What Should Go Behind One QR Code? A Destination-Planning Guide

Start with the Visitor’s Task

Ask: “Does this resource support the visitor’s task, or am I adding it simply because the business has it?” Define the job of this QR before selecting destinations.

The task might be to find one resource, compare closely related resources, or choose among a small set of relevant next steps. These are planning possibilities, not predictions about what visitors will do.

One GreenQR Link QR can open one GreenQR Link page containing several destination links. Visitors choose among them. This guide focuses on selecting those destinations; linked resources and services remain external.

Identify the Primary Resource

If the visitor could open only one resource, which one matters most for this QR’s purpose? Write down that resource and the reason it belongs.

This is a human planning decision. “Primary” describes its role in the task, not its position on the page or a measured performance result. It does not mean GreenQR Link automatically ranks or recommends the resource.

Identify Supporting Resources

A supporting resource should help complete the same visitor task. Ask what it contributes that the primary resource does not already provide.

Illustrative examples include a contact page supporting a service page, a setup guide supporting a product resource, or a professional profile supporting a portfolio. These are possible relationships between existing external resources, not customer evidence or native GreenQR Link services.

Sort Candidates into Three Groups

Essential: directly needed for the QR’s purpose.

Supporting / optional: useful in the same context, but not necessary for every visitor.

Unrelated: does not support the specific task and should usually stay off this page.

These are planning labels, not GreenQR Link features. For each candidate, record its role and why it belongs. An optional resource still needs a relevant reason to be included.

What Should Stay Off the Page

A destination can be legitimate for the business without belonging behind this QR. Exclude unrelated social profiles, duplicate destinations, obsolete pages, expired campaign resources, and links added only because they exist.

Also check whether a resource still matches the printed prompt. Do not include a destination that contradicts what the item says the QR will open. Selection should follow the task rather than turn the page into a complete business directory.

Recognize When One Direct Destination Is Enough

If the selection process leaves only one genuinely useful resource, a direct destination may be simpler than presenting a page of choices. The visitor can reach that resource without first selecting it from a link page.

Read When Should One QR Code Replace a Printed Link List? for the fuller direct-destination versus multi-link decision.

Illustrative Selection Exercise

A local consultant is preparing a printed leave-behind whose stated purpose is to share their work and a way to get in touch. The candidate resources are a portfolio, contact page, personal social account, old webinar page, and unrelated store page.

Primary: retain the portfolio because viewing the consultant’s work is central to this item’s purpose.

Supporting: retain the contact page because it provides a relevant way to ask about that work.

Rejected: leave out the old webinar page because it is obsolete and the unrelated store page because it does not support this professional task. Leave out the personal social account if it provides no relevant professional context.

The portfolio and contact page are existing external destinations. The selection depends on this item’s purpose; it is not a required setup for every consultant.

This is an illustrative example, not a customer case study or performance result.

Check the Retained External Resources

Open each retained resource. Confirm that it is available, contains the expected information, still supports the QR’s purpose, and matches the label that will describe it.

A working URL alone does not mean the destination belongs. Check the content and its relevance as well as whether the page loads.

Use Descriptive Labels

The visible label should describe the resource that opens. Choose wording that distinguishes the retained destinations without relying on vague labels such as “Explore.”

For fuller page organization guidance after selection, see Smart QR Landing Pages.

Reconsider the Set When the Task Changes

If the QR’s purpose changes, reconsider the destination set instead of automatically adding more links. Existing Link blocks can be edited or removed. Check whether the retained resources and printed prompt still fit the revised purpose.

A printed QR can remain usable after destination edits only if it still opens the same available GreenQR Link page URL. Updating page content does not visually change the printed QR image.

Destination-Selection Checklist

• What is the visitor’s task?
• What is the primary resource?
• Which supporting resources serve the same task?
• Which candidates are unrelated or obsolete?
• Is one direct destination enough?
• Does each retained external resource still work and remain relevant?
• Does each label describe what opens?
• Would I still include this link if the business did not already own it?