How to Use a QR Code for Your Airbnb

You can include a variety of different kinds of QR codes in your Airbnb, all of which aim to improve your customers’ experiences by providing them with a more convenient environment through which to contact you. 

You can use QR codes for:

• Digital guidebooks
• WiFi connections
• Appliance guidelines
• Improved listings
• Improved feedback 

Digital Guidebooks

Including a printed guidebook within your Airbnb is traditionally very common. It can be a great way of providing recommendations about any local restaurants, activities, or attractions that customers can visit while staying at your property. 

At the same time, printed guidebooks can be inconvenient to produce because they are not editable and can also be lost easily. 

Including a PDF QR code that directs users to the same information digitally can solve this problem for several reasons. These include:

• Less risk of losing the QR code: Even if it is lost, the PDF document will be downloaded on the users' devices, and the host will be able to easily replace it for their next clients. 
• More convenient: Users can have access to the information “on the go” without having to carry a large guidebook with them
• Potentially editable: If you are using a dynamic QR code, you can make updates post-print, meaning that you won’t need to issue new QR codes or printed guidebooks if any information within your document needs to be updated (e.g., if a nearby restaurant shuts down, etc.). 

WiFi Connections

WiFi QR codes can be printed out and included within an Airbnb property to allow visitors to log in to the WiFi with a simple scan. This means that they will not need to manually look up and type in any long or tedious WiFi passwords, which can make for a much more user-friendly experience. 

At the same time, using WiFi QR codes can increase security for the property hosts, as they will not need to disclose their network’s WiFi password to any visitors. 

Appliances Guidelines

Appliance guidelines can be included to ensure that your clients are not frustrated as a result of being unable to use essential areas of your Airbnb (e.g., washing machines, dishwashers, dryers, etc.). 

QR codes can be used to provide step-by-step guidelines when it comes to how to operate and/or fix appliances. This can be done in several ways, including:

• Image QR codes can direct users to a gallery of different images that display each step and include written instructions.
• YouTube QR codes: Can direct users towards a YouTube link where you provide an explainer video that explains how to resolve a particular issue. 

Improved Listings

Including video content (i.e., an immerse property tour) within your Airbnb listing can go a long way in increasing the number of persons that are interested in using your property. 

Since Airbnb does not allow any hosts to include videos within the listing — or even include links that direct users towards videos — hosts can include YouTube QR codes within their Airbnb image gallery. 

Any prospective guests will then be able to quickly scan the code in order to be instantly directed towards a house-tour YouTube video. This can provide a much more immersive overview of the property in question, as it highlights the property’s most attractive features.

Better Reviews and Feedback

QR codes can be used to facilitate the process of receiving feedback from your guests. 

This can be extremely beneficial because it means that you will receive quickly and so should be able to resolve them significantly faster. 

If you come off as a responsive and caring host, you are much more likely to improve your star ratings and increase the number of persons that are interested in joining your Airbnb property. 

Tip: When using QR codes, make sure to include a small call to action that lets prospective guests know why they should scan your code.

To make QR codes for your Airbnb, you will need to follow these steps:

• Find an online QR code generator that offers all of your desired QR code types
• Customize your QR codes by adding your logo and choosing colors that align with your logo
• Download, print, and share your QR codes within your Airbnb property

QR Code Generators

Finding the right QR code generator for your Airbnb comes down to three factors. These include price, customization capabilities, and types of QR codes.

You will need to find a QR code generator that is capable of creating all of the types of QR codes that you want. This can save you a lot of time in the long run, as you do not want to be shuffling between different QR code generators with different customization capabilities. 

Similarly, you will want to avoid any online QR code generator that includes its logo within your QR codes, as this can make your brand look unprofessional. 

To find the perfect QR code generator for all of your Airbnb property needs, see our guide on the best QR code generators for 2024.

Customizing QR Codes

You should be able to include your business’s logo and choose whatever combination of colors best aligns with your brand with the vast majority of QR code generators. 

When customizing your QR codes, remember to choose colors that follow a similar contrast to the traditional black and white QR code. This can ensure that you will not face any QR code scanning problems.

Downloading, Printing, and Sharing QR Codes

After you have downloaded your QR code in your preferred format, you will be able to print it in the same way as you would any other image. 

There are a few rules that you should keep in mind, particularly when it comes to the QR code’s size. You want to avoid making it too small — as this can make it virtually unscannable for many QR code readers.

At the same time, making it too large can result in users having practical difficulties when attempting to fit the entire barcode within their device’s camera.

When sharing your QR code within your property, make sure that you place it on a straight surface. Ideally, it will be placed at an eye-level height to make the scanning experience as user-friendly as possible.

Recommended: Want to learn more? See our guide on how to print a QR code.

You can use QR codes to blend your printed and digital marketing means. This can significantly expand your marketing reach and direct traffic towards your listing.

For example, you may choose to include a QR code in brochures, flyers, or billboards. Any readers that are interested in your property will be able to instantly scan your QR code and be directed to your online listing. 

This is important for two reasons:

• The online listing will include more information about your website, including images.
• The online listing can be used to make bookings directly. 

This can mean that you experience a much higher rate of conversions and obtain a much better return-on-investment holistically when it comes to your marketing strategies. 

At the same time, you can use email or phone number QR codes to ensure that any prospective guests can easily get in contact with you if they need to enquire about further information or make any suggestions.