Feedback for QR Code tool

[Scott]

HI Creators,

If you've seen our announcement and used our amazing new feature in the Design tool (psst, its the ability to add a QR code for you or your customers use!) then please feel free to leave us some feedback on it!

https://community.zazzle.com/t5/creator-news/new-feature-add-a-qr-code-to-your-creations/ba-p/30124

[VivianD117]

well done!!

[PAZP]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I just tested it. I like the way it works and think customers will find it easy to use. I like that a customer won't have to leave Zazzle to make a QR code to replace placeholders that I've added to some products. The only concern I have is that there isn't a force replacement option that will remind the customer to change the link that is in the template field. You know when someone is thrilled with their product that they might forget to replace the QR code link. Just a thought. 

KUDOS to all. 

[Marcia]

This is great & seems so easy for the customer to do! Unfortunately, I already have a ton of products with a replaceable qr code. Guess I'll need to replace them all to make it easier for the customer. Glad I can use the "replace product" at this point!

[PAZP]

Let us know how the replacement works for you using the replace product option, Marcia. I too have a large number of placeholder designs with them. I'll be curious as to how quickly they are replaced into the marketplace. 

[Marcia]

Absolutely, Patricia! I did over 30 of them last night & they're now in that strange state of flux where some of them look like they've changed in my backend, showing the correct thumbnail and not grayed out anymore, but when I click on them, they haven't. I figure another day or 2? I'll let you know.

[Ellvineblue]

Hi Marcia, how do you "replace product" - is this a new tool? I would like to replace my old QR Code with Zazzle new QR Code feature. So far, I went to one of my products, I changed it and published the product again. I put the old one into hiding. It's a bit tedious. Is there another way? Thanks.

[Marcia]

@Ellvineblue , some people are part of a beta group, where you can "replace product" after you make changes to a published product without republishing it again. If you have it, it would show up under the "sell" button on your product page. Hopefully, this will be rolled out to everyone in the near future.

[CreativeLeahG]

It appears that it cannot be set as a 'template' which means we can not add to our designs for customers to create their own QR code easily. Asking customers to enter into the customization tools to add one is not ideal. I currently provide an image that they can replace with a qr code, but how much better it would be to be able to add the QR code as a template.

[Fiorenzo]

Just tried on a greeting card and could define it as a template editable by customers. The QR content field is shown in the form and customers can enter their URL. And if they edit a long one, the same warning to shorten it displays. Nicely implemented, IMO. Didn't try to publish yet, did just a quick test how it works.

Edit: Unfortunately the code doesn't get deleted if the content field is empty. Will address this separately.

[PAZP]

I just made some designs and published them. All went well.  I think that's a great option to be able to remove the link and have the QR code removed too. 

[CreativeLeahG]

excellent, I shall try it again, may have been a glitch my end. Thanks

[PAZP]

I just made some and it is a template. The template field shows up in the personalization area. 

[nyclosangeles]

Hello @CreativeLeahG 🙂
Your responses are always easy for me to understand, so I do have one quick question for you ma'am. Thanks for your time!  We are all busy as bees, so I appreciate the input, so, for the NEW QR Code option, when I click on the option, a box comes up that tells me to add a url? What url? lol? Do I need to go and fetch a mock one or am I missing something? Please help ...haha🙂 , and in your humble opinion, should I stick to the old template method? Thanks again!!!

[Fiorenzo]

Truly well done, especially since it can be used as a template where customers can fill in their own data. I like also the url-too-long-warning appearing in the form. There is a major flaw, though: if the QR field doesn't contain any data, a standard dummy QR code is shown. You need to hide the QR element if no data is entered. Please do NOT do it the other way round and force the customer to enter something. Empty field = no QR code is shown.

[PAZP]

Good point. I agree that if the code is removed by the customer, who may like a design but not want a code, that the dummy QR code should not appear. 

[Barbara]

At the cost of sounding hopelessly out of touch, where would I utilize a QR code? Are businesses putting codes on their business cards? Who else might be doing this?

[CrazyMermaid]

Wedding couples are using them to let people RSVP online. as well. 

[Barbara]

Thanks for the idea. I don't do standard invites, but I do a lot of reunion cards. That might be another possibility.

[Bpa]

I sell my art on zazzles fine products  off the side of my motorhome. 

I just maid today a 14"×14" wall sticker for the side of my motorhome that contains a  qr code and advertisement of what the qr code is for.

[CreativeLeahG]

This may seem like a daft question but does the WHOLE url need to be added ie:

https://www.lowbudgetwedding.network

or can a shorter version be added www.lowbudgetwedding.network

I believe it makes a difference to the 'complication' of the qr code pattern? Or am I wrong re this? I am not very well versed on QR code technology and my phone refuses to recognize it.

.

[Barbara]

Leah, your phone may be just old enough that a QR reader wasn't included. Most phones can download an app for it.

[CreativeLeahG]

It's only a year old, the problem might be 'me' lol!

[Bpa]

Shorten only

[Barbara]

I fully understand the benefits of QR codes for business owners because of the kind of extra info that could be put into them, but I'm unclear on how they might be used for RSVP's. It would have to send the recipient to some sort of web site, wouldn't it?  The code would end up being unusable by any guest who can't read it with a phone, so the info would nevertheless have to be on the card, right?

[CreativeLeahG]

The code directs to a wedding website where they can add all kinds of info, gift registry, rsvp, directions, menu, dresscode, reception details, any rules re plus 1's and children, engagement photos etc.

[Barbara]

That makes sense, and it probably eliminates a lot of phone calls asking for info.

So, is a URL the only information a customer can supply for Zazzle's QR code?

Colorwash's Home

[CreativeLeahG]

It seems so, they can add their own text to accompany it if we add a text template field. It is usual to say something like 'please scan the code to enter our wedding website to rsvp etc etc'. Business cards and such perhaps don't need any instructions in this regard.

[Barbara]

I got reading about all the things that can be placed in a QR code, and I really liked the idea that a contractor, for instance, can place their phone number in it and the person can scan the code to place the phone number in their contacts list.

Colorwash's Home

[De]

This all seems great, but if product are linked via qr Code and customers can change the qr code, how does this affect affiliate marketing using our affiliate codes?  If a QR code is changed will it remove our affiliate links and are these embedded in the qr code?  If so how do we check for our affiliate link?  I know on Pinterest my affiliate link often disappeared.

[Fiorenzo]

This is primarily meant to be used for customer codes, e.g. on business cards, not for designer purposes such as credits.

[Barbara]

Scott's words: "Not only can it be utilized for your own attribution purposes, but your customer networking needs!"

I gather he's referring to the backs of greeting cards where we traditionally place our logo. I assume he means we can place a URL within the QR code to send buyers easily to our web site or maybe simply our Zazzle store. I'm not sure, of course.

Colorwash's Home

[Fiorenzo]

That's, of course, the other use. I see it more as a valuable tool for customer designs, e.g. business cards and other business stuff, or, as already mentioned for rsvp etc. On cards and for our own attribution, I'm not that sure - this will add to the attribution chaos even more. I'm wondering why Z is still labeling the Z QRcode/attribution an "independent designer credit" - this is highly misleading, IMO. It must be called zazzle credit, no matter if it leads to the designer's product.

[Barbara]

I totally agree, Fio. As soon as my life settles down a bit and I can get back to designing, I'll be focusing on business-style products, in particular, business cards where I think QR codes will be a nice selling point.

[Fiorenzo]

I hope nothing serious, but in the same boat here. Mainly with the rescues. have a bunch that is almost 13, you can imagine what this means. And lost a younger one to cancer after 2 months of fights and half days spent outside. I'm pretty destroyed and was basically inactive.

Business cards are evergreen, they were my bestseller back in the 90s. Sold over 50k at 2$ license per CD. And worked 2 weeks on them. Never earned that much money in such a short period of working time, lol. Good old times. Will work on them, too, here, in my non-pet-related store, but not now. Not in the mood. And yes, QR codes are pretty nice for that matter. Truly a great tool - I must say, we're on the best POD. The only thing that has to be done better is letting the code disappear when the field is empty.

[Barbara]

Fio, you might enjoy the videos done by Hope For Paws, an animal rescue organization whose stories almost always have happy endings.

Nothing dire has happened. Just a string of events that have sent me up, down, over, and around. I came down with Covid (in spite of vaccinations), had cataract surgery, and then decided to renovate the kitchen, which still isn't quite finished.

I do relatively well with business-related items and am looking forward to using the QR codes. Wish it could be as lucrative as your lovely experience in the 90's.

Colorwash's Home

[Fiorenzo]

Thanks for the hint. It's all fine, the drawbacks of rescuers' lives. Glad, there's nothing serious also on your part. Did Lasik 2000 (was heavily myopic) - best decision ever.

When creating and selling stuff it's a hit or miss. Sometimes you're lucky, most often it's so-so and sometimes you fail. The "esoteric/mythical" collection was such a failure, worked over 3 months on it and sold less than 3k. Had fun, tho, way more than with the business cards. Greeting cards, invitations, stationery papers, the Christmas collection, and - surprise surprise - the wedding and baby collections were the bestsellers after the business cards. The 90s were other times without that huge impact of today's global interconnection (www), globalization, and immense competition (especially from low-cost countries). Won't happen anymore (see also the music industry). Unless you have cash (to make cash).

Have a great day, trying to be productive here, today, LOL.

[mylittleeden]

Wow! I have just been busy adding in the QR code option as images so will have to go back to those and update as this new feature is amazing 😍 Thank you Zazzle. I love it! It is so good that customer can simply type their website and it changes and I can color co-ordinate it. Fabulous addition ❤️ Thank you to all those working on this new tool it is a massive 👍 thumbs up from me. I think our customers will love the ease of use too if we designers add in into the templates. Brilliant what a gift! 💝

Oh just one small thing you can get codes now with scan me in the middle one of my examples below any chance you can offer this in the future? I will leave that thought with you. Thanks again 😁

[NigelSutherland]

I sell lots of items with QR codes on, and I've set the templates up so that customers have to create their own QR code on an external website, such as https://www.qr-code-generator.com

They then download and upload to Zazzle to replace my holding image. There are advantages to going down this route as there are some QR code uses that a simple URL isn't enough for - a wifi link for example, where both a user name and password field would be required input before a working QR code can be generated.

[Bpa]

How do I get a qr code for my collections so my customers can  see all my stickers all at once. They can click on the side of my motorhome. I already  created one for my store on a 14"×14" sticker I'll  get August 30.