How to Create a Website QR Code

A website QR code is the most fundamental QR type: scan it and you land on a URL. Simple as that. But there's more nuance to getting it right than just generating the code — the destination page, the QR design, and the placement all affect whether it actually performs.

When to Use a Website QR Code

• Directing print ad readers to a product page or landing page
• Linking physical packaging to online tutorials or assembly guides
• Driving flyer recipients to a booking or contact form
• Adding a digital call-to-action to outdoor advertising
• Linking business cards to a personal website or portfolio
• Connecting physical merchandise to an online store

Step-by-Step: Creating a Website QR Code

1. Decide on the exact URL you want people to land on. A specific landing page almost always outperforms a homepage.
2. Open the QR Hound Website generator.
3. Paste your URL. The generator validates and shortens it automatically.
4. Add optional UTM parameters to track the traffic source in Google Analytics.
5. Download in your preferred format — PNG for digital, SVG for print.

Static vs Dynamic Website QR Codes

A static website QR code encodes the URL directly. If the URL ever changes, the code stops working and you need a new one. A dynamic website QR code redirects through QR Hound's servers, allowing you to update the destination URL at any time without changing the printed code.

UTM Tracking: Know Where Your Traffic Comes From

Appending UTM parameters to your destination URL tells Google Analytics exactly where visitors came from. A URL like yoursite.com/landing?utm_source=flyer&utm_medium=print&utm_campaign=spring2025 makes it easy to measure the ROI of individual print placements. Combine this with QR Hound's scan analytics for a complete picture of engagement.