https://app.y.gy/_next/static/chunks/pages/blog/difference_between_paid_free_qr_codes-4c2a5ee39c3ed329.js

1(self.webpackChunk_N_E=self.webpackChunk_N_E||[]).push([[181],{34893:function(e,n,t){(window.__NEXT_P=window.__NEXT_P||[]).push(["/blog/difference_between_paid_free_qr_codes",function(){return t(2032)}])},2032:function(e,n,t){"use strict";t.r(n),t.d(n,{__N_SSG:function(){return o},default:function(){return MDXContent}});var i=t(52322),a=t(45392);function _createMdxContent(e){let n={a:"a",h2:"h2",img:"img",li:"li",p:"p",strong:"strong",ul:"ul",...(0,a.a)(),...e.components};return(0,i.jsxs)(i.Fragment,{children:[(0,i.jsxs)(n.p,{children:["Some QR code generators are ",(0,i.jsx)(n.a,{href:"/qr-creator",children:"free"}),", and others\nrequire payment. Here at Y.GY, we have both. In this blog post,\nwe want to highlight the key differences between these two\noptions, and cover when you might want to pay for a QR code, and\nwhen you don't need to. The key is that free QR codes are\n",(0,i.jsx)(n.strong,{children:"static"}),", whereas paid QR codes are ",(0,i.jsx)(n.strong,{children:"dynamic"}),". We'll\nexplain how to think about static QR codes and dynamic QR codes\nfurther below."]}),"\n",(0,i.jsx)(n.h2,{id:"qr-codes-the-basics",children:"QR Codes: The Basics"}),"\n",(0,i.jsx)(n.p,{children:"QR codes are those square-shaped symbols composed of\nblack-and-white patterns. They are basically hyperlinks; the\nblack-and-white pattern (like a barcode) encodes a link to a\nwebsite. A simple scan with a smartphone's camera instantly\nredirects you to the encoded digital destination. It's the\neasiest way to point a person in real life to a website (rather\nthan typing out a long URL), and that's why it's so popular for\nintegrating digital content into physical mediums like print\nads, product packaging, and event signage."}),"\n",(0,i.jsx)(n.h2,{id:"static-qr-codes-vs-dynamic-qr-codes",children:"Static QR Codes vs. Dynamic QR Codes"}),"\n",(0,i.jsx)(n.p,{children:"Y.GY offers two types of QR codes: static and dynamic."}),"\n",(0,i.jsxs)(n.ul,{children:["\n",(0,i.jsxs)(n.li,{children:[(0,i.jsx)(n.strong,{children:"Static QR Codes:"})," Once created, the destination of a\nstatic QR code is fixed, making it impossible to modify.\nIdeal for permanent or long-term content sharing, these\ncodes are provided free of charge via our ",(0,i.jsx)(n.a,{href:"/qr-creator",children:"free QR code generator"}),", and do not expire."]}),"\n",(0,i.jsxs)(n.li,{children:[(0,i.jsx)(n.strong,{children:"Dynamic QR Codes:"})," Dynamic QR codes offer the ability\nto change the destination URL even after the code has been\ndistributed. Leveraging Y.GY's link shortening service,\nscanning a dynamic QR code first redirects to a Y.GY link,\nand from there to the end destination URL. Passing the\ntraffic through Y.GY allows for real-time tracking of scan\nmetrics, and updating the end destination when needed. This\nfeature is particularly beneficial for ongoing marketing\nefforts and content that requires regular updates."]}),"\n"]}),"\n",(0,i.jsxs)(n.p,{children:["The diagram below makes the difference even clearer:\n",(0,i.jsx)(n.img,{src:"/blogs/free_paid_explanation.png",alt:"Chart showing difference between a paid and free QR code"})]}),"\n",(0,i.jsxs)(n.p,{children:["You get static QR codes from our ",(0,i.jsx)(n.a,{href:"/qr-creator",children:"Free QR Code Creator"}),"\n, and dynamic QR codes from our Paid Product that starts at\n$4/month, accessible via your ",(0,i.jsx)(n.a,{href:"/login",children:"Dashboard"}),"."]}),"\n",(0,i.jsx)(n.h2,{id:"when-to-use-a-static-or-dynamic-qr-code",children:"When to Use a Static or Dynamic QR Code?"}),"\n",(0,i.jsx)(n.p,{children:"The choice between static and dynamic QR codes depends on your\nspecific needs."}),"\n",(0,i.jsxs)(n.ul,{children:["\n",(0,i.jsx)(n.li,{children:"Marketing and social media campaigns needing real-time URL updates."}),"\n",(0,i.jsx)(n.li,{children:"Tracking engagement and analytics in large-scale advertising on billboards, television, and digital displays."}),"\n",(0,i.jsx)(n.li,{children:"Business cards and event invitations for up-to-date contact information and event details."}),"\n"]}),"\n",(0,i.jsx)(n.p,{children:(0,i.jsx)(n.strong,{children:"Static QR Codes are suitable for:"})}),"\n",(0,i.jsxs)(n.ul,{children:["\n",(0,i.jsx)(n.li,{children:"Simple c

1ontent sharing among a small group."}),"\n",(0,i.jsx)(n.li,{children:"Internal organizational use where content remains constant."}),"\n",(0,i.jsx)(n.li,{children:"Anyone looking to utilize QR codes without incurring costs."}),"\n"]}),"\n",(0,i.jsxs)(n.p,{children:["Importantly, static QR codes are only safe if your link\n",(0,i.jsx)(n.strong,{children:"never changes"}),". If you're putting a QR code on a billboard\nor on a business card, then that destination link should never\nchange. If the link needs to be updated, then there's no way to\ndo that with that QR code unless you re-print the materials.\nEven if you don't think you will ever need to change the link,\nDynamic QR codes will give you some extra peace of mind by\nmaking your printed QR code robust against needing any potential\nchanges."]}),"\n",(0,i.jsx)(n.h2,{id:"our-qr-code-solutions",children:"Our QR Code Solutions"}),"\n",(0,i.jsxs)(n.p,{children:["To create a straightforward Static QR code, simply visit our ",(0,i.jsx)(n.a,{href:"/qr-creator",children:"Free QR Code Generator"}),"\n. Because these are static QR codes that link directly to your\ndestination URL, they will never expire. The QR code is just a\nrepresentation of your link, with no middleman in-between."]}),"\n",(0,i.jsxs)(n.p,{children:["For a Dynamic QR Code, start by ",(0,i.jsx)(n.a,{href:"/signup",children:"signing up for Y.GY"}),'\nFrom there, creating a QR code is easy — just click the\n"New Link" button and configure your link. Once you submit,\nwe\'ll instantly generate a corresponding QR code for you, as\nshown below:']}),"\n",(0,i.jsx)(n.p,{children:(0,i.jsx)(n.img,{src:"/blogs/ygy_qr_example.png",alt:"Example of QR code generated by Y.GY in the dashboard"})}),"\n",(0,i.jsx)(n.h2,{id:"any-other-notes",children:"Any Other Notes?"}),"\n",(0,i.jsxs)(n.p,{children:["One thing to watch out for is that a lot of free QR code\ngenerators online will tell you that it's free, but it's really\nonly a free trial. After a few weeks, once you've already\nprinted out your QR code, they hold you hostage and force you to\npay because it's a ",(0,i.jsx)(n.strong,{children:"dynamic"})," QR code. Remember our diagram\nfrom earlier: a dynamic QR code means that they sit in the\nmiddle, which gives them a lot of leverage. If they delete your\nQR code, then it won't work anymore."]}),"\n",(0,i.jsxs)(n.p,{children:["Here at Y.GY, we think that what some of these ",(0,i.jsx)(n.a,{href:"/compare",children:"other"})," QR Code\nwebsites are doing is a really gross scam. We're committed to\nnever using our position with Dynamic QR codes against you: if\nyou sign up, and make a dynamic QR code, and you want to stop\npaying at some point, that's fine. Your QR code will stay up\nforever. So long as Y.GY exists, we will never delete or expire\nany links automatically. Even if you're not a customer anymore,\nyour link is safe with us, and you can rest assured that it will\nkeep working afterward."]})]})}var o=!0;function MDXContent(){let e=arguments.length>0&&void 0!==arguments[0]?arguments[0]:{},{wrapper:n}={...(0,a.a)(),...e.components};return n?(0,i.jsx)(n,{...e,children:(0,i.jsx)(_createMdxContent,{...e})}):_createMdxContent(e)}}},function(e){e.O(0,[9774,2888,179],function(){return e(e.s=34893)}),_N_E=e.O()}]);