QR Codes in Email Marketing: More Clicks, Fewer Clicks

In modern email marketing, it’s important to shorten the path from the message to action. Users don't always have the opportunity to click links on their smartphones or manually copy them. This is where QR codes for email campaigns come in — a quick, convenient, and multifunctional tool that connects the email to real user actions.

Most emails are opened on mobile. A QR code allows users to immediately interact with the content — follow a link, receive a coupon, open a ticket, or make a payment without additional clicks. This opens up new possibilities for multi-screen interaction and boosts conversion.

Why Use QR Codes in Email Campaigns?

QR codes in email campaigns are a way to add more interactivity, reduce barriers between the message and action, and engage the audience across multiple devices simultaneously. This is especially relevant for eCommerce, events, services, or any campaign where speed of user response is crucial.

📥 Promotions: QR codes allow for quick activation of discounts without needing to follow a link. The user simply scans the code on the screen and is taken to a personalized promo page.

🎟 Event Invitations: In an event invitation email, a QR code can be added that links to the ticket or schedule page. This is convenient for both online participants and for offline verification at the entrance.

📲 Payments or Donations: When a payment needs to be made, QR codes allow users to immediately access Apple Pay, Google Pay, or card payment options. Fewer clicks mean more payments.

📊 Surveys: Instead of a "Take the survey" button, just add a QR code — it’s easy to open the form on the phone, even if the email is being read on a computer.

🎁 Coupons and Certificates: Gift promotions are easy to implement via QR. Scan — and the user downloads a PDF or activates the code in an app.

📚 Access to PDF or Instructions: If you're sending technical documentation, instructions, or a guide — instead of attaching it, just add a QR code that links to the PDF. It’s convenient and avoids overloading the email with attachments.

📹 Video Review or Demo: If you want to share a video, the QR code allows users to immediately open YouTube or Vimeo on their mobile device — without embedding heavy videos in the email.

🔐 Authentication or Verification: Using a one-time QR code link, users can log into their account without needing usernames or passwords — useful for SaaS or service-related emails.

📦 Order Tracking: In shipping confirmation emails, a QR code links to the tracking page — the user can instantly see the status without entering the order number manually.

🛡 Warranty Activation: After purchase, the customer can receive an email with a QR code that opens a form or page for warranty confirmation — quick and without extra steps.

💬 Feedback Collection: Add a QR code that links to a feedback form or Google Review — it’s convenient and increases the number of reviews after interacting with the product.

🧠 Interactive Survey: In an email after a webinar, course, or purchase, the QR code can link to a custom survey — the user can quickly provide feedback via their smartphone.

When Does a QR Code in an Email Work Better Than a Button?

While traditional CTA buttons remain effective, there are scenarios where a QR code works better and is more convenient for the user. This is especially true when dealing with interactions across multiple devices or in an offline environment.

• 📱 Email is opened on a computer, and the action is on a smartphone: For example, when a payment needs to be made or a coupon needs to be saved in a mobile app.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Need to share with a colleague or friend: Just show the QR code on the screen — no copying links or registration required.
• 🖨 Email will be printed: For example, a continuous promotion, bonus coupon, or event invitation. In this case, a button won’t work, but the QR code remains active.

How to Insert a QR Code in an Email?

Adding a QR code to an email takes just a few minutes but provides great opportunities for interacting with the subscriber. The key is not just to insert the image, but to design it visually and logically.

1. Create a QR code in FbFast, specifying the link or other necessary content.
2. Choose the PNG or SVG format — these are optimal for email campaigns.
3. Insert the QR code into the body of the email as an image — next to the text or in a dedicated block.
4. Add a caption or instruction: “Scan to get a coupon” or “Open on your phone”. This increases click-through rates.

Design Tips

To ensure that the QR code in the email looks professional and serves its purpose, it is important to consider both technical and design nuances. Here are a few practical tips to help make it effective:

• Code Size: It should be compact but readable. The optimal range is around 200–300 pixels.
• Call to Action (CTA): There should be a clear explanation next to the code or in the caption, such as "Scan to get a discount" or "Go to the page".
• Mobile Adaptation: Always test if the page linked by the code opens correctly on mobile devices — without errors or redirects.
• Use of Dynamic QR Codes: This allows you to change the target link without the need to update the email content.

Examples of Use

QR codes can be effectively integrated into various types of email campaigns — from eCommerce to service events or SaaS companies. Here are a few options:

• 🛍 eCommerce: An email with a discount offer for a repeat purchase. The QR code directly links to the product with a UTM tag — convenient, quick, and effective.
• 🎤 Events: An email invitation contains a QR code with a ticket, which can be scanned at the entrance or saved to Apple Wallet.
• 📢 SaaS: An email about a new update — the QR code links to a landing page with details of new features or a feedback form.
• 📦 After-Sale Service: An email with instructions or warranty details — the QR code links to a PDF or video.
• 🎓 Educational Platforms: A welcome email where the QR code opens access to the first lesson or an introductory guide.

Combine with Analytics

To evaluate the effectiveness of QR codes in email campaigns, it’s important to track how users interact with them. Dynamic codes in FbFast allow you to collect complete analytics for each case:

• 📈 Scan Count: See the total number of visits and distribution by day.
• 🌍 Geography: Identify countries and cities where your emails are most frequently scanned.
• 📱 Device Types: Statistics for smartphones, tablets, and desktops.
• 📆 Dynamics: Analyze activity over time — by weeks, days, and campaigns.
• 🔗 UTM Tags: Integration with Google Analytics for extended reporting.

📩 Add a QR Code to Your Next Email

Link, coupon, ticket — everything can be made more convenient for the user. Start with the generator and add interactivity to your next email.

Create a QR Code for Email