WhatsApp QR Code: how to create one with a custom message
If you want to create a WhatsApp QR code, the process is simpler than most people think. You do not need a complex integration or a special app. At its core, it works with a short WhatsApp URL, your phone number, and optionally a prewritten message that appears before the user sends it.
That makes it a practical tool for stores, clinics, restaurants, freelancers, and service businesses that want to turn a printed surface into a direct conversation channel. Instead of asking people to save your number manually, you let them scan and open the chat instantly.
What a WhatsApp QR code actually is
A WhatsApp QR code is a QR code that opens a WhatsApp conversation with a specific phone number. Its value is speed. The fewer steps people need to take, the easier it is for them to contact you.
The basic structure uses this WhatsApp URL:
https://wa.me/YOURNUMBER
Your phone number must be written in international format, with no +, no spaces, no hyphens, and no brackets. For example, if your number is +34 600 123 123, the correct URL is:
https://wa.me/34600123123
Turn that link into a QR code and your WhatsApp QR code is ready.
How to add a custom WhatsApp message
This is where the setup becomes more useful. You can also prefill the first message so users do not have to start from an empty chat. That usually improves conversion because you guide the conversation from the first click.
The structure looks like this:
https://wa.me/YOURNUMBER?text=YOUR%20MESSAGE
Example:
https://wa.me/34600123123?text=Hello%2C%20I%20would%20like%20more%20information%20about%20your%20services
When the user scans the code, WhatsApp opens with that message already prepared.
This works especially well for:
- Quote requests.
- Appointment bookings.
- Customer support.
- Product availability questions.
- Orders and repeat purchases.
How to create it on this website
You can generate your WhatsApp QR code directly on Eventqode. Just choose the right QR type, enter your phone number, and add your custom message if you want the URL to open with preset text inside WhatsApp.
That means you can handle the full process in one place: create the correct link, convert it into a QR code, download it, and place it on packaging, flyers, menus, shop windows, business cards, or posters.
If your goal is speed, this is the simplest route. You build the URL once, generate the QR code, and use it right away.
When a WhatsApp QR code makes sense
A WhatsApp QR code works best when your conversion starts with a conversation rather than a long form. If people usually ask a question before buying, booking, or requesting help, this format removes friction.
It is especially useful on:
- Shop windows.
- Product packaging.
- Printed ads.
- Restaurant menus.
- Trade show stands.
- Business cards.
In all these cases, the user sees the code, scans it, and reaches your chat in seconds.
Common mistakes to avoid
Even though the setup is simple, these errors are common:
- Adding the
+sign or spaces to the number. - Writing the
wa.meURL incorrectly. - Leaving the message blank when a prompt would help.
- Printing the code too small.
- Forgetting a clear call to action next to the QR.
If you place a short prompt next to it, such as "Scan to contact us on WhatsApp" or "Scan to book by WhatsApp", usage usually improves because the next step is obvious.
Sign up free and track your QR analytics
If you want more than a basic QR code, you can now sign up for free in our app by clicking the Register button. That lets you move from simple generation to actual performance tracking.
With a free account you can monitor your QR analytics and understand how the code is performing. For example, you can review:
- How many people have viewed it.
- Where interactions are coming from.
- How many times it has been scanned.
- Which placements or campaigns generate the most activity.
That matters when you use the same WhatsApp QR code idea across different channels. A code on a storefront does not behave the same way as a code on a package insert, menu, flyer, or event stand. Analytics help you see the difference.
Conclusion
A WhatsApp QR code is one of the simplest ways to turn offline attention into a real conversation. The technical base is straightforward: wa.me plus your phone number. If you also add a custom message, you make the first contact easier and more intentional.
And if you want to go further, you can create it on this website and sign up for free in our app to track views, locations, and scans. That way you are not only generating a QR code. You are also measuring whether it works.