Why every business should have a custom QR code for branding

Article by: Vincent van Vliet

Last update: May 8, 2025

In a world where information comes instantly, audiences do not have much of an attention span, and along with intense competition, quick engagement is extremely valuable. For example, a quick scan of a Social Media QR Code can lead customers to your social media profiles, which can help grow your brand and brand identity.

With custom QR codes customized with your brand’s identity, you can allow your business to establish deeper consumer connections, get more engagement, and create memorable experiences. Find out more about custom codes and how to use them below.

What Makes a QR Code “Custom”?

Custom QR codes use brand-specific visual elements to align with your company’s image. For example, custom codes do the following:

Replaces black and white with your brand colors for custom QR codes
Embeds company logos within the code
Adds customizable patterns, frames, and call-to-action text

Brand XR suggests designing QR codes that align with your brand’s aesthetics. Custom codes can be more visually attractive and recognizable to your clients, which can help you improve scanning rates and memorability of packaging and products.

Why Branding Matters in a QR Code

Your visual brand goes beyond a logo. It helps establish trust and familiarity while producing an emotional response that shapes customers’ views of your business. QR codes that reflect your brand identity become integral parts of your messaging and design strategy.

A report by ProfileTree indicates that 60% of customers prefer using QR codes for coupons and discounts, and 57% have scanned food packaging QR codes for product information. This shows how important tailoring QR codes is to growing user engagement. A branded QR code transforms from a standalone tech feature into a vital part of the customer experience.

Where to Use Custom QR Codes

Including QR codes in your marketing materials can make your customer’s overall experience quicker and easier. Carefully designed codes offer efficiency and aesthetic appeal across numerous platforms.

Where to Place Custom QR Codes

Product packaging: Guides customers to instructional videos, product reviews, and registration forms.
Signs in your store: Brings customers to membership signups and exclusive deals.
Business cards: Provides contact information on a phone in seconds that can be updated at any time.
Event materials: Gives guests access to RSVPs, schedules, and maps.
Print ads and posters: Directs users to landing pages and coupon codes without additional input.

In fact, according to RocketLink, consumers frequently use brands that incorporate thoughtful visual elements, such as branded QR codes, into their offline materials.

Guaranteeing Security, Trust, and Professionalism

Custom QR codes strengthen users’ perceptions of security and trust beyond their marketing and design features.

Users often question generic QR codes because they know QR links can lead to phishing scams. However, if you add your brand’s logo and colors, this will help create confidence with your users because they recognize your business.

According to a McKinsey & Company report, 70% of consumers believe that companies they engage with protect their data, yet 57% of executives report experiencing at least one significant data breach in the past three years.

This difference means it’s key to design QR codes with your brand’s consistency so that your clients and potential users do not hesitate to scan.

Dynamic Codes for Flexibility and Insights

Custom designs in businesses are easily done with dynamic QR codes. With a dynamic code, you can change the URL or any information without having to re-print the code or change it.

Dynamic QR platforms deliver live data, including metrics about scans and user interactions, such as:

Number of scans
Location and device type
Time of scan
Engagement trends over time

The ability of QR codes to adapt dynamically makes them highly cost-effective for marketers.

Affordable, Scalable, and Easy to Implement

According to Forbes, it’s important to tailor your code without warping the pattern. Most custom codes can help you avoid this problem.

Distorted QR codes are difficult or even impossible to scan. If you’re putting it on a billboard or a poster, keep consistent proportions to ensure your code is visible.

How Small Businesses Can Benefit

There are a number of ways that small businesses can use custom codes. If you have a small business, you can use:

Affordable monthly or one-time tools
Existing print and digital materials can easily incorporate QR codes without modifications.
Implementation requires no special equipment or advanced technical abilities.

These benefits make QR codes provide outstanding returns on investment through enhanced engagement, brand recall, and increased digital traffic.

Conclusion

If you want visual tools that strengthen your brand’s identity while actively engaging users and delivering immediate marketing insights, a custom QR code is the answer. Combining them with your branding can help connect physical and digital spaces and items easily.

To help establish your brand in today’s fast-paced world of innovative design and instant access, guarantee that every tiny detail of your code reflects your unique identity.

Article by:

Vincent van Vliet

Vincent van Vliet is co-founder and responsible for the content and release management. Together with the team Vincent sets the strategy and manages the content planning, go-to-market, customer experience and corporate development aspects of the company.