When you first meet someone, you’ll likely end the conversation by asking for their contact information. Unfortunately, this usually requires swapping phones (and germs), trading expensive paper business cards, or manually typing in a phone number. One way around this is a rising crowd favorite: the QR code.
Using a QR code is a quick and touch-free way to exchange contact information. While there are several QR apps available, there’s one free QR code generator and reader that will enable you to meet new people even faster: HiHello. HiHello is a free digital business card app that generates QR codes for each business card you make, enabling you to share your cards in seconds.
While QR codes are becoming more popular by the day, they still remain a mystery to some. What are they, and how do they work? Let’s dive in!
QR codes have become commonplace in our everyday lives. Restaurants are opting for QR codes instead of menus, and shops allow you to scan QR codes to make purchases with your phone. QR codes are similar to barcodes, but their unique design allows them to hold more data than a barcode—the small squares that make up a QR code are spelling out a URL for QR code readers to decode.
QR stands for “quick response.” The name comes from the speed at which information can be retrieved from these codes. QR code readers can transform that data-rich QR code into the information you seek within seconds.
Unlike barcodes, QR codes can hold a significant amount of data, making them perfect for all kinds of applications. QR codes can communicate anything, including numbers, letters, punctuations, and symbols. One of the more commonly seen applications is for URLs. However, they can also be used for payments, two-step verification, emails, phone numbers, addresses, swapping contact information, and so much more.
Wondering how to scan a QR code? Most smartphones have a built-in QR code reader. (If yours doesn’t, don’t worry—HiHello also acts as a QR code reader.) Scanning a QR code is simple—open up the camera on your smartphone (or your HiHello app) and point it at a QR code. Your phone will recognize and scan the code instantly. Once your phone has analyzed the code, it will show a pop-up button sending you to the intended destination.
Once you understand how QR codes work, you can begin using them to share contact information. After you download the HiHello app and make a digital business card, HiHello will automatically generate a QR code for you so you can share your business card with whomever you meet, whether they have the app or not.
HiHello makes your QR code easily accessible. Not only can you show your QR code from within the app, but you can display your QR code on an iOS widget or Android widget. HiHello also offers an Apple Watch app, so you can share your business card by pulling up your QR code on your watch.
Once you learn how to save a QR code to your phone or computer, your HiHello QR code can be placed anywhere—marketing collateral, email signatures, billboards, and more. This single, powerful code enables you to share your name, phone number, email, and social media accounts, to name a few.
With HiHello Professional, Business or Enterprise plans you can customize your QR code with your logo. Use HiHello's search feature to find your logo, or upload it to include it in your QR code to keep branding consistent.
If you live in a location that requires vaccination proof for indoor establishments, you’ve probably frustratingly forgotten your COVID-19 vaccine card at home at least once. Several states now offer vaccine QR codes, and if you live in one of those locations you can add your vaccine QR code to HiHello. By adding your vaccine QR code to your phone, you eliminate the risk of being denied entrance to establishments that require proof of vaccination.
If you want to use HiHello’s free QR code generator and reader, open your smartphone’s camera app and aim it at the QR code below. If you’re currently using your mobile device to read this article, then you can sign up for a free HiHello account on HiHello’s website. (Premium digital business card subscriptions are also available if you would like to customize your QR code!)
Did you find this article helpful? Let us know!
