Best Practices for QR Code Placement

Where you place your QR code can make a huge difference in how many reviews you collect. Here are the best locations and strategies for QR code placement.

Why Placement Matters

A QR code in the right place at the right time catches customers when they're most satisfied and most likely to leave a review. The goal is to make it as easy and natural as possible for happy customers to scan your code. Strategic placement can increase your review collection rate by 300 percent or more.

Best Placement Locations by Business Type

Restaurants: Place QR codes on table tents, receipts, menus, and to-go bag stickers. The table tent is especially effective because customers see it while waiting for food or after their meal. Add text like 'Enjoyed your meal? Scan to share your experience.'

Retail Stores: Put QR codes on receipts, business cards handed out with purchases, window displays, and near the checkout counter. A small standing sign at the register works great. Include text like 'Love your purchase? Scan to leave a review.'

Salons and Spas: Display QR codes at the checkout desk, in treatment rooms, on appointment reminder cards, and in waiting areas. Customers are often most satisfied right after their service. Use text like 'Feeling refreshed? Let others know about your experience.'

Medical and Dental Offices: Place codes at the checkout desk, in waiting rooms, and on appointment cards. Keep the language professional: 'Share your experience with our practice.'

Service Businesses: Include QR codes on invoices, business cards, email signatures, vehicle wraps, and thank-you cards sent after service completion. For contractors and home services, a yard sign with a QR code during the job can generate reviews from neighbors too.

Universal Best Locations

These work for almost any business type:

Receipts: Every customer gets a receipt, making this a guaranteed touchpoint. Place the QR code prominently at the bottom with a clear call-to-action.

Business Cards: Hand these out after every transaction or service. Include the QR code on the back with text like 'Scan to review us.'

Checkout Counter: A small standing sign or sticker right where customers pay catches them at a natural pause point.

Entrance/Exit: Place a poster or sign where customers see it as they leave. This catches them right after their experience while it's fresh in their mind.

Packaging: If you ship products or provide takeout, include a QR code sticker on the packaging. Customers often open packages at home when they have time to leave a review.

Placement Tips for Maximum Scans

Eye Level: Place QR codes at average eye level, about 5 to 6 feet from the ground for standing areas, or on surfaces people naturally look at while sitting.

Good Lighting: Make sure there's adequate lighting on your QR code. Shadowy or dimly lit codes are harder to scan.

Flat Surfaces: QR codes work best on flat surfaces. Curved or textured surfaces can make scanning difficult.

Clear Space: Leave some white space around the QR code. Don't crowd it with too much other text or images.

Right Timing: Place codes where customers see them after their positive experience, not before. A table tent works because customers see it during and after their meal, not when walking in hungry.

Proper Size: For table tents or counter displays, use at least 2x2 inch codes. For posters, use 4x4 inches or larger. The code needs to be big enough to scan from a comfortable distance.

Adding Context and Calls-to-Action

Never put just a QR code with no explanation. Always include text that tells customers what will happen when they scan. Good examples:

'Scan to leave a review' - Simple and direct.

'Love us? Scan to share your experience' - Targets happy customers.

'Your feedback matters - scan here' - Emphasizes importance.

'Scan to tell us how we did' - Neutral, encourages all feedback.

'Enjoyed your visit? Leave a quick review' - Specific to timing.

What to Avoid

Don't place codes in bathrooms - this is unprofessional and unhygienic.

Avoid placing codes too high or too low - they should be easily accessible.

Don't put codes on windows where sunlight causes glare - this makes scanning impossible.

Don't make the code too small - customers shouldn't have to get uncomfortably close to scan it.

Avoid cluttered placements where the code competes with too many other visual elements.

Testing Your Placements

After placing your QR codes, test them from a customer's perspective. Try scanning them from different angles and distances. Ask employees to scan them and provide feedback. Monitor your analytics to see which placements generate the most scans - you can track this by looking at your traffic sources if you place codes in distinct locations with different contexts.