a top priority for app developers and marketers.

QR codes then emerge as valuable tools that provide them with an opportunity to reach potential users, drive downloads, and enhance engagement.

A single QR code for app stores offers a seamless way of directing users to an app’s download page with a scan.

It’s no wonder app developers and brands are turning their attention to this digital marvel. This is also your chance to create one to promote your invention.

Sign up for a free account today and generate a dynamic QR code that will let others discover and download your apps hassle-free.