If you’re looking to make your in-store checkout process faster and hassle-free, instant QR Code payments are the perfect solution.
With a quick smartphone scan, shoppers can jump straight to a linked payment page—whether at checkout or on the go. This smooth process not only enhances the customer experience but also boosts operational efficiency.
Quick Response (QR) Codes are adaptable, accessible, and a great fit across industries, whether you’re running a busy restaurant, a pop-up shop, or anything in between.
Here, we’ll look at how QR Codes can streamline your payment process, save you time, and keep your modern-day customers happy.
Note: The brands and examples discussed below were found during our online research for this article.
Instant payments are changing how businesses operate
Today’s tech-savvy consumers expect speed and efficiency in their shopping experience. Instant QR Code payments are transforming transactions, making them quicker, smoother, and more intuitive. Here’s why instant payment options are a must for businesses in the digital age.
Shorter waiting times
Customers don’t want to waste time standing in long lines or dealing with slow, complicated checkout processes. In fact, 82% of consumers will avoid visiting a business due to lines.
QR Code payments reduce transaction times to just a few seconds. Customers simply scan the code with their smartphone, which takes them directly to a secure payment page via URL.
No need for cash handling or manual card entry—they can complete their purchase using stored payment details from their mobile wallet or select an alternative payment method like Venmo or Paypal, making the process both fast and easy.
Switching to instant QR Code payment systems helps improve service efficiency, resulting in happier customers, less employee stress, and shorter wait times.
Flexibility for businesses of all sizes
QR Code payments aren’t just for large retailers—they’re ideal for businesses of all sizes, from small shops and restaurants to freelancers. Setting up a payment QR Code is quick and easy, requiring no complex equipment or technical expertise.
Unlike card readers, QR Codes only require a compatible smartphone, making it easy to accept digital payments anywhere without extra hardware. This is especially convenient for businesses without a brick-and-mortar storefront, as well as those that sell at pop-ups, fairs, conferences, and other events.
Growing demand for cashless transactions
The demand for cashless transactions continues to grow, with more consumers opting for digital payments. This shift is particularly pronounced among younger adults, with 85% of Gen Zers and 82% of Millennials favoring contactless payment options.
QR Codes provide a simple, low-cost way to accept these digital payments, and they’re a secure alternative to handling cash or storing sensitive card information. By linking to a trusted third-party payment processor, these codes help minimize fraud risks, ensuring safer transactions for both customers and businesses.
Where to use QR Codes for instant payment options
There are plenty of creative ways to use QR Codes for faster payments. Here are some ideas for implementing them in your business.
Point-of-sale (POS) terminals for easy checkout
One of the simplest ways to use QR Codes in retail is at your checkout counter. They can serve as an alternative to traditional POS systems, providing an efficient solution for stores, restaurants, and other brick-and-mortar businesses.
Instead of using cash or a physical card, customers scan the code with their mobile device. This directs them to a payment page where they can pay instantly, whether through a digital wallet, a bank account transfer, or a peer-to-peer payment service like Venmo or Zelle.
This method offers customers a fast, convenient way to make purchases without needing to swipe debit cards or use cash. It also helps speed up transaction times, improving operational efficiency. For best results, include signage near the checkout counter with instructions on how to use the QR Code for in-store payments.
Product packaging and receipts for post-purchase payments
Many service providers accept payments after the service has been provided. For example, a B2B consultant may send clients an invoice at the end of a project instead of requiring upfront payment. An auto repair shop might provide an estimate when customers drop their car off, but they don’t need to pay until the service is complete.
In these cases, businesses can use QR Codes to facilitate post-purchase payments. The code can be placed directly on the invoice, receipt, or even on the product packaging so customers can scan it to complete the transaction.
This approach works well because customers can settle their bills from their mobile phones at their convenience—it’s simple, straightforward, and intuitive.
Tables, menus, and hotel rooms for hospitality payments
In the hospitality industry, restaurants, hotels, and event venues can use QR Codes to streamline payments, removing friction and enhancing the customer experience. As of 2022, 24% of restaurants were using QR Codes for menus, ordering, or payments.
This approach speeds up the process for both patrons and the business, allowing customers to order and pay quickly without waiting for a server. It also helps restaurants turn tables faster, increasing revenue potential. Customers can leave as soon as they’re ready—just scan, pay, and go—reducing wait times and improving overall efficiency.
For theaters and event venues, codes on tables or seats allow guests to order and pay for snacks, drinks, or even merchandise without missing a minute of the action.
Billboards, posters, and other ads for impulse buys
Another effective use case for QR Code instant payments is incorporating them into your physical marketing materials, such as billboards, posters, or print ads.
Interested customers can scan the code to visit your ecommerce site and instantly purchase the products featured in the ad. This is particularly useful during limited-time promotions, where creating a sense of urgency can encourage quick actions.
It’s also great for nonprofit donation campaigns. In your promotional materials, you can include a QR Code that links to an online payment processor where viewers can make immediate contributions.
Transportation hubs for fast ticketing and toll payments
For busy travelers, every minute matters. Instant payment QR Codes make transactions faster and help everything run smoothly. Toll booths, for example, might use QR Codes to let drivers pay instantly using their digital wallets.
QR Codes can also streamline parking payments. Drivers can scan a code to pay and claim their parking spot without rushing to a meter. They can even top up their reservations directly from their phones, making the process more convenient.
QR Code payments aren’t just for drivers—they’re also a game-changer for public transportation. Customers can scan a code to purchase tickets or pay fees instantly, without waiting in line or delaying other travelers.
Pop-up shops and market stalls for instant mobile payments
Pop-up shops and market stalls are fun and lucrative ways for small businesses to connect with local communities, and using QR Codes for instant mobile payments can make the experience even better for both sellers and customers.
Instead of lugging a bulky credit card processor around and making sure you have enough change for cash payments, add a QR Code to your booth that links directly to your online payment portal. With a quick scan, customers can pay using their mobile wallets, stored card details, or even a peer-to-peer service.
Why Bitly Codes are the right choice for instant payments
Bitly Codes provide all the features you need to create a professional and reliable payment experience for your customers. With Bitly’s extensive QR Code customization features, you can add your brand’s logo and colors and a compelling call to action (CTA), ensuring your codes align with your business’s visual identity. Branded QR Codes help build customer trust, encouraging shoppers to scan and complete transactions.
Bitly Codes work seamlessly with a variety of payment processors, including Stripe, PayPal, and Square. You can link to any platform that generates payment URLs. Plus, Bitly Codes are Dynamic, meaning you can update the payment URLs at any time without needing to generate new codes.
Bitly Analytics also gives you the power to track and optimize your payment performance. With insights into total scans, scans by device, and location-based scans, you can better understand your customers’ habits and preferences, allowing you to make data-driven improvements to your instant payment functionality.
Transform your payment process with instant QR Code transactions
It’s easy to streamline your payments with QR Codes for faster, more efficient transactions. By linking to instant payment solutions, QR Codes provide a seamless digital alternative to traditional cash or card payments. They reduce checkout times and improve the customer experience, keeping lines short and shoppers satisfied.
With Bitly, creating custom, branded QR Codes that link to your payment system is a breeze. Plus, Bitly Analytics provides valuable, real-time insights into customer behavior, allowing you to optimize your payment system for better sales, increased engagement, and a smoother checkout process.
Sign up for Bitly today to transform your payment system into a fast, efficient, and branded experience!
