How I Started Using QR Codes to Simplify My Workflow (and Why You Might, Too)
🧠 The Shift That Got Me Thinking About QR Codes
It started with a small frustration.
I was preparing to host a workshop, and I wanted to share some links — reading material, a short quiz, and a signup form — with participants. Printing these things out felt clunky. Sending emails meant some would get lost or opened too late.
What I needed was simple: a fast, low-friction way to connect offline people to online content.
That’s when I dusted off an old idea: QR codes.
Not the kind with ugly branding or clunky redirection. Just clean, instant, scannable links. And surprisingly, they still work. Really well.
🕸️ The Tool That Made It Click
In the past, I’d tried a few QR generators, but most were bloated or tried to upsell me at every step. What I use now is something much simpler: QR Spider.
It’s a free, browser-based QR code tool — no sign-up, no spam.
You just:
Paste a link (or switch to exam mode to build a quiz)
Customize the style if you want
Download the code
That’s it.
There’s even an “Exam Mode” if you're a teacher, coach, or trainer — you can write a few questions directly on the site, generate a scannable test, and use it without any third-party tools.
You can try it here:
https://qrspider.com/
📚 Why It’s More Useful Than I Expected
Here are a few ways I’ve started using QR codes regularly:
🧾 On printed handouts: Participants can scan and open full links or PDFs instantly.
🎓 To distribute micro-quizzes: Using the built-in test feature, I’ve run short assessments without Google Forms or paper.
🎤 During talks or events: I show a QR on the last slide to share slides or further reading.
🛍️ For physical products: Link to a user guide or post-sale survey printed directly on packaging.
💡 Small Tech, Big Impact
We talk a lot about automation, AI, APIs, and workflows — but sometimes, a low-tech tool like a QR code solves a surprisingly modern problem: getting people to the right place at the right time.
If you're looking for a no-fuss way to do just that, QR Spider is a great place to start.
I’ve now made it part of my toolkit — especially when I want things to just work.
✂️ P.S. Bonus: It's also a good way to avoid saying, “The link is in your email” for the hundredth time.