Every local business has a Google Business Profile — but most use less than 10% of its potential. A happy customer walks out, you never ask for a review, and the competitor who does ask climbs the Maps ranking while you stay put.
A QR Code on your counter, receipt or packaging changes that: the customer scans it, lands on your profile and can leave a star rating in under 30 seconds. No link to write down, no searching on Google.
This tutorial shows you how to get the right link for your profile, generate the QR on Code2Scan, and where to place it for real results.
What is Google Business Profile
Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is the listing that appears on Google Search and Google Maps when someone searches your name or category ("restaurant near me"). It shows:
- Reviews and star rating (the stars that influence ranking)
- Opening hours
- Phone number and call button
- Address with Maps directions
- Photos of the space, menu, or products
- Posts and offers (weekly news, promotions, events)
More reviews = higher rating = better Maps position = more organic customers. That's the virtuous cycle a QR Code helps activate.
Use cases for a profile QR Code
| Goal | Customer action |
|---|---|
| Leave a star review | Opens profile → taps "Write a review" |
| Check opening hours and phone | Sees it on the listing |
| Get directions | Taps "Directions" |
| Browse photos | Scrolls through photos |
| See a promotion or post | Views the posts feed |
One QR Code leads to the full profile. Unlike a direct review QR Code, this one takes the customer to the whole listing — great when you want them to explore everything, not just leave a star.
How to get your profile link
Option 1 — Via Google Search
- Search your business name on Google (signed in to the account managing the profile).
- In the owner panel, click "Share".
- Copy the short link (
g.page/YourBusiness).
Option 2 — Via Google Maps
- Open Google Maps and find your business.
- Click the name → three-dot menu → "Share".
- Copy the link.
Option 3 — Direct review link
If the focus is reviews, go to your profile panel → "Get more reviews" → copy the specific review link. It takes the customer straight to the star rating form. See the full tutorial on getting 5-star Google reviews.
How to create the QR Code on Code2Scan
- Go to /en/qr-code-link (link QR generator).
- Paste your profile link in the URL field.
- Customize: brand color, center logo, format (PNG, SVG, PDF).
- Click "Generate QR Code".
- Download and test with your phone camera before printing.
Tip: use a dynamic QR Code if you want to track how many people scanned it and from which touchpoint. That way you know whether the receipt QR outperforms the counter QR. Learn more in trackable QR codes with UTM.
Where to place the QR Code
| Location | Why it works |
|---|---|
| Service counter | Happy customer at the right moment |
| Receipt / invoice | They take it home, scan later |
| Product packaging | Unboxing moment — satisfaction is high |
| Restaurant table | Customer waits for the check, scans |
| Business card | Takes the profile in their pocket |
| Menu (cover or back) | High exposure, low cost |
| Storefront / entrance | New customers and tourists discover you |
For a printed QR to work well, follow the minimum size rule: at least 1 inch × 1 inch (2.5 cm), with a clear quiet zone around it.
Best practices for getting reviews
- Ask every customer — not just the ones who seem happy. Google's policy prohibits "review gating" (filtering who you ask).
- Ask at the right moment: right after a good experience, not days later.
- Add text next to the QR: "Enjoyed your visit? Rate us on Google — takes 30 seconds." or "Your feedback helps us improve!"
- Reply to all reviews (positive and negative) — it shows the business is active and Google rewards it.
- Do not offer rewards for reviews — it violates Google's terms and can result in profile removal.
Full step-by-step (from scratch to printed)
- Access your profile: search your business on Google and confirm it appears correctly.
- Copy the link: use the "Share" option as described above.
- Generate the QR: /en/qr-code-link → paste link → customize → download.
- Test: scan with two different phones (iOS and Android).
- Add a call-to-action: "Scan to rate us on Google" right above or below the QR.
- Print or stick: counter, receipt, table, packaging — wherever the customer is happy.
- Track: if you used a dynamic QR, check the scan dashboard weekly.
Difference between this QR and a pure review QR
| Full Profile QR | Direct Review QR |
|---|---|
| Leads to full listing | Leads straight to the star form |
| Customer sees hours, photos, posts | Customer only sees the rating field |
| Great for new customers | Great for returning customers |
Link: g.page/YourBusiness |
Specific "Write a review" link |
Use the review QR when the goal is just stars. Use the profile QR when you want full engagement.
Common mistakes
❌ Using a very long Google Maps URL
Links like https://www.google.com/maps/place/.../@40.7,-74.0,12z/... are huge and create very dense QR Codes — hard to scan when printed small. Always use the short link (g.page/...) or the share link.
❌ Static QR with no tracking
You place it in 3 different spots and have no idea which one drives results. With a dynamic QR + UTM, you track each touchpoint separately.
❌ Forgetting to test before printing
Printing 200 receipts with a broken link is money wasted. Always test the QR on two phones before sending to print.
❌ Only asking visibly happy customers
That is review gating and violates Google's policy. Ask everyone equally and genuinely.
❌ QR without context
A QR Code alone does not engage people. Always add a line: "Scan to rate us on Google" or "See hours and contact info."
Summary
- Get the short link to your Google Business Profile (via the "Share" button).
- Generate the QR Code at /en/qr-code-link in your brand color.
- Place it at the right spots: counter, receipt, packaging, table, business card.
- Add a call-to-action text next to the QR.
- Use a dynamic QR to track which spot drives the most scans.
- Ask every customer for a review — without filtering.
Also check out the QR Code for Google Maps location if you want new customers to find their way to you.
Want to systematically boost your Google reviews? Use Code2Scan's Google Review Booster — create QR campaigns, monitor reviews, and reply to everything in one place.
