How to Create Trackable QR Codes: A Complete Guide

Frustrated with QR codes that don’t tell you who’s scanning them or when? 

A trackable QR code changes that by providing real-time insights into your campaigns’ performance. Using a QR code generator with tracking capabilities, you’ll discover exactly how, when, and where people interact with your codes. 

Whether you’re running marketing campaigns, managing event registrations, or monitoring product engagement, this guide will show you how to create trackable codes to boost conversions and maximize ROI. 

What are trackable QR codes?

Trackable QR codes are dynamic QR codes that capture data about who scans them and when and where the scan took place. Unlike static QR codes, these codes give you real-time analytics about user interactions. 

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When you create these codes using a QR code generator with tracking features, you can monitor metrics like scan location, device type, and scan frequency. This data helps measure campaign performance and adjust your strategies based on actual user behavior.

Benefits of trackable QR codes for businesses

Here are the key benefits of using trackable QR codes:

1. Real-time performance tracking

Using a trackable QR code generator gives you instant visibility into scan activity. You’ll see exactly when and where people interact with your codes, plus get detailed metrics on unique vs. repeat scans. This data helps optimize campaign timing and targeting, turning your QR codes into powerful analytics tools.

2. Cost-effective marketing measurement

Start with a free QR code tracker to test basic campaigns. As your needs grow, QR code generators let you scale analytics while maintaining control over costs. You’ll eliminate guesswork by measuring exact ROI and understanding which marketing channels drive the most engagement.

3. Dynamic content management

Unlike static QR codes, a dynamic QR code with tracking capabilities lets you update destination URLs instantly without creating new codes. This flexibility means you can modify campaigns on the fly, redirect traffic as needed, and set expiration dates for promotions – all while maintaining detailed tracking of user interactions.

4. Location intelligence

rTrackable QR codes provide valuable geographic data about your scans. Understand which regions engage most with your campaigns, optimize local marketing efforts, and target high-performing areas for maximum impact. This location-based insight helps refine your targeting strategy and improve campaign effectiveness.

Top QR code metrics you can track 

Your QR code can deliver crucial performance data about how users interact with it. Here are the key metrics you can monitor:

1. Total scans 

Tracks the number of times your QR code has been scanned, helping measure reach and engagement.

2. Unique vs. repeat scans

Distinguishes between first-time and returning users, revealing user loyalty and campaign stickiness.

3. Scan location

Maps where scans occur geographically, from country level down to city, helping target marketing efforts.

4. Device information 

Shows which devices (iOS/Android) and browsers users prefer, enabling better technical optimization.

5. Top performing QR codes

Showcases all the QR codes that have performed well for your business. You can also enable date filters to see what all codes created during a certain period performed well in a short span of time.

6. Conversion rate

This metric enables businesses to measure how many scanners completed desired actions after scanning a code. 

How to create trackable codes with a dynamic QR code generator

Here’s a step-by-step guide to generate QR codes that deliver measurable results:

Step 1. Choose a reliable QR code generator

Select a QR code generator like Mobiqode that offers tracking and analytics capabilities along with real-time tracking, customization options, and data export functionality. 

Step 2: Login and select the type of QR code

Login to Mobiqode and choose a QR code type that you’d like to create.

It could be a website URL, vCard, text, PDF, or other formats.

Tip: We recommend you to choose a tool that helps you create dynamic codes as they make tracking simpler and even allow you to modify content without changing the code itself.

Since we are making a QR code for the website URL, let’s add the URL first and move on to the customization section.

Step 3: Customize and create your QR code

Make your QR code visually appealing while maintaining functionality. Here are a few tips to make your QR codes more visually appealing and easy to scan:

Color selection

• Use brand colors for QR code modules (the black squares)
• Maintain at least 50% contrast between background and modules
• Avoid light colors on light backgrounds
• Limit to 2-3 colors maximum for optimal scanning

Logo integration

• Place your logo in the center, sized to 25% or less of total code
• Use transparent backgrounds for logos
• Ensure logo doesn’t overlap critical data patterns
• Test scanability after logo placement

Pattern and frame design

• Select patterns that match your brand aesthetic
• Add frames with clear call-to-action text
• Choose rounded or sharp edges based on brand style
• Keep corner markers (positioning squares) clearly visible

Tip: Remember that while customization enhances brand recognition, scanning reliability should never be compromised for aesthetics. Always test custom designs across multiple devices and lighting conditions.

Step 4: Test before deployment and download

Before launch, test your QR code across multiple devices to verify content redirection, tracking features, and load times. Ensure the code  scans properly under different lighting conditions and all customizations work correctly. 

Export in PNG format for digital use or SVG for print materials, maintaining high resolution. Save backup files before deploying across marketing materials to prevent potential technical issues.

That’s it. In four steps, you get to create a trackable QR code that helps your business understand where your maximum number of scans come from.

Please note: The reason why we did not ask you to set tracking parameters while creating the QR code here is because mobiQode offers a detailed analytics dashboard. Here you can track how each QR code performs based on the devices used to scan them, their location, and unique scans too.

If this intrigues you further about the tool, we suggest you try its 14-day free trial and create trackable QR codes for your business.