QR codes in emails: Everything you need to know

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

QR codes have become a powerful tool in everyday social media and email, as they offer a seamless way to connect offline and online interactions. Their use is widespread, especially in marketing and customer engagement. One area where QR codes have found significant use is in e-mail communication. By integrating QR codes into emails, companies can create interactive experiences for their customers. However, this integration comes with both opportunities and challenges, especially when it comes to security concerns, user experience and technical compatibility.

In this article, we’ll explore the ins and outs of using QR codes in emails, how to implement them effectively, common issues like QR codes not displaying or loading, and best practices for both senders and recipients.

What is a QR code in email?

A QR code for email is a type of 2D barcode that can be embedded in an email. When scanned by a QR code reader or smartphone camera, it provides a quick link to a specific URL, contact information, a promotional offer or other valuable information. QR codes in emails work as an effective way to drive recipients to action with minimal effort, encouraging them to visit a website, make a purchase or interact with a product.

How to use a QR code in an email?

To use a QR code in an email, you must first create a QR code that links to the content or action you want your recipients to engage with. There are several free and paid QR code generators available online that allow you to create a code for URLs, text, images, and more.

1. Choose your content: Select the content you want to share with the QR code. This could be a link to a special offer, a form, an event registration page, or even a digital product like an e-book.
2. Generate the QR code: Use a QR code generator to create the code. These tools allow you to enter your URL or content and then generate a code image.
3. Build into the email: Once you have the QR code image, you can embed it into your email template just like any other image. Be sure to make the QR code large enough for recipients to scan easily.
4. Test the QR code: Before sending the email, always test the QR code to make sure it leads to the right page or action. Scanning with a smartphone or QR reader will give you the necessary confirmation.

How do I scan a QR code in an email?

Scanning a QR code in an email is easy and in most cases requires no additional apps. To scan a QR code in an email:

1. Open the email: Open the email containing the QR code.
2. Scan the code: Use your smartphone camera or any QR code scanning app. Most modern smartphones have a built-in QR code scanner in the camera app. Just point your camera at the QR code and a link or action will appear.
3. Follow the link: After scanning, you will be redirected to the destination specified in the QR code, such as a website, discount offer or event registration.

It’s that simple! QR codes make it quick and easy for the recipient to access content from emails.

Common problems with QR codes in emails

While QR codes in emails are useful, they can sometimes cause problems, both for senders and recipients. Below are some common problems people encounter with QR codes in emails and how to solve them:

1. QR code does not appear in email.

One of the most common complaints is that the QR code does not appear in emails. There can be several reasons for this:

• Image blocked by email client: Some email clients block external images for security reasons. Be sure to add the QR code image directly to the body of the email and host it on a trusted server.
• Incorrect installation: If you are using a template to send emails, make sure the QR code is properly embedded. If you’re using HTML email formats, make sure the image tag is correct and the QR code image has the correct alt text in case it doesn’t load.

2. QR code is not loaded in e-mail.

Sometimes the QR code in email doesn’t load at all. This problem is usually caused by:

• File size: Large images cannot be loaded, especially in emails with strict size limits. Make sure the QR code image file is the correct size.
• Slow Internet: A slow or unreliable internet connection can cause images not to load. Encourage recipients to check their connection or download the email for offline viewing.

3. QR code does not appear in email signature.

Many professionals use a QR code in their email signature to share business cards, links to social media profiles or company promotions. However, some email clients may not display these codes correctly. Make sure the QR code is optimized for different email platforms and hosted on a reliable server to avoid display issues.

There are several reasons why it’s a good idea to include QR codes in your emails, including:

Improves user engagement

By including a QR code for email recipients, you give them an easy way to engage with your content.

Creating interactive content

Email is a one-way communication tool, but QR codes can make it an interactive experience. Instead of just reading an email, recipients can take action immediately by scanning the code. This interactive element can increase engagement and help convert email readers into customers. Test your email delivery with the best tools – use GlockApps to see how your emails are performing!

Increased mobile interaction

QR codes are very mobile friendly. Since most people read emails on mobile devices, a QR code in email makes it easy for them to scan and act on the information immediately. This can improve conversion rates, especially for e-commerce campaigns.

Best practices for using QR codes in emails

Follow these to make sure you’re using QR codes effectively in your email campaigns:

1. Test the QR code thoroughly.

Before you send the email to your entire list, test the QR code to make sure it’s working properly. Scan it with multiple devices and apps to ensure compatibility across all platforms.

2. Keep it simple.

QR codes should be easy to scan. Avoid making them too small. A simple design with clear edges ensures that the code can be easily read by smartphones and QR scanning apps.

3. Add clear instructions.

If you include a QR code in your email, be sure to provide clear instructions on how to use it. Not all recipients may be familiar with QR codes, so briefly explain how to scan the code or what to expect when they do.

4. Provide a backup link.

Not everyone may be able to scan the QR code. To cater to these users, include a text-based link or CTA in the email as a backup. Users still have access to your content or campaign even if the QR code doesn’t work.

5. Optimize for mobile.

As we’ve already discussed, many emails are read on mobile devices, which is why you should make sure your QR code is visible and easily scannable on smaller screens. The code must be large enough to be scanned from any smartphone camera. You can also use GlockApps’ HTML Checker to see how your emails look on different platforms.

6. Monitor analytics.

When using QR codes, monitor their performance. Track how many users scan your QR codes and which campaigns generate the most engagement. This will allow you to adjust future campaigns.

Conclusion

QR codes in emails offer a creative and effective way to drive engagement, improve user experience and simplify actions for recipients. Whether it’s encouraging a purchase, driving traffic to a website or sharing a contact detail, using QR codes in emails is a powerful strategy that works across industries.

However, to maximize effectiveness, it is critical to ensure that the QR code is displayed correctly, is easy to scan, and is accompanied by clear instructions and alternative access methods. If you encounter issues such as the QR code not appearing in email or the code not loading in email, it is important to troubleshoot these common issues to ensure smooth functionality. By thoughtfully embedding QR codes into emails, you can make your digital communications more engaging and interactive, providing real value to your recipients.

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