To get customers to scan your QR code, put it where they wait, tell them exactly what they get, and have staff mention it at checkout. A clear offer like "Scan for a free 10th coffee" beats a bare code every time. Most phones scan with the normal camera, so there is nothing to install.
Where should you put your QR code?
Put it where people stand still for a few seconds. That is the counter, right next to the card reader. People look down at the reader while they pay. Your code should be in that same line of sight.
Good spots, in rough order:
- 🧾 Next to the card reader. Everyone looks here.
- ☕ The pickup counter. People wait here with nothing to do.
- 🪑 Table tents. Great for sit-down spots and patios.
- 🚪 The front door or window. Good for awareness, weak for scans. People are on the move.
Skip the back wall behind the till. It is too far to scan and too busy to notice.
What should a QR code poster say?
It should say what the customer gets, in plain words, in one line. "Join our loyalty program" is vague. "Buy 9 lattes, get the 10th free" is a reason to pull out a phone.
A good poster has three parts:
- The reward. Big and first.
- How easy it is. "No app. Takes 10 seconds."
- What to do. "Point your camera here."
Keep the words short. Nobody reads a paragraph while holding a hot drink.
How big should the QR code be?
Big enough to scan from where the customer is already standing. If they have to lean over the counter, many won't bother. On a counter sign, a code a few inches across usually does the job.
A few more print tips:
- Dark code on a light background. Don't flip the colours.
- Leave a plain border of white space around the code.
- Matte paper or a matte sleeve. Shiny plastic causes glare under shop lights.
What should staff say to get more scans?
One short line at checkout does more than any poster. A poster is easy to ignore. A friendly person pointing at it is not.
Give your team one line to use. Keep it the same so it becomes a habit:
The second line works well on people you already know by name. They are the ones who will fill a card fastest.
For more on getting your team comfortable with this, see how to get your staff on board.
Should you give a bonus stamp for joining?
Yes, a sign-up bonus is a simple nudge. "Get 1 free stamp just for joining" means the card is not empty on day one. A card that is already started feels worth finishing.
Keep the bonus small. One stamp is plenty. You want people to come back, not to get a free drink for scanning.
Why are people not scanning your code?
Most of the time, it is one of these:
- Nobody mentions it. Fix: the one-line ask above.
- The offer is fuzzy. Fix: name the actual reward.
- It looks like work. Fix: say "no app" and "10 seconds" right on the sign.
- It is in the wrong spot. Fix: move it next to the card reader.
- Sign-up asks too much. Fix: ask for a first name only. More on that in why a first name is enough.
What happens after someone scans?
The scan should open a short page, not an app store. With a wallet card, the customer types a first name and taps "Add to Wallet". The card then sits in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet next to their boarding passes and tickets.
That last step matters. A card in the wallet is one they carry everywhere. A paper card often ends up in the wash.
How does Regulars help with QR code posters?
Regulars makes a counter poster with your QR code for you on every plan. Customers scan it with their camera, type a first name, and add the card to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. On the Growth and Pro plans, you also get AI-designed custom posters (5 a month on Growth, 20 on Pro), so you can swap in a fresh look for the season.
Want the full picture first? See how it works. Then print your poster, put it by the till, and keep on truckin'. ✌️
Questions people ask
Where is the best place to put a loyalty QR code?
Put it where customers stand still and wait, like the counter by the card reader or the pickup spot. Eye level and within arm's reach works best.
How big should a QR code be on a counter poster?
Big enough to scan from where the customer stands without leaning in. On a counter sign, a code a few inches wide is a good start. Test it with an older phone from a normal distance.
What should a QR code poster say?
Say what the customer gets and how fast it is. For example: Scan to get your free 10th coffee. No app, 10 seconds.
Why are customers not scanning my QR code?
Usually the code is in the wrong spot, the offer is not clear, or nobody mentions it. A one-line ask from staff at checkout fixes most of it.
Do customers need an app to scan a QR code?
No. Most iPhone and Android phones scan QR codes with the regular camera app.
