Google Review QR Codes: Complete Setup Guide for Local Businesses

Your Customers Want to Leave Reviews. They Just Won't Open a Browser to Do It.

Here's a number that should stop you cold: 63% of consumers say they'd leave a review if asked, but fewer than 10% actually follow through when the process involves more than two steps.

The gap isn't motivation. It's friction.

A customer finishes a great meal, checks out of your hotel, or picks up their car from your shop. They're happy. They'd genuinely tell people about it. But by the time they get home, open Google, search for your business, find the right listing, and tap "Write a review" - the moment is gone. Life moved on.

A Google review QR code collapses that entire journey into a single scan. Point your phone, land on the review form. That's it.

Businesses that deploy QR codes strategically report 2x to 4x more reviews per month compared to verbal-only requests. And since reviews directly influence your local search rankings, every additional review compounds over time.

This guide covers everything: generating your review link, creating the QR code, designing it properly, placing it where it actually gets scanned, and tracking whether it's working.

The Short Answer

A Google review QR code is a scannable image that sends customers directly to your Google review form. You generate your unique review link using your Google Place ID, convert it to a QR code with any free tool, then print or display it wherever customers interact with your business. The whole setup takes under 15 minutes.

Why QR Codes Work (and Why Most Businesses Underuse Them)

The psychology here is straightforward: people act on impulse when the path of least resistance is right in front of them.

Traditional review requests fail because they create a task. "Leave us a Google review" means: remember to do this later, find the business on Google, navigate to the review section, write something. Each step is a dropout point.

A QR code converts that task into a reflex. Scan, tap, type. The customer is already holding their phone. The review form is already open. The only thing left is writing a few sentences while the experience is still fresh.

There's also a timing advantage. The best moment to ask for a review is immediately after a positive interaction - when the customer is still in your space, still feeling good. A QR code on a receipt, a table tent, or a checkout counter captures that window. An email follow-up sent three days later does not.

The businesses that struggle with review volume aren't failing to ask. They're asking at the wrong time, through the wrong channel, with too many steps between the ask and the action.

QR codes solve all three problems at once. That's why they're one of the highest-leverage tactics in local SEO review strategy.

Step-by-Step: Creating and Deploying Your Google Review QR Code

Step 1: Find Your Google Place ID

Your Place ID is the unique identifier Google uses for your business listing. You need it to build the direct review link.

1. Go to Google's Place ID Finder
2. Type your business name and city into the search field
3. Click your business in the results
4. Copy the Place ID that appears below the map (it looks like: ChIJN1t_tDeuEmsRUsoyG83frY4)

Keep this somewhere accessible. You'll use it in the next step.

Step 2: Build Your Direct Review Link

Paste your Place ID into this URL template:

https://search.google.com/local/writereview?placeid=YOUR_PLACE_ID

Replace YOUR_PLACE_ID with the ID you copied. Test the link in your browser - it should open Google Maps and jump straight to the review form for your business.

If it works, you have your review link. Save it.

Step 3: Generate the QR Code

Several free tools create QR codes without requiring an account:

• QR Code Generator (qr-code-generator.com) - Clean interface, PNG and SVG export, no signup
• QRCode Monkey (qrcode-monkey.com) - Allows logo embedding and color customization
• Canva - Good if you're already designing print materials there
• Adobe Express - Free tier includes QR code generation

Paste your review link into any of these tools and generate the code. Download the highest resolution available - you'll want at least 1000x1000 pixels for print use.

Step 4: Design It Properly

A QR code that doesn't scan is worse than no QR code. It creates frustration right at the moment you want goodwill.

Size rules:

• Minimum 1 inch x 1 inch for close-range scanning (receipts, table tents)
• At least 2 inches x 2 inches for anything scanned from arm's length
• 4+ inches for wall signage or window displays

Contrast rules:

• Dark code on light background, always. Never reverse this.
• Avoid printing on busy patterns or photos
• Leave a clear white margin (called the "quiet zone") around all four sides - at least 4 modules wide

Logo embedding: Most QR code generators let you place a logo in the center. This is fine - QR codes have built-in error correction that handles up to 30% obstruction. Keep your logo under 20% of the total code area.

Color: You can use brand colors instead of black, but test before printing. Dark navy, forest green, and deep burgundy all work. Light colors, pastels, and anything close to white will fail.

Always include a call-to-action. "Scan to leave a Google review" or "Share your experience" printed above or below the code dramatically increases scan rates. People don't automatically know what a QR code does or where it leads.

Step 5: Add UTM Parameters for Tracking

Before generating your QR code, add UTM parameters to your review link so you can track which placements drive the most scans.

https://search.google.com/local/writereview?placeid=YOUR_PLACE_ID&utm_source=qr_code&utm_medium=print&utm_campaign=receipt

Change utm_campaign for each placement: receipt, table_tent, window, business_card, etc.

You won't see this data in Google Analytics (since the destination is Google's domain, not yours), but you can use a URL shortener like Bitly to wrap the link first. Bitly's free tier shows scan counts per link, so you can compare performance across placements.

Create a separate short link for each physical location if you have multiple sites. This tells you which location is generating reviews, not just which placement type.

Step 6: Print and Place

Print on matte stock when possible - glossy surfaces create glare that interferes with scanning. For outdoor use, laminate the QR code or use weatherproof vinyl.

Test every printed version with at least two different phones before distributing. Camera apps vary, and what scans perfectly on an iPhone may struggle on an older Android.

How Different Businesses Are Using Review QR Codes

Restaurants and Cafes

The receipt is the obvious placement, but it's not always the best one. Customers often pocket receipts without looking at them.

More effective: a small table tent or card holder at each table with the QR code facing the customer during their meal. They see it while they're still enjoying the experience, not after they've mentally moved on.

One tactic that works well: place the QR code on the back of the menu. Customers handle the menu multiple times during a visit. A simple line - "Enjoyed your meal? Scan to share your experience on Google" - catches them at peak satisfaction.

For takeout and delivery, print the QR code on the bag itself or on a small insert card. The moment a customer opens their order and it looks great is exactly when you want them to scan.

Hotels and Accommodation

The checkout process is the natural moment, but it's also rushed. Guests are thinking about their bags, their transport, their next destination.

Better placements: the in-room welcome card, the bathroom vanity (where guests spend quiet time), and the key card sleeve. Some hotels print QR codes on the back of the TV remote holder - guests see it every time they reach for the remote.

For extended stays, a mid-stay card left by housekeeping ("Enjoying your stay? We'd love to hear from you") catches guests before they've mentally checked out.

Retail Shops

The point-of-sale counter is prime real estate. A small acrylic stand with the QR code next to the card reader catches customers while they're waiting for the transaction to process - a moment of idle attention.

Packaging inserts work well for products that get opened at home. A small card inside the box with "Love your new [product]? Tell others on Google" reaches customers at the moment of first use, often their highest satisfaction point.

For boutiques and specialty stores, a QR code near the fitting room or product display area captures browsers who are engaged but haven't purchased yet. They may not buy today, but if they've had a good experience, they might still leave a review.

Service Businesses (Salons, Auto Shops, Contractors)

The moment right after service completion is your best window. A card handed to the customer with their invoice - "We'd love your feedback" with a QR code - is simple and effective.

For contractors and home service businesses, a follow-up card left at the job site works well. Customers often show their home improvements to friends and family. A card on the counter or fridge keeps the review request visible for days.

Salons and spas can place QR codes at the styling station or near the checkout mirror. Customers are often looking at their reflection, feeling good about the result - that's the moment.

QR Code Placement Checklist

Use this before finalizing your deployment:

Design

• Minimum 1 inch x 1 inch for close-range placements
• Dark code on white or light background
• Quiet zone (white margin) on all four sides
• Logo under 20% of code area if used
• Call-to-action text above or below the code
• Tested on at least two different phones

Link

• Place ID verified and link tested in browser
• UTM parameters added for tracking
• Short link created (Bitly or similar) for scan counting
• Separate links for each placement type or location

Print

• Matte finish for indoor use
• Laminated or weatherproof for outdoor use
• High resolution (300 DPI minimum for print)
• Tested printed version before mass production

Placement

• Visible at natural eye level or hand level
• Adequate lighting (no shadows, no glare)
• Not obstructed by other items
• Accessible to customers without asking staff

Alternatives to Consider

• NFC tags for tech-forward placements (tap instead of scan)
• Digital display version for screens and tablets
• Email signature version for follow-up communications

A Note on NFC Tags

NFC (Near Field Communication) tags are small chips that trigger an action when tapped with a compatible phone. They work like QR codes but require no camera - just a tap.

You can program an NFC tag with your Google review link for around $0.50 to $2 per tag. Embed them in table tents, counter displays, or even business cards.

The limitation: NFC requires a compatible phone (most modern smartphones qualify) and the customer needs to know to tap. QR codes are more universally understood right now. The best approach is to use both - a QR code for visual scanning and an NFC tag embedded in the same display for customers who prefer tapping.

Common Mistakes That Kill Scan Rates

Too small. A QR code printed at half an inch is essentially useless. Customers won't crouch down or hold their phone at an awkward angle. If it's not easy to scan from a natural position, it won't get scanned.

Bad lighting. A QR code in a dim corner, under a flickering light, or behind a reflective surface will fail. Test your placements at different times of day.

No context. A QR code with no explanation gets ignored. People don't know if it leads to a menu, a website, a coupon, or something else. Always label it.

Broken links. If your Google Business Profile URL changes or your Place ID link stops working, every printed QR code becomes dead weight. Check your links monthly.

Asking too late. A QR code on a follow-up email sent a week after the visit is far less effective than one handed to the customer in the moment. Physical placements win because they catch customers at peak satisfaction.

Forgetting to ask verbally too. QR codes work best as a complement to a verbal ask, not a replacement. "We'd really appreciate a Google review - there's a QR code on your receipt that takes you straight there" converts better than a silent QR code alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find my Google review link?

Go to Google's Place ID Finder, search for your business, and copy your Place ID. Then build this URL: https://search.google.com/local/writereview?placeid=YOUR_PLACE_ID. Test it in your browser to confirm it opens your review form directly.

What's the best free QR code generator for Google reviews?

QR Code Generator (qr-code-generator.com) and QRCode Monkey are both free, require no signup, and export high-resolution files suitable for print. QRCode Monkey adds logo embedding and color options if you want a branded look.

How big should a Google review QR code be?

At minimum, 1 inch x 1 inch for close-range scanning like receipts or table cards. Use 2 inches or larger for anything scanned from arm's length. For wall signage or window displays, go 4 inches or bigger.

Can I track how many people scan my QR code?

Yes. Wrap your review link in a Bitly short link before generating the QR code. Bitly's free tier tracks total scans per link. Create a separate short link for each placement (receipt, table tent, window) to compare performance.

Do QR codes expire?

Static QR codes (where the destination URL is encoded directly) never expire. Dynamic QR codes (managed through a platform) can expire if you stop paying for the service. For Google review QR codes, use static codes generated from free tools - they'll work indefinitely as long as your Google Business Profile stays active.

What's the difference between a QR code and an NFC tag for reviews?

A QR code is scanned with a phone camera. An NFC tag is tapped with a phone. Both can link to your Google review form. QR codes are more universally understood and cheaper to produce (just print them). NFC tags cost $0.50-$2 each but offer a more seamless experience for customers who know how to use them. Many businesses use both.

How many reviews can I expect from a QR code?

Results vary widely by industry and placement quality. Restaurants with table tents typically see 3-8 additional reviews per month per location. Service businesses that hand QR code cards directly to customers after service often see higher conversion. The key variables are placement visibility, timing (in-moment vs. follow-up), and whether staff verbally reinforce the ask.

Putting It All Together

A Google review QR code is one of the simplest, highest-ROI tools available to local businesses. The setup takes 15 minutes. The ongoing cost is essentially zero. And the compounding effect on your local search visibility builds month over month.

The businesses that win at local SEO aren't necessarily the ones with the best product. They're the ones that make it easiest for happy customers to say so publicly.

Start with one placement - your receipt or your checkout counter. Test it for 30 days. Then expand to two or three more locations based on what you learn.

If you want to go further, pairing your QR code strategy with a system that monitors incoming reviews, tracks sentiment trends, and flags reviews that need responses turns a passive collection tactic into an active reputation management program. Reputic does exactly that - bringing all your review activity into one dashboard so nothing slips through.

But the QR code itself? That's free, fast, and works starting today.

For more on building a complete review strategy that moves the needle on local rankings, read our guide on how to ask customers for reviews and how many Google reviews you need to rank.