Documentation & FAQ
Table of Contents
Getting Started
What is QR Catalyst?
QR Catalyst is a comprehensive platform for creating, managing, and tracking QR codes. Our service allows you to create both static and dynamic QR codes with advanced customization options, analytics tracking, and professional URL management.
Creating Your First QR Code
- Navigate to our QR Generator
- Select your QR code type (URL, text, email, etc.)
- Enter the information you want to encode
- Customize your QR code design (optional)
- Download your QR code or save it to your account
QR Code Types
QR Catalyst supports a wide range of QR code types to meet your specific needs:
URL
Link to any website or web page
Text
Display plain text messages when scanned
Open email client with pre-filled address
Phone
Initiate phone calls when scanned
WiFi
Connect to WiFi networks automatically
vCard
Share contact information
SMS
Open messaging app with pre-filled text
Social Media
Link to profiles on WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok, etc.
Location
Show a specific location on maps
Event
Add events to calendar
Crypto
Share cryptocurrency payment information
PayPal
Link to PayPal payment pages
Static vs. Dynamic QR Codes
Static QR Codes
Static QR codes contain fixed information that cannot be changed after creation. Once generated, the encoded data is permanent.
- Free to create
- Cannot be edited after creation
- No analytics or tracking capabilities
- Requires reprinting if information changes
- Works offline (no internet required for scanning)
Dynamic QR Codes
Dynamic QR codes contain a short URL that redirects to your destination. This allows you to change the destination without changing the QR code itself.
- Content can be updated anytime without reprinting
- Comprehensive analytics (scans, locations, devices, etc.)
- Shorter URLs create less dense QR patterns
- Professional branded short links
- Scheduling and campaign management capabilities
- Requires internet connection when scanning
| Feature | Static QR Codes | Dynamic QR Codes |
|---|---|---|
| Editability | No - fixed content | Yes - update anytime |
| Analytics | None available | Comprehensive tracking |
| URL Length | Long URLs = dense codes | Short URLs = cleaner codes |
| Professional Appearance | Raw URLs visible | Branded short links |
| Internet Requirement | Works offline | Requires internet |
QR Code Customization
QR Catalyst offers extensive customization options to make your QR codes visually appealing and aligned with your brand identity:
Design Elements
- Shape Options: Square or circular QR codes
- Dot Types: Square, rounded, diamond, classy, and more
- Corner Styles: Customize the corner squares and dots
- Colors: Change dot color, background color, and corner colors
- Gradients: Apply color gradients to your QR code
- Background: Adjust background margin and roundness
Branding Options
- Logo Integration: Add your logo to the center of the QR code
- Image Upload: Upload custom images or use URL
- Icon Selection: Choose from our library of icons
- Image Size & Margin: Control logo placement and size
- Error Correction: Adjust error correction level for optimal scanning
- Pre-designed Themes: Classic, Ocean, Sunset, Forest, and more
Best Practices for Customization
- Maintain sufficient contrast between dots and background
- Don't make dots too small or too rounded
- Test your QR code on multiple devices before printing
- Use higher error correction when adding logos
- Keep logos small enough to preserve QR code readability
Analytics & Tracking
Dynamic QR codes provide valuable insights into how, when, and where your QR codes are being scanned:
Available Analytics
- Total Scans: Track the number of scans over time
- Geographic Data: See where your scans are coming from
- Device Information: Monitor which devices are scanning your codes
- Operating Systems: Track OS versions of scanning devices
- Browser Data: See which browsers are being used
- Referral Sources: Identify where users are finding your QR codes
- Time-based Analysis: View scan patterns by hour, day, or month
Using Analytics Effectively
- Identify peak scanning times to optimize marketing campaigns
- Target specific geographic regions based on scan data
- Optimize for the most common devices used by your audience
- Compare performance across different marketing channels
- A/B test different QR designs to maximize scan rates
Data Retention
Analytics data retention varies by subscription plan:
- Free: Basic analytics with limited history
- Starter: 2-year analytics retention
- Pro & Business: Extended analytics history with advanced filtering
Custom Domains
Available Domain Options
QR Catalyst offers several domain extensions for your dynamic links:
- lflow.co
- lflow.me
- lflow.dev
- linktr.io
- lflow.co
- qrc.page
- qrc.social
- qrc.events
- qrc.promo
- qrc.codes
- qrc.live
Different subscription tiers offer access to different domain options.
Using Your Own Domain
You can also use your own domain with QR Catalyst for a fully branded experience:
- Set up a subdomain (e.g., go.yourdomain.com)
- Create a CNAME record pointing to custom-domain.lflow.dev
- Create links normally in Linkflow using the lflow.dev extension
- Your links will be accessible via your custom subdomain
For detailed instructions, see our guide on setting up custom domains.
Plans & Pricing
Free Plan
- 5 Premium Links per month
- Unlimited scans tracked
- 4 Linkflow domain extensions
- Unlimited QR code generation
- Basic analytics retention
- Detailed scan analytics
- Custom URL prefixes and back-halfs
- Real-time updates
Starter Plan - $8/month
- 25 Premium Links per month
- Unlimited scans tracked
- 12 Linkflow domain extensions
- 2-year analytics retention
- Unlimited QR code generation
- Detailed scan analytics
- Custom URL prefixes and back-halfs
- Real-time updates
- Basic support
Additional Plans
We offer Pro and Business plans for users with more advanced needs. Visit our Pricing Page for complete details.
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
What is a QR code?
A QR code (Quick Response code) is a two-dimensional barcode that can be scanned by smartphones to quickly access information or websites. Unlike traditional barcodes, QR codes can store much more data and can be scanned from any direction.
How do I scan a QR code?
Most modern smartphones can scan QR codes directly through their camera apps. Simply open your camera, point it at the QR code, and tap the notification that appears. Some older phones may require a dedicated QR code scanning app.
Are QR codes safe to scan?
Generally, QR codes are safe to scan. However, like any link, they can potentially lead to malicious websites. QR Catalyst implements security checks to prevent malicious URLs from being created on our platform.
Creating & Customizing QR Codes
How do I create a QR code with Linkflow?
Simply navigate to our QR Generator, select your QR code type, enter your information, customize if desired, and download your QR code or save it to your account.
Can I add my logo to a QR code?
Yes, QR Catalyst allows you to add logos or images to the center of your QR codes. You can upload your own image or use our icon library. When adding logos, we recommend using a higher error correction level to ensure scannability.
Will customizing my QR code affect its scannability?
Excessive customization can potentially affect scannability. We recommend maintaining good contrast between dots and background, not making dots too small or rounded, and always testing your QR code on multiple devices before final use.
Dynamic QR Codes & Analytics
Can I track scans of my QR code?
Yes, our dynamic QR codes offer comprehensive analytics including total scans, geographic data, device information, and time-based analysis. Analytics are available on all plans, with more extensive data retention on paid plans.
Can I change where my QR code points to after creating it?
Yes, with dynamic QR codes you can change the destination URL anytime without needing to reprint the QR code. This is one of the main advantages of dynamic QR codes over static ones.
What information can I see in the analytics?
Our analytics show total scans, geographic location of scans, device types, operating systems, browsers, referral sources, and time-based patterns. This data helps you understand how, when, and where your QR codes are being used.
Technical Questions
What's the best size for printing QR codes?
While there's no strict size limit, we recommend keeping QR codes at least 2x2 cm (about 0.8x0.8 inches) for easy scanning. The scanning distance is approximately 10 times the width of the QR code.
What file formats can I download my QR code in?
QR Catalyst allows you to download your QR codes in SVG, PNG, JPEG, and WebP formats. SVG is recommended for print materials as it's a vector format that scales without losing quality.
Do I need an internet connection to use QR codes?
It depends on the type of QR code. Static QR codes can be scanned without an internet connection, but the content they link to (like websites) will require internet access. Dynamic QR codes always require an internet connection when scanning to redirect to the destination.
Account & Billing
Do I need an account to create QR codes?
No, you can create and download static QR codes without an account. However, to create dynamic QR codes with tracking capabilities or to save your QR codes for future editing, you'll need to create an account.
Can I upgrade or downgrade my plan later?
Yes, you can change your subscription plan at any time. When upgrading, you'll immediately gain access to the new features. When downgrading, your current plan will remain active until the end of your billing cycle.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept all major credit cards and PayPal for subscription payments. All transactions are securely processed through our payment provider.
Still Have Questions?
We're here to help! Contact our support team for assistance.