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QR Codes for Offline Marketing

Brandon Austin avatar
Written by Brandon Austin
Updated this week

QR Codes for Offline Marketing

Quick Answer

Generate QR codes for your affiliate links to track offline referrals from business cards, flyers, events, and in-person meetings. QR codes work exactly like regular affiliate links—when scanned, they set the 60-day attribution cookie and track all purchases within the first 12 months.

Overview

QR codes bridge the gap between offline marketing and online conversions. They're perfect for networking events, printed materials, and face-to-face meetings where typing a long URL isn't practical. Your QR code maintains full tracking capabilities, ensuring you earn your 30% commission on all referred business.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Access Your Affiliate Portal

  1. Log into your Affiliate Portal at affiliate.heritageweb.com

  2. Navigate to "Links & Creatives" in the main menu

  3. Select "QR Code Generator"

Step 2: Generate Your QR Code

  1. Choose your base tracking link or create a new campaign link

  2. Add UTM parameters if desired (utm_source=businesscard, utm_medium=qr)

  3. Click "Generate QR Code"

  4. Select your preferred size (minimum 1 inch square for print)

Step 3: Download and Test

  1. Download in your preferred format (PNG for print, SVG for scalability)

  2. Test scan with your phone to verify it works

  3. Confirm it redirects to the correct Heritage Web page

  4. Check that tracking shows in your analytics within 5-10 minutes

Best Practices for QR Code Usage

Business Cards

  • Place QR code on back of card

  • Include text "Scan for Heritage Web"

  • Ensure minimum 1-inch size for reliable scanning

  • Leave white space around code

Event Materials

  • Use on banners, booth displays, and handouts

  • Create event-specific QR codes with utm_source=eventname

  • Display at eye level for easy scanning

  • Include call-to-action text

Print Advertisements

  • Size at least 1.5 inches for magazines/flyers

  • Test print quality before mass production

  • Include backup short URL below QR code

  • Track each publication with unique UTM parameters

Important Notes

Attribution Works Identically: QR codes set the same 60-day cookie as regular links. Once someone creates an account after scanning, you earn 30% commission on all their purchases for 12 months.

Mobile-First Experience: Most QR scans happen on mobile devices. Ensure your landing pages are mobile-optimized for best conversion rates.

Track Different Campaigns: Create unique QR codes for different offline channels to measure what works best. Your analytics will show which sources drive the most referrals.

FAQs

Q: Do QR codes expire? A: No, QR codes are permanent. However, the 60-day attribution cookie starts when scanned, and commission eligibility is for 12 months from account creation.

Q: Can I use QR codes for enterprise referrals? A: Yes, but remember to email [email protected] BEFORE the enterprise client signs up to ensure proper bulk attribution.

Q: How do I track which QR code generated a referral? A: Use unique UTM parameters for each QR code. These appear in your Affiliate Portal analytics, showing exactly which offline source generated each referral.

Q: What if someone scans but signs up later? A: The 60-day cookie persists across all Heritage Web domains. As long as they create an account within 60 days of scanning, you'll receive attribution.

Next Steps

  • Generate QR codes for your most common offline touchpoints

  • Order business cards with your QR code

  • Create event-specific QR codes for upcoming networking

  • Test all QR codes before printing materials

Related Articles

  • Tracking Offline Referrals and In-Person Conversions

  • Creating Multiple Campaign Links

  • Understanding the 60-Day Cookie Window

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