Chances are, we’ve all seen a QR code somewhere. Whether it’s on an event poster, a business card or even in a supermarket! QR codes (short for Quick Response Code) are composed of small black squares on a white background. Each of these squares contains encoded information, such as weblinks, Contact information or App Download links.
QR codes can be incredibly easy and helpful ways for charities to share information with their donors, without needing reams of paper or leaflets. Generally they’re easy to access too, all you need is a contemporary smartphone with a camera, or a QR reading app. QR Codes are not Hyperlinks, so you don’t need to use them on your website to link elsewhere, however they can be brilliant for physical or singular materials to direct to electronic or digital resources.
What does this mean for your charity?
QR codes can be used in a number of brilliant ways, to both help you advertise your events, but also to streamline your branding and sign-posting.
Here’s a few tips on where you could use a QR code in your charity:
-
Online Giving:
Through your giving platform people can donation 24/7. If you’re using iKnow Charity, you can add a Giving Page to your website. You can then produce a QR code for that page and display it on leaflets/ emails/ brochures or posters giving people who aren’t able to donate with cash to participate in the collection too. When someone scans the QR code with their phone they will be taken straight away to your giving page where they give (with Apple Pay and Google Pay it can be a case of a few clicks to make a donation).
-
Links to your website
For any printed material promoting your charity make sure that you have a QR code taking people to your website. If you are advertising a special event then the QR code can go straight to the booking form.
-
Updates to Newsletters
If you produce printouts to distribute through the charity, why not consider adding a QR code? This could link to your charity website, where the reader could find a digital version of the leaflet/update, or even find greater detail for each notice. This would allow you to cut down on paper used and potentially wasted.
So how do you go about setting up QR codes?
NOTE: If you are using iKnow Charity and want to create a QR code for the giving page then this can be done through iKnow Charity's Finance module.
Whilst there are many different providers which can be used to generate a QR code, the easiest and best way we’ve found is simply by using the web-browser Google Chrome. Within Chrome you’re able to produce your QR code, download it and then add it to any documents or files that you need.
Using Google Chrome, simply right click anywhere on the webpage you wish to link to (note, this won’t work if your cursor is over an image). In the drop down menu, select ‘Create QR code for this page’
Simply click ‘Download’
In closing
Whilst QR codes can be brilliant, they can also be anonymous, which is why we would recommend caution when scanning or accessing any QR codes. We suggest only scanning QR codes from trusted sources to avoid potential security risks or scams.