Do I need a paid plan to use tracking analytics?

No! QRTracker's free plan includes basic tracking analytics. Paid plans unlock advanced features like unlimited historical data, custom reports, API access, and priority support.

How accurate is the location tracking?

Location accuracy varies: Country-level is 99%+ accurate, region/state is 95%+ accurate, and city-level is 80-90% accurate. We use IP geolocation, which provides reliable data while maintaining user privacy.

Can I track QR codes created before I signed up?

Only if they were created as dynamic QR codes with QRTracker. Static QR codes cannot be tracked retroactively. To enable tracking on old codes, create new dynamic versions and replace them.

How long is tracking data stored?

Free plans retain data for 90 days. Pro plans store data indefinitely. You can export data anytime in CSV, JSON, or PDF formats for your own long-term archival.

Setting Up Tracking and Analytics for QR Code Campaigns

Last updated: November 2, 2024

QRTracker.io makes it easy to set up comprehensive tracking for your QR code campaigns. In just 15 minutes, you can enable tracking, configure analytics, and start monitoring real-time performance data including scan counts, geographic locations, device types, and user behavior patterns. This guide walks you through the complete setup process from enabling tracking to configuring your analytics dashboard for campaign monitoring and ROI measurement.

Step 1 – Enable Tracking When Creating Your QR Code

Tracking must be enabled during QR code creation. Here's how:

Navigate to the QR Code Generator
Enter your destination URL or content
Toggle ON "Enable Tracking" – This is the critical step that converts your QR code to a dynamic, trackable version
Notice the tracking URL appears (e.g., qrtracker.io/s/abc123)

Important: Static QR codes (created without tracking enabled) cannot be tracked retroactively. Always enable tracking before generating if you want analytics data.

Step 2 – Add UTM Parameters for Campaign Attribution

UTM parameters help you track QR code performance in Google Analytics and attribute conversions accurately. Add these to your destination URL:

https://yoursite.com/landing?utm_source=qr_code&utm_medium=print&utm_campaign=summer_sale_2024&utm_content=mall_poster_a

utm_source:Traffic source (e.g., qr_code, poster, packaging)

utm_medium:Marketing medium (e.g., print, digital, event)

utm_campaign:Campaign name (e.g., summer_sale_2024)

utm_content:Variant identifier (e.g., version_a, blue_poster)

Why use UTM parameters?

Track QR code traffic separately from other sources in Google Analytics
Compare performance across different QR code placements
Attribute conversions and sales to specific QR campaigns
A/B test different designs or locations with unique content tags

Step 3 – Name Your Campaign for Easy Organization

Use a clear, descriptive naming convention for your QR codes. This helps you quickly identify campaigns in your analytics dashboard.

Recommended Naming Convention:

[channel]_[location]_[material]_[variant]_[date]

Good: Print_Mall_Poster_A_2024Q1

Good: Packaging_Bottle_V2_Summer2024

Good: Event_TradeShow_Booth_March2024

Bad: QR Code 1

Bad: test

Step 4 – Configure Your Analytics Dashboard

Once your QR code is deployed and receiving scans, access your analytics dashboard at qrtracker.io/track:

Real-Time Scan Monitoring

View live scan counts, see scans as they happen, and monitor campaign traction in real-time. Perfect for events or time-sensitive promotions.

Device & Browser Breakdown

See what devices (iPhone, Android, tablet, desktop) and browsers your audience uses. Optimize your landing pages based on this data.

Geographic Analytics

View scan locations by country, region, and city. Identify unexpected markets and validate physical placement effectiveness.

Time-Based Patterns

Analyze hourly and daily scan trends. Discover peak engagement times and optimize content freshness accordingly.

For a complete walkthrough of dashboard features, see our guide: Understanding QR Code Analytics Dashboard.

Step 5 – Set Up Custom Alerts and Automated Reports

Stay informed about campaign performance without constantly checking your dashboard:

Email Alerts (Pro Feature)

Scan Milestones: Get notified when you hit 100, 500, 1,000, or custom scan thresholds
Daily Summaries: Receive end-of-day reports with total scans and key metrics
Anomaly Detection: Alerts for unusual scan patterns (sudden spikes or drops)
Low Performance Warnings: Get notified if campaigns underperform expectations

Automated Weekly Reports

Schedule comprehensive PDF or CSV reports delivered to your inbox every Monday:

Week-over-week scan growth
Top performing QR codes
Geographic distribution changes
Device trend analysis
Conversion rate tracking (if configured)

Step 6 – Integrate with Google Analytics (Optional but Recommended)

Connect QRTracker data with Google Analytics for comprehensive attribution:

Ensure UTM Parameters Are Set: All QR code destination URLs should include UTM tags
Create Custom Segments: In Google Analytics, create a segment forutm_source = qr_code
Set Up Goals: Define conversion goals (purchases, sign-ups, downloads) and track QR-driven conversions
Build Custom Reports: Create GA4 reports specifically for QR code traffic analysis
Enable Enhanced Ecommerce: Track revenue directly attributed to QR scans

Pro Tip: Use both QRTracker analytics (for scan-level data) and Google Analytics (for post-scan behavior). QRTracker tells you WHO scanned, WHERE, and WHEN. Google Analytics tells you what they did AFTER scanning.

Troubleshooting Common Tracking Issues

Issue: No Analytics Data Appearing

Cause: Tracking wasn't enabled when QR code was created

Solution: Regenerate the QR code with "Enable Tracking" turned ON. Static codes cannot be tracked.

Issue: Scan Counts Seem Low

Cause: Privacy blockers or ad blockers prevent ~5-10% of tracking

Solution: This is normal. Your actual scan count is slightly higher than reported. QRTracker's redirect-based tracking captures 90-95% of scans.

Issue: Location Data Inaccurate

Cause: VPNs or corporate networks can mask true location

Solution: City-level accuracy is 80-90%. Use country/region data for reliable geographic insights. VPN usage affects ~10-15% of scans.

Tracking Setup Checklist

✓ Enable tracking toggle when creating QR code
✓ Add UTM parameters to destination URL
✓ Use descriptive campaign naming convention
✓ Test QR code to verify tracking works
✓ Configure analytics dashboard view preferences
✓ Set up email alerts for milestones (Pro)
✓ Schedule automated weekly reports (Pro)
✓ Integrate with Google Analytics (optional)
✓ Document campaign goals and KPIs