About QR Code Size
A QR Code can hold a lot of information, but as an artist or craftsperson you typically want one that points to something on your website or to a website where your products are sold. First let's explore the size of the QR Code.
These two QR Codes both point users to the same webpage (ours - go ahead and try scanning it with your phone if you like). The QR code on the left has encoded our native website URL (http://craftid.com/marketme). The QR code on the right has encoded a shortened version URL (http://qr.net/7r4) that points to the same page. Notice that the one on the left is smaller. This makes a difference in how large you have to produce the QR code on your CraftID or other marketing materials. So, if you have to produce a very small QR code you may need a compressed URL. The longer the URL the larger the QR code.
TIP: Most (all I tested) QR code apps do not require the "http://" on your URL. So if your URL includes the 'www.' then just try it like this: www.craftid.com instead of http://craftid.com. That's three fewer characters (15 versus 18 or 17% fewer letters) and that makes a difference in the size. Also consider registering some abbreviated version of your URL.
TIP: In most cases the best use of a QR coded URL is to take the user to a very specific page, not just your home page. If you or your webmaster knows how to do URL redirects you can abbreviate your URL with a redirect such as using www.craftid.com/me to point to www.craftid.com/marketme. The result is still readible, but much shorter.
About QR Code URLs
As mentioned above to make a small QR code you have to start with a short URL. Most, if not all, apps show you the URL they plan to direct you to. If your customer doesn't recognize the URL as something 'appropriate' they may elect not to continue to your page. This is why using your full URL is preferred. Showing the customer your actual URL as the QR code engenders more trust and will likely produce more follow through and more sales.
About QR Code Scanners
The QR code scanners most of us know are those apps we've downloaded into our phones. Examples are ones from Red Laser, Optiscan, Kaywa and i-nigma. The apps available to you will depend on whether you have an iPhone, Android phone, Blackberry or something else. Differences in apps and phone cameras mean that your combination of phone + camera + app will determine how well you can read a given QR code. You want your prospective customer to read your QR code so you ALWAYS want to test your QR code at a size you plan to use with multiple phones and apps. Do not presume that if it works with your phone everyone can read your QR code. Test, test and test some more.
Some QR code apps provide you with on-screen guides to align the code for scanning. Others you just point the camera and it figures out where the QR code is. Examples of the former are the default scanner that AT&T provides on phones and the Red Laser app available for many phones. Examples of the latter are QR Code Scanner Pro (for Blackberry) and Optiscan and i-nigma (for iPhone). Both varieties can be effective, but the latter group are frequently more versatile.
If you would like to create your own QR code try http://qrcode.kaywa.com or http://www.qrstuff.com.
Remember though if you want a Master CraftID we will happily create your QR code. Just provide us with the URL or other information and we will optimize it for your CraftID.
