How to Create Discounts Using QR Codes in Shopify

Shopify automatically generates a shareable link and QR code for eligible discount codes.

Discounts with QR Codes

Discount codes are a proven way to attract new customers, reward loyal shoppers and encourage repeat purchases. However, asking customers to remember a code and manually enter it during checkout creates unnecessary friction.

Shopify makes the process easier by automatically generating a shareable link and QR code for eligible discount codes. When a customer clicks the link or scans the QR code, Shopify applies the discount to their shopping session. The customer can continue shopping without copying, remembering or manually entering the code at checkout.

This feature gives Shopify merchants a simple way to connect online promotions with email campaigns, printed materials and in-store experiences.

Watch the video below for a complete walk-through and continue reading for detailed instructions.

How Shopify Discount QR Codes Work

A Shopify discount QR code is connected to a shareable discount link. When a customer scans the QR code, Shopify opens the store and associates the corresponding discount code with that customer’s session.

The customer may not immediately see a confirmation after opening the link. However, when the customer adds an eligible product and proceeds to checkout, the discount should already be applied.

This removes several steps from the traditional process:

  1. The merchant shares a discount code.
  2. The customer remembers or copies the code.
  3. The customer finds the discount field during checkout.
  4. The customer enters the code.
  5. Shopify validates and applies the discount.

With a shareable link or QR code, the customer only needs to click or scan. Shopify handles the rest. QR Codes Only Work With Code-Based Discounts. Before creating your QR code, it is important to understand the difference between Shopify’s two main discount methods.

Automatic discounts

Automatic discounts are applied when a customer’s cart meets the conditions configured in Shopify. The customer does not enter a code or take any additional action.

Because automatic discounts do not require a code, Shopify does not need to generate a QR code or shareable discount link for them.

Discount codes

Code-based discounts require a specific code such as:

  • SPRING50
  • SAVE15
  • WELCOME10
  • FREESHIPPING

These are the discounts that can be connected to shareable links and QR codes.

If you do not see the option to generate a shareable link, confirm that you are viewing a code-based discount rather than an automatic discount.

What Customers Experience

When a customer clicks the shareable link or scans the QR code, Shopify sends them to your online store.

By default, the customer may be directed to your homepage. Shopify still associates the discount code with the session even if there is no obvious confirmation message.

Once the customer adds an eligible item and proceeds to checkout, the discount should appear automatically.

The discount will only be applied when the order meets the rules you configured. For example, the promotion may be limited to:

  • Specific products
  • Selected collections
  • A minimum order value
  • Particular customer groups
  • A limited number of uses
  • A defined promotional period

If the customer’s cart does not meet those conditions, the discount may not appear.

Redirect Customers to a Specific Product or Collection

Sending customers to your homepage can work for a general promotion. However, a targeted campaign will often perform better when the shopper lands on a relevant product, collection or promotional page.

You can control the destination by adding a redirect parameter to the end of the shareable discount link.

For example:

https://your-store.com/discount/SPRING50?redirect=/collections/spring-sale

In this example, Shopify applies the SPRING50 code to the customer’s session and directs the customer to the spring sale collection.

You can redirect shoppers to destinations such as:

  • A specific product
  • A collection
  • A landing page
  • A sale section
  • A featured category

You only need the relative path after the redirect value. You do not need to repeat your complete domain.

For example:

?redirect=/products/example-product

or:

?redirect=/pages/special-offer

Shopify does not necessarily build the custom redirect for you, so you may need to add this portion to the link manually.

After changing the destination, generate a QR code that points to the completed link and test the entire experience before launching the promotion.

Connect the Discount to a Marketing Campaign

Shopify can also associate a shareable discount link with an active marketing campaign.

When you select a campaign, Shopify adds tracking information to the link. These UTM parameters help identify where visitors came from and which campaign generated the traffic.

Because the tracking information changes the URL, Shopify also updates the QR code.

This can be useful when you want to measure the performance of promotions distributed through:

  • Email campaigns
  • Printed advertisements
  • Direct mail
  • Event materials
  • In-store signage
  • Product packaging
  • Receipts

Connecting the discount to a campaign can help you determine whether customers reached the store through that promotional link.

Only select a marketing campaign when it is part of your actual tracking strategy. Adding unrelated campaign information can make your reporting more confusing. If you are not using Shopify marketing campaigns or do not need campaign attribution, leave the campaign selection empty.

Make Discount Codes Part of an Omnichannel Strategy

Shopify discount QR codes can help bridge the gap between physical and digital shopping.

A customer might discover a promotion on an in-store sign, scan the code and complete the purchase online. Another customer might receive a printed receipt, scan the code at home and return to the store through a targeted product page.

The technology is simple, but the customer experience can be powerful. Instead of treating your online store and retail locations as separate channels, QR codes allow them to support one connected shopping journey.

Start Using Shopify Discount QR Codes

To create a QR code for a Shopify discount:

  1. Open Discounts in the Shopify admin.
  2. Select a code-based discount.
  3. Select Promote.
  4. Choose Get a shareable link.
  5. Copy the link or download the QR code.
  6. Add a redirect or campaign tracking when needed.
  7. Test the promotion before sharing it.

Shopify handles most of the technical work automatically. Your main responsibility is to create a compelling offer, configure the discount correctly and place the QR code where customers are likely to use it.

Sometimes the simplest ecommerce features produce the most practical results. Shopify discount QR codes reduce checkout friction, improve the connection between online and in-store marketing and give merchants more ways to distribute promotions.

Sunrise Integration hosts free Shopify OT training sessions every Friday to help merchants learn about Shopify features, tools and best practices. Visit our events page to explore upcoming sessions or contact Sunrise Integration for help improving your Shopify store.