Bridge the physical and digital worlds with QR Codes on product packaging

  • Spark interest and drive brand engagement by offering how-to videos or virtual try-on experiences via QR Codes on product packaging.
  • Drive offline browsers to your online store and showcase related products your customers might like thanks to customized QR Codes.
  • Elevate the unboxing experience and foster loyalty by offering customers special discounts and rewards through QR Codes on package inserts.
Video game box with QR code for instructions on how to pair controller

Use 2D Barcodes to better inform consumers

  • Build brand trust by utilizing 2D Barcodes to share care instructions, product details, ingredient sourcing, and other valuable information.
  • Forge instant customer connections through mobile scans that lead to reviews or related items for purchase.
  • Showcase your sustainable business practices and help shoppers make informed purchases with 2D Barcodes printed directly on packaging.
Short link and QR code to purchase controller

Measure all your offline interactions with robust analytics

  • Analyze scans across your entire product line with Bitly Analytics to better understand consumer preferences and geographic trends.
  • Get insights into when, where, and which products consumers are scanning over time so you can deliver more personalized experiences.
  • Track packaging scan data from shelf to purchase and see which products or content destinations are influencing buying decisions.
Bitly Analytics dashboard

Reach consumers everywhere with the Bitly Connections Platform

  • Unleash the potential of your packaging by using Bitly’s API to generate 2D Barcodes across thousands of products.
  • View scan engagement and track the customer journey over time—all in one dashboard.
  • Tap into the tools you already know and love with Bitly’s 800+ integrations.
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The Bitly Connections Platform

Use our URL shortener, QR Codes, and landing pages to engage your audience and connect them to the right information. Build, edit, and track it all in the Bitly Connections Platform.

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A comprehensive solution to help make every point of connection between your content and your audience more powerful.

Popular URL Shortening Features

  • URL shortening at scale
  • AI-generated custom domains
  • URL redirects
  • Advanced analytics & tracking

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QR Code solutions for every customer, business and brand experience.

Popular QR Code Features

  • Fully customizable QR Codes
  • Dynamic QR Codes
  • QR Code types & destination options
  • Advanced analytics & tracking

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Bitly Pages helps you create engaging, mobile-optimized landing pages in minutes.

Popular Landing Page Features

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  • Customizable landing page
  • Easy-to-manage links
  • Link and landing page tracking

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Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

How can Bitly Codes improve product packaging?

Bitly Codes transform product packaging from containment and protection tools to gateways to a world of information. They connect packaging to digital experiences via URL, elevating customer experiences and improving business operations.

Here are some ways Bitly Codes can help your brand:

  • Provide instant access to pages with comprehensive product information and tutorials, saving customers the hassle of manually searching for them.
  • Connect target audiences to promotions and loyalty program registration pages, potentially encouraging more purchases.
  • Unlock upselling opportunities by directing customers to products they may be interested in based on their purchases.
  • Provide product shelf life details, allowing for more effective inventory management.
  • Help you determine product locations—if you have multiple warehouses in different cities—through scan location data.
What types of content should brands link to from packaging QR Codes?

Any content that enhances the customer experience and drives deeper engagement. Some great examples include:

  • Product care instructions to help increase its lifespan.
  • Recipe ideas to offer added product value.
  • Brand videos, like behind-the-scenes production content or employee interviews, to build stronger relationships with your audience.
  • Product instructions and how-to guides to reduce confusion and enhance customer satisfaction.
  • User-generated content campaigns to show customers how others are using your products.
  • Feedback collection landing pages to gather insights on what’s working and what needs improvement.
  • Social media pages to grow your online community.
  • Pages with exclusive offers to encourage future purchases.
  • Loyalty program signup pages to build a stronger customer relationship.
Can we customize Bitly Codes to match our packaging design?

Of course. Bitly offers extensive customization capabilities depending on your plan, allowing you to align QR Codes with your packaging design.

With Bitly’s QR Code generator, you can use your packaging’s colors and even incorporate your business logo into QR Codes for a cohesive appearance. You can also choose unique patterns and frames to make your QR Codes stand out.

How does Bitly Analytics help us understand engagement with product packaging?

Bitly Analytics gives you real-time insights into how your audience interacts with your product packaging through scan data. You get access to a range of key engagement metrics, including:

  • Total scans: Lets you see which products, content, QR Code designs, or promotions are driving the most scans so you can tailor experiences accordingly. For example, if QR Codes linking to product information receive fewer scans than those pointing to behind-the-scenes footage, you can shift your strategy and use more brand-driven video content to boost engagement.
  • Scans by location: Identifies your highest-performing markets to help optimize campaign strategies. If City A drives more scans than City B, you can replicate what you’re doing in City A to increase engagement in City B.
  • Scans by device: Shows which devices your target audience uses, so you can tailor content accordingly. For example, if scans mostly come from mobile phones, you can prioritize mobile-friendly formats to improve engagement.
Do Bitly Codes still work if we need to redirect the link later?

Yes! Bitly Codes are Dynamic QR Codes. This means you can redirect them as many times as your plan allows, pointing to new destinations without reprinting packaging. This capability comes in handy in various situations, such as:

  • If you make a mistake, like linking your code to the wrong destination.
  • If you initially linked your code to a webpage with a limited-time offer, but the offer period has ended.
  • If you want to share new content to improve customer engagement.

The redirect feature helps you save on packaging costs and respond quickly to scan data. If you find that customers engage more with brand stories, for example, you can instantly update your QR Code destination to match—no reprinting required.

Can I track QR Code scans by product or SKU?

Yes. However, you first need to organize QR Codes by adding relevant titles (based on details like product line, campaign, or region) during the creation process. When you do, you can use Bitly’s search or filter features to quickly find a specific product’s scan data.

Bitly also streamlines tracking by letting you add tags to associated short links. To do this, go to Links, find your QR Code’s short link, and tap + Add tag. Tags also make it easier to search and filter links.

What formats can I download Bitly Codes for printing?

Bitly offers three high-resolution, print-ready download formats for packaging: PNG, JPEG, and SVG.

Different file formats may be better suited for your packaging based on factors like surface size and color contrast. If you’re unsure, download and test each version on your packaging to see which scans most easily.

Do Bitly Codes expire?

No. Bitly Codes are permanent, making them ideal for long-term packaging use. Whether scanned hours after production or years later, they reliably direct users to the intended destinations as long as the code remains active.

However, you can expire Bitly Codes yourself by deleting their short links. If you do, people who scan the codes will receive a 404 error message.

Note that you can’t delete edited or redirected QR Codes and short links, but you can redirect them again to an alternative URL.

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and customers today

Knowing how your clicks and scans are performing should be as easy as making them. Track, analyze, and optimize all your connections in one place.

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