QR codes are a simple way to guide guests from their stay to your direct booking site, social media, or other channels. When placed strategically in your property, they make it easy for guests to rebook, share your listing, or stay connected after checkout.
This article explains how to use QR codes effectively, where to place them, and what to link them to.
What QR Codes Are Used For
QR codes let guests quickly access links by scanning them with their phone camera.
Hosts typically use them to:
Send guests to their direct booking site
Promote social media pages
Encourage repeat bookings
Make it easy to share the property with others
Creating Your QR Code
Hospitable does not generate QR codes. Use a free third-party tool to create them.
Free tools to get started:
Canva — offers customisable QR code designs that match your brand
Google QR Code Generator
QR-Code-Generator.com
Adobe Express
Generate one QR code per destination URL. If your site URL changes, you’ll need to regenerate any affected codes.
What to Link Your QR Codes To
Direct booking site (recommended)
Your primary QR code should link to your Hospitable direct booking site.
Use your custom domain if available
Make sure the link loads quickly and works on mobile
Test regularly to avoid broken links
Social media (optional)
You can also create a second QR code for:
Instagram or other social platforms
Guest engagement and sharing
Building a following for future bookings
Where to Place QR Codes
Place QR codes where guests naturally look during their stay.
High-impact locations
Back of the front door
Refrigerator
Coffee station
Checkout instructions area
Best practices
Use printed materials (e.g. 8.5" × 11")
Include a short instruction like “Scan with your phone camera”
Make the code large enough to scan easily (at least 1" × 1")
What to Include on Your QR Code Sign
A clear and simple layout works best.
Include:
A short headline (e.g. “Book Direct Next Time”)
The QR code
A short explanation of what happens after scanning
Your property or brand name
Avoid overcrowding the design with too many links or instructions.
Important Guidelines
Always follow the policies of platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, or Booking.com. Do not encourage guests to cancel existing bookings to rebook direct.
Use QR codes to:
Encourage future bookings
Build your brand and guest relationships
Provide an easy way to return to your site
Do not use QR codes to:
Move existing bookings off-platform
Bypass platform rules or agreements
Tips for Better Results
Test your QR codes regularly
Keep designs simple and easy to scan
Limit to 1–2 QR codes per property
Update links if your domain or pages change
Measuring Performance
You can track how effective your QR codes are by monitoring:
Direct site traffic
Repeat bookings
Social media engagement
Some QR code tools also provide scan analytics.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using low-quality or hard-to-scan codes
Placing codes in low-visibility areas
Linking to the wrong or outdated pages
Adding too many QR codes in one space
Key Things to Know
QR codes help convert past guests into repeat direct bookings
Your direct booking site should be the primary destination
Placement and clarity matter more than design complexity
QR codes support long-term growth, not immediate booking changes