QR codes – those square barcodes that appear everywhere from restaurant menus to event tickets and streaming platforms – are also revolutionising the way businesses get paid, all over the world.
Using QR codes for payment can be a game-changer for businesses. Whether you sell face-to-face or online they can provide a simple, secure way for customers to pay. They are easy to create and seamless to use for quick payment without the need for any complex payments integration.
A QR code (QR stands for Quick Response) may look like a random mix of black-and-white squares, but each slice contains several layers of information.
Because a QR code can hold far more information than a barcode, it can be safely connected to payment processors like PayPal. With QR codes, you can start accepting payments in just a few minutes, without physically handling cash, signing receipts, or even interacting face-to-face. The scanning process allows the payment app to decode the information and initiate the transaction, enabling swift and convenient cashless payments.
Once you create a QR code, you can start taking payments immediately. Just print your unique QR code on paper, stickers and signage, and then display it or send it by email or social media – it’s easy for customers to scan.
For your customers a QR code provides a friction-free way to pay. Scanning the code takes them to a secure, end-to-end encrypted, payment page where they can choose from a range of payment options. If you sell overseas, your customers can pay in 200 markets and 22 currencies, making it even easier for them to pay in their currency of choice.
Here are just some scenarios where a QR code could be the perfect answer for payments.
Whether you sell goods or services online, at home or overseas, a QR code is a fast and easy way to direct customers to your payment page. You can create (and save) a QR code for each of your standard SKUs, or a specific one for each project.
Send them by email, in a text message or over social media to your customer. Your customer scan the code with their phone camera and they’ll be taken to a payment page showing your product (or project) name and price (in the currency you chose), along with payment options including cards, Apple Pay and PayPal. Customers don’t even need a PayPal account to pay you.
If you sell in-person at temporary locations like trade fairs, events or pop-up stores, QR codes can provide an easy way to get paid. No need for point-of sale terminals or card readers – all you need is your smartphone. Store the QR code on your phone: just open the app, tap on the QR code button, and show your code. Customers scan it and you get paid.
You can even simply print out and display a QR code to choose the amount to be paid based on your customer’s purchases – much easier and safer than paying in cash for your customers and for you.
For services providers like website designers, developers, copywriters, personal trainers and more, presenting a QR code for customers to scan is a quick in-person solution to get paid instantly. They last indefinitely so you only need to create one code and let your customers scan it to pay.
Creating a QR payment code using PayPal Pay Links and Buttons is simple. Here’s a step-by-step guide.
With QR codes, you can start accepting payments in just a few minutes. No need for additional equipment, no need for technical resources or know-how. Simply present the code for your customers to scan.