GoDaddy How to create QR code for payments in 2026

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Will a QR code for payments help your venture? Well, consider this: According to recent data, roughly 41% of Americans say they no longer carry cash, but  98% of them say they do carry a mobile phone.  

Digital payments are becoming increasingly common. In fact, the payment processing market is projected to reach approximately $198 billion by 2032, up from $65.6 billion in 2022.

This means that relying on cash purchases alone could be leaving revenue on the table. Setting up a QR code for payment gives customers a quick, convenient way to pay using a device they already have with them.

Below, we’ll explain how QR code payments work, what to know about security and costs, and how to set them up step by step using Pay Links. We’ll also cover practical use cases for different types of businesses and answer common questions about accepting QR code payments.

What are QR code payments?​

A QR code, short for “quick response” code, is similar to the UPC barcodes you see at the supermarket. However, QR codes use a more complex matrix that can store significantly more information. When scanned with a smartphone, they can direct users to a website, online application, payment page, digital menu, and more.

QR codes were invented in 1994 for use in the automotive industry, but their speed and versatility eventually led to much broader adoption. Today, businesses use them for everything from sharing restaurant menus and collecting customer information to accepting payments.

For small businesses, QR code payments offer a simple way to connect customers to a digital checkout experience. Event coordinators, fundraising organizations, pop-up shops, and farmers market vendors, for example, can display a QR code on a sign or poster that customers scan to access a payment page. This can be especially useful for businesses looking for ways to get invoices paid faster or accept payments without relying solely on a traditional POS system.

Their usefulness extends beyond everyday merchant transactions. QR codes can also facilitate peer-to-peer transfers, charitable donations, paid subscriptions, and other types of digital transactions, making them a versatile payment option for small businesses.

Their use continues to grow as QR scanning becomes a familiar part of the mobile experience. According to eMarketer, more than 94 million U.S. consumers were expected to use smartphone QR scanners in 2023, with that figure projected to reach 102.6 million by 2026.

Mechanics and functionality of QR codes​

QR codes are able to store payment information in a machine-readable format. They use a matrix of black and white dots to encode data, which is then read by a smartphone camera and interpreted by QR reader apps. The payment details stored in the QR code allow the transaction to be processed securely without the need for cash or physical cards. 

Mobile payments — including those triggered by QR codes — generally fall into two categories: proximity payments (in-person transactions at POS systems, like scanning a code on a counter) and remote payments (online transactions, like scanning a code in an email or on a website). This makes them suitable for businesses with physical locations, online-only operations, or both.

How QR code payments work​

For customers, paying with a QR code is a simple process: scan the code, open the payment page, and confirm the transaction. Behind the scenes, the merchant, the customer’s device, and the payment processor work together to securely complete the payment.

1. The merchant displays a QR code. The code can be printed on a counter sign, table tent, receipt, or invoice, or displayed digitally on a smartphone, tablet, or other screen.
2. The customer scans the QR code. In most cases, they can use their phone’s built-in camera or a compatible banking or digital wallet app.
3. The payment flow opens. Depending on how the QR code is configured, it may direct the customer to a secure payment page, such as a GoDaddy Pay Link, or open a compatible payment app with relevant transaction details.
4. The customer enters or reviews the payment details. They may need to enter an amount or payment information, or the details may already be provided.
5. The customer authorizes the payment. Depending on the payment method, this could involve a PIN, password, fingerprint, facial recognition, or another form of authentication.
6. The payment is processed. The payment processor securely transmits the transaction for authorization. Once approved, the customer and merchant receive confirmation that the payment was successful.

The entire process can happen in seconds, giving customers a convenient way to pay without handling cash or physically exchanging a card. QR code payments can also help protect sensitive payment information because the transaction is handled digitally through the payment page or payment provider rather than shared directly with the merchant.

Benefits of accepting QR code payments​

QR code payments can make it easier for small businesses to accept payments while giving customers a convenient way to pay. They offer:

• Faster, contactless checkout: Customers can scan a code and complete their payment using their smartphone, helping simplify the checkout process and reduce wait times.
• Lower hardware costs: In many cases, businesses can accept QR code payments without investing in a dedicated card terminal or other payment hardware.
• More ways for customers to pay: QR codes give customers another convenient payment option, particularly when they do not have cash on hand.
• Fewer manual errors: Digital transactions can reduce some of the mistakes associated with handling cash or manually entering payment information.
• Useful payment insights: Depending on the provider, dynamic QR codes may provide access to transaction data and other insights that can help businesses understand payment activity.
• Simple setup: Creating and displaying a QR code typically requires minimal technical knowledge, making it accessible to businesses of many sizes.
• Secure transactions: QR code payments can connect customers to secure payment platforms that use safeguards such as encryption to help protect payment information.
• Flexible placement: Businesses can share QR codes in person, on invoices, on websites, through social media, or on printed materials.

With benefits like these, QR code payments can be a simple and flexible addition to your payment options. Next, we’ll walk through how to set them up.

How to generate a QR code for payments in 5 steps with GoDaddy Pay Links​

Now that you know how QR code payments work, it’s time to create one. GoDaddy Pay Links makes it simple to create a payment link, turn it into a QR code, and start accepting payments. With the free plan, your code can be live in minutes!

Step 1: Sign up for GoDaddy Pay Links​

Before signing up with a provider, do some research to find the best payment processor for your business. In addition to supporting QR code payments, look for features such as:

• PCI DSS compliance: Helps ensure card data is handled securely.
• Reliable uptime: Keeps customers from running into unnecessary interruptions during checkout.
• Easy integrations: Look for compatibility with tools you already use, such as your POS system, accounting software, or ecommerce platform.
• Transparent pricing: Understand processing rates and other costs so you know what you’ll pay for each transaction.
• Strong customer support: Reliable support can make it easier to resolve payment issues when they arise.
• Multiple currency support: If you serve international customers, look at the currencies and local payment methods a provider supports. Some modern payment providers support more than 100 currencies. Also consider whether you need automatic currency conversion and how the provider handles exchange rates.

GoDaddy Pay Links offers these capabilities while making it easy to create and share payment links through QR codes. Visit GoDaddy Pay Links to sign up for the free plan. It includes:

• Card processing at 2.9% plus 30 cents per Pay Link transaction
• A 1% processing fee for ACH bank transfers
• The ability to create and share Pay Links through email, text, QR codes, and social media
• The option to accept tips by percentage or amount
• Pay Links hosted on your own GoDaddy domain
• Access to Pay Links across the GoDaddy Commerce App, Invoicing, and Virtual Terminal

Businesses that want additional savings and payment features can explore the Pay Links Plus plan. At $9.99 per month, the Plus plan offers a discounted processing fee of 2.8% plus 30 cents per invoice transaction. It also includes Rate Saver for surcharging eligible credit card transactions and discounted ACH transfers.

Once you’ve selected your plan and created your account, you’re ready to set up the Pay Link that customers will access through your QR code.

Step 2: Create your payment link (set amount, tips, and ACH or card options)​

Once your account is set up, open your Pay Links dashboard and select Create Pay Link. You can then customize how customers will pay you.

• Set the payment amount: Choose a fixed price, such as $50 for a service, or allow customers to enter their own amount. The latter can be useful for tips, donations, or invoices with varying totals.
• Add a description: Clearly explain what the customer is paying for so they can review the details before completing the transaction.
• Enable tips: If tipping makes sense for your business, you can give customers the option to leave a tip based on a percentage or fixed amount.
• Choose your payment methods: Accept credit and debit cards for a 2.9% plus 30-cent processing fee, ACH bank transfers for a 1% processing fee, or both. For larger B2B invoices, ACH can help reduce processing costs while giving customers another secure way to pay.

Save your link, and Pay Links will host it on your own GoDaddy domain, meaning your customers see your brand, not a generic third-party checkout page.

Step 3: Convert your Pay Link into a QR code with one click​

Once you’ve created your Pay Link, click the QR code icon next to it to instantly generate a scannable QR code. You can then download the code to print or post wherever customers can easily scan it and pay.

There’s no need to use a third-party QR code generator or copy and paste your payment URL into another tool. GoDaddy generates the QR code directly from your Pay Link, so it’s ready to share in seconds.

Step 4: Customize, download, and brand your QR code​

Once your QR code is generated, you can customize and prepare it for use:

• Download your QR code as a high-resolution PNG for digital use or an SVG for print, which can be resized without losing quality.
• Add your logo to the center of the code. Many modern QR scanners can still read codes when a portion of the surface (typically up to 30%) is covered.
• Adjust the colors to complement your branding. Just be sure to maintain strong contrast, such as a dark code on a light background, so the QR code remains easy to scan.
• Test your QR code on multiple smartphones before sharing or printing it to make sure customers can scan it without issues.

Remember that size matters for printed QR codes. As a general guideline, keep QR codes at least 1 inch by 1 inch for tabletop use and 2 inches by 2 inches or larger for posters and signs that customers will scan from farther away.

Step 5: Share, display, and start accepting payments (email, text, social, print)​

Now comes the fun part: getting paid. Your Pay Links QR code can go wherever your customers are:

• Email: Add it to invoices, receipts, or follow-up emails.
• Text or SMS: Send it directly to customers for a quick mobile checkout experience.
• Social media: Share it on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok to give customers a direct path to payment.
• Print: Add it to counter displays, table tents, business cards, flyers, or packaging inserts.
• Store signage: Display it at checkout, on menus, or at self-service stations.

Here are a few ways you can make your QR code easier to use:

• Place the code at eye level when possible so customers can easily scan it with their phones.
• Pair it with clear instructions such as “Scan to Pay” so customers know exactly what to do.
• Consider using dynamic QR codes for printed materials so you can update the destination without having to reprint the code.
• Keep printed codes clean and undamaged, and replace worn or torn materials as needed.

When customers are ready to pay, they simply scan the code with their phone camera, open your Pay Link, and complete their payment securely.

How to create a QR code for different business scenarios​

QR code payments are flexible enough to work across a wide range of businesses and customer experiences. You can use them to simplify checkout, collect invoice payments, connect customers to your online store, and accept payments on the go. Here are a few ways to put QR code payments to work for your business:

For in-person retail and POS checkout​

Make paying easy by placing QR codes right where customers need them, such as on countertops, table tents, receipts, or product packaging. Pay Links works with the GoDaddy Commerce App and Smart Terminal, so QR codes can complement the other ways you already accept payments.

You don’t necessarily need a full POS setup, either. For smaller shops and sellers, a printed QR code on a countertop stand can give customers a simple way to scan and pay.

For invoices and B2B payments​

A QR code can also help make paying an invoice more convenient. Service providers and B2B sellers can add a code directly to a PDF invoice, allowing clients to scan it, open the corresponding Pay Link, and complete their payment from their phone.

For larger invoices, consider giving customers the option to pay through ACH, with a 1% Pay Links processing fee. The lower processing fee can help you save on payment costs compared with accepting the same amount by card. Check out these additional tips for how to get invoices paid faster.

For your online store or website​

QR codes can connect the physical and digital sides of your business. A customer might discover a product in person, scan a code, and continue their experience online.

Try adding QR codes to:

• Product packaging: Send customers to a reorder page, product reviews, or your loyalty program.
• Print catalogs and mailers: Give shoppers a direct path to products or checkout.
• Thank you cards and shipping inserts: Encourage customers to return to your store after their purchase.
• Pop-up product displays: Give in-person shoppers an easy way to continue browsing or buying online.

If you have a GoDaddy Online Store, you can also use QR codes to send customers from physical marketing materials to relevant pages on your website. It’s a simple way to combine real-world interactions with your online shopping experience.

Start an online store today

For service-based businesses (freelancers, consultants, contractors)​

QR codes can be especially useful when your business revolves around appointments, projects, or client relationships. Freelancers, consultants, photographers, contractors, and coaches can add them throughout the customer journey to make payments easier to access.

For example, you could add a QR code to:

• Business cards: Send clients to a Pay Link where they can book a service or pay a deposit.
• Email signatures: Give clients quick access to an invoice payment page.
• Project handoff documents: Make it easy to pay the final invoice once the work is complete.
• Client portals or websites: Give customers a convenient way to make deposits, retainer payments, or other payments.

Pay Links also offers flexible payment amounts and tipping options, so you can use them for deposits, retainers, milestone payments, and final invoices from one place.

Try GoDaddy’s Website Design Services​

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For events, pop-ups, and farmers markets​

When your business is on the move, QR codes can make it easier to take payments wherever you set up shop. Instead of relying solely on a traditional POS terminal, you can display a code that customers scan with their phones when they’re ready to pay. You may also want to consider:

• Displaying the QR code on multiple printed signs around your booth, table, or checkout area so it’s always easy to spot.
• Using a dynamic QR code if you want the flexibility to change its destination during an event.
• Keeping a printed backup handy in case your phone or tablet runs out of power.
• Allowing customers to enter their own payment amount when collecting donations or tips.

Depending on your provider, dynamic QR codes may also give you access to scan analytics. That data can help you see when customers are interacting with your codes and identify especially busy periods.

How to build your own QR code generator tool with GoDaddy Airo AI Builder​

Want a more customized way to use QR codes? GoDaddy Airo AI Builder can help you create a custom website, web app, or tool using simple prompts, no coding required.

For example, you could build a branded payment hub that brings several Pay Links together on one page, then use a single QR code to send customers there. Here’s how:

1. Describe what you want to build. Tell Airo what your tool should do, who it’s for, and any features you want to include. For example, you could ask it to create a mobile-friendly payment page with options to pay an invoice, leave a tip, or make a deposit.
2. Review and refine your project. Airo will generate an initial version based on your prompt. Preview the result, then continue chatting with Airo to adjust the layout, add your branding, or change how the page works.
3. Add your Pay Links. Connect each payment option to the appropriate GoDaddy Pay Link so customers can choose what they need from one central page.
4. Test the experience. Preview the page on different screen sizes and test each Pay Link to make sure everything works smoothly, especially on mobile devices.
5. Publish and share. Once your page is ready, publish it and create a QR code that directs customers to it. You can then add the code to invoices, signs, business cards, packaging, or other marketing materials.

As your payment needs change, you can return to Airo AI Builder to update your project or add new functionality without having to rebuild everything from scratch.

Are QR code payments secure? Key security features explained​

When you’re asking customers to scan a code and pay, security matters. The good news is that QR code payments from a trusted payment provider come with several safeguards designed to protect sensitive payment information throughout the transaction, such as:

• SSL encryption: Scrambles sensitive information as it travels between the customer’s device and the payment platform, helping keep it out of the wrong hands.
• Tokenization: Swaps sensitive payment details, such as a card number, for a unique token. That means the actual card information doesn’t need to be exposed during the transaction.
• Fraud prevention tools: Look for unusual or suspicious payment activity that could signal fraud.
• Two factor authentication: Adds another layer of protection by asking users to verify their identity in more than one way.
• Secure electronic payments: Electronic Funds Transfer, or EFT, payments move money through established electronic payment networks instead of relying on cash or checks.

Of course, a QR code is only as trustworthy as the payment experience behind it. Stick with a reputable payment provider, keep your account secure, and regularly check printed QR codes to make sure they haven’t been damaged or replaced.

How much does it cost to accept QR code payments?​

Creating a QR code itself typically doesn’t cost anything. The main cost comes from the payment processing fees charged when a customer completes a transaction.

Fees vary by provider, payment method, and plan, so it’s worth comparing your options before choosing a QR code payment solution. Below are a few popular ones.

Processor*	Published card fees	ACH or bank transfer	Notable notes
GoDaddy Pay Links	2.9% + 30¢	1%	Free plan, QR code sharing, and Pay Links hosted on your GoDaddy domain
PayPal	2.29% + 9¢ for QR code transactions	Varies by payment product	Dedicated QR code transaction pricing
Stripe	2.9% + 30¢ for online cards	0.8%, capped at $5	Flexible payment tools and APIs for custom payment experiences
Square	3.3% + 30¢ for Payment Links	1%, with a $1 minimum for ACH invoice payments	Payment Links can be converted into QR codes and connect with Square’s broader POS ecosystem
Venmo Business	1.9% + 10¢ for direct and QR code payments	N/A	No monthly fee for a business profile and personalized QR codes

*Prices and features are accurate at the time of posting and may change. Processing rates may also vary based on your plan, payment method, and other factors. Check each provider for the latest pricing.

GoDaddy Pay Links keeps things simple with a free plan that charges 2.9% plus 30 cents for card transactions and 1% for ACH transfers. If your business processes payments more frequently, Pay Links Plus offers discounted rates of 2.8% plus 30 cents for card transactions and 0.8% for ACH transfers, with a maximum ACH fee of $10 per transaction.*

As you compare providers, think about how your customers typically pay and the size of your average transaction. Card processing fees can add up quickly, especially on larger purchases. If you regularly send higher-value invoices, offering ACH payments can be an easy way to keep more of each payment.

Start accepting QR code payments today​

The easier it is for customers to pay, the easier it is to keep your business moving. QR code payments give customers a quick, convenient way to pay from their phones while giving you the flexibility to accept payments at checkout, through invoices, at events, and almost anywhere else you do business.

Getting started doesn’t have to be complicated, either. With GoDaddy Pay Links, you can create a payment link, turn it into a QR code, and share it wherever your customers are. And if you want to build a more customized payment experience, GoDaddy Airo AI Builder can help you create your own web-based tools without having to code them yourself.

Frequently asked questions​

What does QR stand for?
QR stands for “quick response,” which refers to the code’s ability to be scanned and decoded almost instantly by a smartphone camera. QR codes were invented in 1994 by the Japanese company Denso Wave. They were originally for tracking automotive parts before becoming the dominant format for mobile payments and information sharing.

Do QR code payments work without internet?
Not entirely. The QR code itself doesn’t need an internet connection to be displayed or scanned. However, customers generally need an internet connection to open the payment page and complete the transaction.

Can I use the same QR code for multiple payments?
Yes. If your QR code points to a reusable payment link, customers can scan the same code again and again. This makes reusable QR codes especially handy for tip jars, donations, recurring events, market stalls, and other situations where multiple customers need access to the same payment page. However, you will need a different QR code when each transaction requires unique information, such as a specific invoice number or payment amount.

Do QR codes expire?
It depends on the type. Static QR codes generally don’t expire as long as the URL or information they contain remains active. Dynamic QR codes may expire or stop working depending on the provider, plan, or settings you choose. A single-use QR code from the GoDaddy Commerce app remains live until the payment goes through.

Remember to test your QR codes regularly to make sure they still send customers to the right place.



*Disclaimer: All prices exclude applicable taxes and fees (including ICANN fees). GoDaddy Payments is conditioned on you accepting the GoDaddy Payments Terms and providing us with standard business details, such as contact information and industry type for our approval prior to payout.

Third-party logos and marks are registered trademarks of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

The Invoicing & Pay Links Plus free trial lasts for one calendar month and is valid for 1st time customers only. You can cancel at any time during the trial period without charge by selecting “Cancel Auto-renew” in your settings or by contacting customer service. After the trial period, Invoicing & Pay Links Plus will automatically renew for the selected auto-renewal period until canceled. If you cancel or terminate your Invoicing & Pay Links Plus plan, premium features will no longer be available, and your configuration settings may be reset.

Requires subscription to a plan. A credit surcharge is not available in all U.S. states. Not currently available for ecommerce transactions. Rate savings based on the average GoDaddy Payments customer transaction distribution. Actual rates may vary.

Lowest transaction fees compared to similar plans from Square, Shopify, and Stripe for card present and ecommerce card transactions.


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