Marketing campaigns move fast. You might print thousands of brochures only to realize the landing page URL changed, or perhaps you launched a seasonal promotion and now need to update the destination without reprinting every piece of signage. In the past, a mistake like this required a costly reprint.
Understanding how to edit a QR Code gives you the flexibility to fix errors, update campaigns in real-time, and refine designs even after materials go to print. Bitly provides a robust platform that simplifies this process. This guide explores exactly how to maintain campaign agility and keep your marketing materials relevant with editable QR Codes.
Note: The brands and examples discussed below were found during our online research for this article.
How to edit a QR Code in Bitly: Quick overview
You can edit a QR Code in Bitly in just a few steps. The most important thing to remember is that this capability relies on Dynamic QR Codes. Unlike their static counterparts, dynamic codes allow you to change the destination URL behind the scenes without altering the pixel pattern of the printed code itself.
Here is the high-level process:
- Log in to your Bitly account.
- Navigate to the QR Codes section of your dashboard.
- Find the specific code you wish to update.
- Select the pencil icon and choose Redirect in the Edit QR Code menu.
- Enter your new destination URL.
- Select Save changes to update the code instantly.
We will cover the detailed, step-by-step instructions later in this article.
What parts of a QR Code can you edit?
Understanding what you can and cannot change depends entirely on the type of QR Code you use. If you use a Static QR Code, the data is hard-coded directly into the pattern. You cannot change it once you generate the code. If you need to update a static code, you must create a new one and reprint your materials.
Dynamic QR Codes work differently. They point to a short URL that redirects to your final destination. Because the QR Code only stores the short URL, you can change where that short URL points as often as you like. Understanding the distinction between Static vs. Dynamic QR Codes is vital for modern marketing campaigns.
When you use Bitly, you gain control over three primary elements of your QR Code:
- Link or destination: Update where your QR Code points.
- Design and appearance: Adjust colors, frames, and logos to match your brand.
- Tracking and analytics settings: Customize UTM parameters and view real-time performance data.
Content
Strictly speaking, you do not edit the QR Code itself to change the content. You edit the asset at the destination that the code leads to. The QR Code acts as a doorway. You can change the room behind the door without changing the door itself.
This means you can update a restaurant menu PDF, refresh a seasonal product catalog, or correct a typo on a landing page address without touching the QR Code. The user experience remains seamless. This capability allows you to keep your QR Code content fresh and relevant.
For example, a real estate agent could use a QR Code on a “For Sale” sign that links to details about the listing. When the house sells, they simply replace the listing details at that URL with their main portfolio page or a contact form.
Link or destination
The most common reason to edit a QR Code is to change the destination URL. This is the specific web address where a user lands after scanning the code.
In your Bitly QR Codes > Edit menu, you can select the Redirect option to send scanners to a completely new page. This feature is incredibly powerful for marketing campaigns that evolve over time. You might start a campaign pointing to a “Coming Soon” teaser page. On launch day, you redirect that same code to the live product page. Once the launch window closes, you might redirect it again to a “Sign Up for Updates” form.
Using Dynamic QR Codes remains one of the key multi-location QR Code campaign best practices because the flexibility saves you from the nightmare of a reprint. Imagine printing 50,000 product packages with a QR Code that points to a broken link. With Dynamic QR Codes, you can solve such a problem in seconds.
Design
You can also modify the visual appearance of your QR Code. Bitly allows you to customize the color, pattern, frame text, and logo associated with your code.
Perhaps your brand undergoes a visual refresh, or you want to update your codes to match a holiday theme. You can adjust the foreground and background colors to match your new palette, and you can swap out the logo in the center of the code.
However, you must exercise caution when editing the design of an existing QR Code. If you change the design drastically, you must ensure it remains scannable. While the underlying data (the short link) remains the same, shifting colors too much during creative QR Code design work might reduce contrast. Always ensure you maintain high contrast between the code and the background.
Tracking and performance
While not a visual edit, you can also modify how you track the performance of your code. Dynamic QR Codes allow you to append or update UTM tracking parameters on your destination link.
This flexibility means you can refine your data collection strategy mid-campaign. If you realize you need to track traffic from a specific geographic region separately, you can update the destination URL to include a new utm_source or utm_campaign tag. This technique allows you to track scans and attribute traffic accurately on the Bitly Analytics dashboard or in Google Analytics and your CRM.
Implementing Short Links and QR Codes across enterprise teams doesn’t have to be difficult, especially with Bitly in your corner. Enterprise teams often use this feature of Dynamic QR Codes to standardize tracking across different departments, as marketing operations can update tracking parameters without needing the design team to regenerate the code image.
How to edit a QR Code with Bitly (step by step)
This process specifically applies to Dynamic QR Codes, which are the standard for flexible marketing. Follow these steps to update your destination or design without disrupting your active campaigns.
Step 1: Log in to Bitly
Log in to your Bitly account or create one to access editing features and other QR Code solutions.
Step 2: Locate the QR Code
Once you are in the dashboard, navigate to the QR Codes section in the left-hand menu. This view displays all the codes you have created.
If you manage a large account with hundreds of codes, you can search by the title you gave the code or by the destination URL. Proper organization here saves time for enterprise teams managing extensive printed materials.
Step 3: Update destination URL
To change where the code leads, look for the edit options associated with your specific code.
- Click the pencil icon next to your code.
- Select the option labeled Redirect.
- A field will appear displaying the current destination. Clear this field and paste your new website URL or landing page link.
- Confirm the change by selecting Save changes.
The update happens instantly. Anyone scanning your printed QR Codes from this moment forward will arrive at the new page you just specified. This capability effectively eliminates the risk of “dead” links on product packaging or expensive signage.
Step 4: Customize the Design
To update the look of your code, return to your QR Code list menu but switch your focus to the palette icon.
- Select the pallet icon next to the QR Code you want to update.
- The Customize design menu will open, where you can adjust the pattern style, corner shapes, colors, logo, and frame.
- Update the colors to match your current campaign. Remember to keep the foreground dark and the background light for the best compatibility with smartphones.
- Upload a new logo or icon for the center of the code if desired.
Branded codes build trust. A user is more likely to scan a code that features a recognizable logo and brand colors than a generic black-and-white square.
Step 5: Save and test
Once you finish your design updates, select Save changes. Do not skip the testing phase.
- Take out your phone and scan the code on your screen.
- Check that it directs to the correct webpage.
- Verify that the design is readable.
We recommend testing with both iOS and Android devices to ensure broad compatibility. You want to guarantee a high-quality user experience for everyone who interacts with your brand. Once you are sure the changes you’ve made have been effective, you can download the new version of your QR Code as a PNG, SVG, or JPEG file by selecting your preferred format from the dropdown menu.
Best practices for managing editable QR Codes
Having the power to edit your codes is fantastic, but you need a strategy to manage them effectively. Without a plan, you might accidentally redirect a live code that customers still use.
- Establish Naming Conventions: Give every QR Code a clear, descriptive name in the Bitly interface. Instead of “QR Code 1,” name it “Summer 2025 Menu – Downtown Location.” This approach prevents confusion when you need to make quick edits.
- Set a Schedule for Reviews: Periodically audit your active QR Codes. Check if the destination URL is still relevant. If a campaign ended months ago, redirect that traffic to your homepage or a current offer on a mobile-friendly Bitly Pages microsite rather than letting it hit a 404 error page.
- Monitor Analytics: Use Bitly Analytics to watch for scan spikes. If you see sudden activity on an old code, it might mean a piece of old marketing material resurfaced. You can then update that code to capitalize on the renewed interest.
- Test Before You Print: Even though you can edit later, you should always verify the link before sending a file to the printer. Editing is a safety net, not a replacement for quality assurance.
- Coordinate with Your Team: In large organizations, ensure that the person editing the link communicates with the person managing the physical inventory. You do not want to redirect a code on a business card while the sales rep is still handing them out, unless the new link is a direct upgrade.
For more strategies on managing codes across different locations and teams, refer to our guide on multi-location QR Code campaign best practices.
Create more flexible QR Codes with Bitly
The modern marketing landscape demands agility. You cannot afford to let a typo or a change in strategy derail a campaign. Editable QR Codes provide the safety net and flexibility you need to move fast and break nothing.
Bitly gives you the power to manage your connections with confidence. Whether you need to redirect traffic from an expired offer, update your contact info, or refresh your brand visuals, our platform makes it simple. You save money on reprints, save time on campaign management, and ensure your customers always find the right content.
Start editing your QR Codes today with Bitly. Sign in now to find the right solution for your business.
Frequently asked questions
Can I edit a QR Code after printing?
Yes, provided it is a Dynamic QR Code. Bitly QR Codes are dynamic, meaning you can change the destination URL at any time without needing to reprint the physical code. This works for codes on business cards, signage, and product packaging.
What is the difference between editing and re-creating a QR Code?
Editing modifies an existing code’s behavior or look while keeping the same data pattern and short link. Once you understand how to edit a QR Code, fixing issues mid-campaign is simple. Re-creating involves generating a completely new QR Code with a new data pattern. Re-creating requires you to replace the physical image wherever you display it, whereas editing allows the existing image to remain in place.
Why can’t I edit my QR Code link?
If you cannot edit the link, you are likely using a Static QR Code created by a different generator. Static codes embed the final URL directly into the pattern. To fix this, you must switch to a dynamic code solution like the codes Bitly provides.
Are Bitly QR Codes always dynamic?
Yes. When you generate a code with Bitly, we link it to a unique short link, just like the links created using our URL Shortener. This architecture ensures that you always maintain control over the destination, making every Bitly Code a flexible, editable tool for your marketing campaigns.
