How to Create an SMS QR Code in 7 Steps

You can now send a message to anyone and allow them to send you an automatic reply using SMS QR code.

Your receivers no longer have to input your phone number to send you a response manually. Your phone number will be ready right after scanning the code.

This type of QR code saves both the message sender and receiver the time and energy spent on looking for contact details.

Learn more about this QR code solution and how you can create it out of a free QR code generator from this blog.

What is a QR code for SMS?

QR code for SMS is one of the many QR code solutions available in the market today and many users use this solution in the exchange of messages.

SMS stands for “short message service,” so this means that the message you can embed in this QR code is with limited characters only, just enough to relay a thought.

The SMS QR code holds your phone number and the message you want to relay to the receivers. When users scan this code, they can view your message in an editable format with your phone number already in it.

So whenever you want to make a reply, you can just instantly key in your reply and not worry anymore about retyping the sender’s phone number.

The best thing about this is that this QR code to SMS solution is static in nature. It means that you can use it for free—no subscription needed, no fees.

How do I get a QR code for SMS?

If you want to make your own QR code, here’s how you can do it:

  1. Go to the Free QR Code Generator website online. Sign in to your account or sign up for the freemium version if you don’t have one yet.
  2. Click on the SMS solution.
  3. Set up your country code and input your mobile number. You can then write your message in the box below it.
  4. Click on the generate QR code button.’
  5. Customize your QR code by modifying specific elements, such as colors, frames, eyes, patterns, logos, and the call to action tag.
  6. Test scan your QR code to ensure its readability.
  7. Download, print, and deploy your QR code.

How does the SMS QR code work in 3 ways?

Unlike other solutions that do not allow the generation of QR codes when all information boxes are not filled, this QR code to SMS solution lets you do so.

This QR code works in 3 different ways:

Phone number and message

You can fill in the phone number and message sections together when generating this code.

When users scan the code, they will see both your phone number and the message you have attached with it. 

Message only

You can also generate a QR to text with just a message only. This is perfect for initiating message brigades—sharing uniform messages with others.

This way, users no longer have to copy and paste or manually forward the message to another person. You can just add their contact number and send the message immediately.

Phone number only

You can also generate a code with only your phone number in it. When users scan the code, your phone number will already be there, and they can just directly encode their message.

This reduces the risk of error in the manual input of the receiver’s number. They no longer have to search and copy your contact details from their contacts app—saving them time and effort.

Best use-cases for QR code message

Here are some of the best use cases for your QR code:

Marketing and promotion

Aside from flyers and posters, the use of QR codes can be another way to promote marketing initiatives.

You can use this QR code for SMS to send out a message to your contact list regarding an upcoming sale. This will pique the audience’s interest and might increase your sales on the actual day.

Spreading announcement

Instead of spending on printed flyers and posters, an SMS QR code can make up for the job—catering to both digital and printed audiences.

For educational institutions or managerial tasks, you can send out instructions or announcements to their downlines using QR codes. It’s helpful for recipients to send out their replies instantly.

Customer service

You can embed this QR code message that directs customers to the customer service mobile number. It will allow convenient and fast communication for customers to relay their concerns or send out inquiries.

 They no longer have to resort to emails when asking inquiries, especially for those who find SMS-sending more convenient than email-sending.

Meeting and event reminders

You can use the SMS QR code to remind attendees about the event or meeting. Make sure to add the complete details of the event in the message section, such as the event’s name, venue, and time and date.

Sending QR codes rather than sending the actual text preserves the confidentiality of the embedded data.

Sharing inspirational messages

Share a QR code today to send out inspirational messages and quotes to your friends and relatives. 

When users scan the code, they will be able to read the embedded message in it. And since your phone number is already there, they can freely send you a reply to say their thanks.

Why choose the Free QR Code Generator?

For your QR code needs, choosing the best software matters the most. The flexibility and offering of the QR software you’re using will greatly affect the quality of the QR codes you will produce.

Some of the qualities you must consider include affordability, availability of solutions, customization features offered, and one that has a friendly interface to work with.

The Free QR Code Generator offers mostly free QR code solutions and, even better—a freemium version that lets you try out even the advanced QR code solutions.

When availing of its plan offers, you can choose from a list of flexible plan subscriptions that will surely match your pocket.

It also has a total of 20 QR code solutions—a mix of static and dynamic solutions, including the most used solutions, like URL, vCard, WiFi, and File.

Aside from that, this QR code software has various customization features that you can use to create attractive QR codes.

You can change the color, the frames, the eyes, patterns, and even add a logo to your code, and most importantly, the call to action tag.

These specifications might seem intimidating, but you can swiftly navigate through the Free QR Code Generator’s friendly interface—even non-tech-savvy can confidently work on this software.

Other QR code solutions to try

Aside from the QR code SMS solution, you should try other QR code solutions. Below are some of the most common solutions you can use, too.

URL

The URL QR code can hold any link. When users scan this code, it opens up to the embedded website.

You no longer have to copy-paste lengthy URL addresses or manually search for a website online, scanning a code makes the job much easier and convenient.

WiFi

With WiFi QR code, you can set up your WiFi details, such as name and password, so when users scan the code, they can directly connect to your network.

It eliminates the hassle of manually inputting passwords, usually an alphanumeric combination that is prone to typographic errors and saves time, too.

vCard

The vCard QR code, on the other hand, lets you share your business card in digital form.

When users scan this code, they can view a digital version of your business card that they can directly save on their devices.

The fact that printed business cards have limited space, you can only include a few details about yourself when printing them. Printing tons of these can be very costly, too.

But using a vCard QR code, printing one, or sharing it online can already go a long way. Not only that, but you can also include more details about yourself while editing the vCard landing page.

You can include social sites, descriptions, and even a photo.

File

The File QR code lets you embed PDF, JPEG, PNG, MP4, Excel, and Word documents. However, the plan subscription you availed will dictate the maximum file size you can embed, ranging from 5 to 20 MB.

This QR code solution resolves the matter of device incompatibility when sharing files from one user to another.

Social Media

The social media QR code acts as an all-in-one solution that holds all your social platforms in one QR code.

Instead of creating separate QR codes for platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and more, the social media QR code allows you to hold all of these. 

People can then follow you on all these sites in one click. It makes this QR code solution suitable for influencers or social media marketers aiming to increase their followings.

Event

If you are an event organizer, you can use this QR code to send invites or reminders to anyone about an upcoming event. 

When creating this QR code, you can include details, like event name, location, and time. You can use this as an alternative to printing posters and flyers, which can be very costly.

Location

If you’re inviting your friends to come over for a housewarming party or going somewhere for a group trip, a location QR code can be a more precise instruction.

Instead of using photos or just Google Maps screenshots of the location, the exact points will most likely lead them to the right place, which is more convenient and helpful.

Best practices in designing a QR code SMS

When designing a QR code, make sure to consider some important points that might affect the scanability of the code.

Choose your QR colors well. Pastels are not a great choice for QR codes; they are rather light, which might be hard for scanners to detect.

Do not use colors with low contrast. It means that using almost similar colors for both patterns and frames will give scanners a hard time detecting important QR code points, resulting in scanning.

In designing your QR code, always remember that the pattern should be darker than that of the background and not the other way around.

Also consider adding a logo; this gives users the confidence to scan your code. Adding the brand logo also helps in retention—people will most likely remember your brand each time they see your logo.

Lastly, don’t forget your call to action tag. Make it a compelling one. Powerful call to action are the ones that give off a sense of urgency. You can incorporate the words “now” and “today” in your CTA.

These tips, when followed and done correctly, will surely contribute to the scan analytics of your QR code in a positive way.

Short but sweet: A message sent through QR codes

An SMS QR code plus a creative mind equals worthwhile scans.

Add an element of excitement and mystery to your message; sending it via a QR code preserves its confidentiality and, at the same time, provides recipients with a unique experience.

The use of QR codes is not only convenient to the message sender but to the receivers as well. Imagine being able to compose a direct reply minus the hassle of manual contact search or input of contact details.

This QR code is also free. You don’t even need WiFi to view the embedded information in this code, making it best for travelers or the ones that are always on the go.

Get yourself a QR code today. Visit the Free QR Code Generator website and sign up for an account. Creating an account is free—no credit card details are needed! 

You may also sign up for the freemium version to enjoy the dynamic QR code solutions.

FAQ

What’s the difference between a text QR code and an SMS QR code?

The QR code for SMS holds both a phone number and a message from the sender, allowing you to make instant replies.

But the QR code for text can only hold a short message—no phone number included; it’s purely meant to send information without an expected reply.