How to generate your own QR Codes: Tutorial (and what is a QR Code?)

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You've seen these QR Codes popping up everywhere, right?

I just got an iPhone 4S so I definitely scan those codes to see what I've been missing.

(If you're wondering what QR Codes are, they're images that you scan using smart phones with built-in cameras. When you scan the image, you are taken to a website, email, phone number or whatever else the advertiser wants to share with you. Think of it as an opt-in marketing strategy.)

Well, drumroll please... now you can make them yourself! Link to your blog, your Etsy shop, your Facebook page, whatever you want. I first learned about this here and I got straight to work!

It pretty much can't get any easier. Go to the QR Code Generator website here. Select the type of data (web site, email address, social media, etc.), then input your url of choice. Choose a different color other than black if desired, then click Download Image! That simple.

Wondering which app to use to scan these codes? See the recommendations at the end of this article. I'm using QRafter since it's free.

Here are how mine turned out:

You can scan them right there on your computer screen or you can print them out and use them on printed material.

I'm thinking about signs for craft shows, coupon codes, business cards, ads in local stores... how are you going to use your QR Codes?