How to create it
Enter the number that should receive the messages, with country code. For keyword campaigns, this is the number your SMS provider gave you.
Write the message you want people to send, such as a keyword like JOIN or a short prepared sentence.
Keep the text short. It has to fit on a phone screen and should be easy to check before sending.
Scan the preview, send yourself a test message and confirm it arrives as expected.
Printing and placement
- On a counter sign or a till display, 4 to 5 cm works at the distance where people stand to pay.
- Explain what happens next to the code, for example “Text JOIN to get updates. Standard SMS rates apply”.
- In a waiting room, place the code near where people sit, so they can scan without standing up again.
Common mistakes
Assuming the message is sent automatically
The code fills in the message, it does not send it. If someone closes the app without tapping send, nothing reaches you.
Forgetting about charges
The sender pays for the SMS according to their own mobile plan. Abroad or with a premium number, this can be expensive, so state it clearly.
Using a number that cannot receive SMS
Many landline numbers cannot receive text messages. Use a mobile number or an SMS service number.
Typical uses
Opt-in lists: people text a keyword to join an update list. Your SMS provider handles the subscription; the code only saves typing. Data protection rules on consent still apply to whatever list you build.
Feedback and queues: a code at the exit can prefill “Feedback:” for quick comments, and a code at the reception of a service desk can send a message that puts the person in a ticket queue, if your system supports it.
Questions
This is a static QR code: the content sits in the code itself and works without our server.
Static and dynamic QR codes explainedWhich format does the code use?
It contains SMSTO:number:text, a format from the ZXing barcode library. The camera apps on iOS and Android open it in the messaging app.
Can the code send a WhatsApp message instead?
No, it opens the regular messaging app. For WhatsApp, create a link code with an address of the form https://wa.me/ followed by the number.
Can I leave the message empty?
Yes. The messaging app then opens with only the number filled in, and the person writes the text themselves.
Is there a limit on the text length?
The generator allows up to 500 characters. A single SMS holds 160 standard characters; longer texts are split into several messages and may cost the sender more.