Customers enjoy the experience of unboxing new purchases but often overlook an important step: warranty registration. When this step is missed, customers may find themselves without coverage when problems occur, leading to disappointment and negative brand perception.
Retail QR Codes provide a straightforward solution. With a quick scan, customers can register their products without paperwork or complicated forms. Whether it’s a dishwasher, a smartwatch, or a set of power tools, QR Codes simplify warranty registration for everyday purchases.
In this article, we’ll walk through how to use QR Codes to simplify product warranty registration, improve the customer experience, and make the most of every new product purchase.
Note: The brands and examples discussed below were found during our online research for this article.
Why use QR Codes for product warranty registration?
Product warranty registration comes with plenty of benefits for both customers and brands. For shoppers, it opens the door to targeted customer support, quick access to product information, faster recall notifications, and even product-specific perks like loyalty incentives or extended protection. And in a time when people are watching their spending, extended warranties can go a long way in reassuring them that their purchase was worth it.
For retailers and manufacturers, registrations create a valuable feedback loop. They offer insight into your customer base, help shape future marketing campaigns, and reveal opportunities to improve product design or user experience over time.
But despite all these benefits, the biggest hurdle remains the same: Filling out forms can be tedious. While customers often appreciate warranties, they may skip registration because the process can feel like an extra step. This is especially true if registering a product means mailing in a postcard, typing in a long web address, or emailing a support team.
Today, there’s a better option: a QR Code for warranty registration. With a quick scan, customers can open an online registration form on their mobile phone, with no typing or guesswork required. You can even use that same code to provide other helpful content, like setup guides, FAQs, or safety information.
Take baby gear, for example. When parents unbox something like a bassinet, safety is often top of mind. Adding a QR Code to the product packaging can direct them to a quick warranty registration form, a step-by-step assembly video, and a reminder of safe sleep best practices via URL. If there’s ever a recall or product safety concern, you’ve already built the foundation of trust with clear, proactive communication.
Let’s take a closer look at how warranty QR Codes help streamline the registration process and lead to higher customer satisfaction.
Streamline the warranty registration process
Retailers and manufacturers have long struggled with low warranty registration rates, but one effective tactic is to eliminate as much friction from the process as possible. When all it takes is one quick scan, warranty activation goes from another task on the to-do list to a simple reflex.
That’s where QR Codes and short links for registration transform the process. Customers don’t have to remember a URL, find a pen for a paper form, or wait on hold to activate their warranty. Instead, they scan a code with their mobile device to open your warranty registration page. And with 98% of Americans owning a smartphone, the odds are that your customers already have everything they need to register in seconds.
Including a short, branded link alongside your code gives them a second access point—ideal for packaging inserts or where scanning might not be possible. Together, QR Codes and short links make warranty registration more accessible, approachable, and easy to complete.
With a hassle-free registration experience and features like auto-fill, the whole sign-up process feels less like a chore and more like a natural part of the unboxing moment.
Improve customer satisfaction
Product warranties are meant to protect customers when something goes wrong. When handled well, they can turn a negative experience into a positive one.
With a registered warranty, customers can reach out if their product is faulty or damaged, and you’ll already have key details on hand, like product specs and delivery info. Similarly, if a recall happens, you can notify registered customers quickly and directly.
QR Codes can also help you educate customers and set expectations. Add one to the product itself so users can scan it to understand what the warranty covers or start a claim without needing to dig through manuals or search for your support page.
Plus, the data you collect from QR Code scan analytics can help you improve the user experience. You’ll gain insights into which products generate the most support requests, spot patterns, and make informed improvements that benefit both your customers and your brand.
How to create product registration QR Codes
QR Codes aren’t just easy to use—they’re easy to create, too. With Bitly, you can generate product registration QR Codes using simple, intuitive design tools.
Here’s your step-by-step guide on how to create QR Codes that are both eye-catching and effective.
Generate a Dynamic QR Code
When you create a QR Code, there are two main types: Static and Dynamic.
Static QR Codes are fixed. Once created, they can’t be updated or tracked, which limits their long-term usefulness.
Dynamic QR Codes offer more flexibility. You can update the destination URL at any time without generating or reprinting a new code. They also let you track scans in real time, giving you helpful insight into how customers engage with your product registration process.
All Bitly Codes are Dynamic by default, so, depending on your plan, you can unlock features like real-time editing, scan tracking, and a more flexible customer experience.
When paired with a Bitly Code, Bitly Links give customers multiple ways to access the same online registration form, which is especially helpful if scanning isn’t possible. They’re clean, memorable, and compact by design, making them ideal for limited spaces like product packaging or printed inserts. This multi-access approach reduces the chance a customer skips registration just because one option isn’t convenient.
Customize the QR Code
Once you’ve created your code, it’s worth taking a few extra minutes to customize it.
Customized QR Codes are eye-catching and stand out on product packaging, especially when they reflect your brand colors, include a logo, and feature a clear call to action (CTA).
Additionally, customization builds trust and credibility. When a QR Code looks like an extension of your brand, customers are more likely to scan it confidently. Adding a CTA like “Scan to register your product” or “Scan me for warranty details” also removes any guesswork, helping customers understand exactly what the code offers.
Ensure the QR Code is highly visible
It’s important your QR Codes are clearly visible wherever they’re placed. Each code should be easy for customers to spot and scan. If a code is too small, low-contrast, or low-resolution, some smartphone cameras might be unable to read it.
You can place QR Codes on product packaging, including boxes, inserts, instruction manuals, or labels. Just ensure you’re using the right file type and size so the code prints clearly and stays scannable.
It’s also smart to test and optimize your codes. Once printed, scan the code using different smartphones in various lighting conditions and from multiple angles. This helps ensure every customer has a smooth, reliable experience.
Benefits of using QR Codes
We’ve already seen how QR Code product registration makes life easier for your customers. But the benefits don’t stop there—these scannable links offer plenty of value from a business perspective, too.
If you’re just getting started with Bitly for retail, you might be surprised at how many ways you can use QR Codes across your organization. They’re a simple, low-cost tool that works with almost any content type and gives you access to useful data along the way.
Low cost
With Bitly, you can choose from a range of plans to find one that fits your needs and budget—whether you’re bulk-creating thousands of codes for different SKUs or reusing a single code across a product line.
You’ll also cut down on printing costs. Instead of including user manuals, warranty cards, or terms and conditions printouts in every box, you can link to that content digitally using a QR Code. That means less paper, more flexibility, and a cleaner customer experience.
Ease of use
Bitly makes it simple to create QR Codes for nearly any use case. Just sign up for a free Bitly account or log into your existing one to get started. You can create, customize, manage, and track all your codes from one user-friendly dashboard—no technical expertise required.
In addition to digital warranty registration, you can use QR Codes to link to PDF brochures, how-to videos, review platforms, and more. Most customers already know how QR Codes work, so they’ll appreciate the easy access to information on demand.
Data analytics
When you create Dynamic QR Codes with Bitly, you get access to detailed, real-time analytics that show how your customers are engaging with your codes. You can view total QR Code scans over time, see where scans are coming from geographically (city and country level), and even track device types.
Want to compare the performance of different placements? Just create two different QR Codes leading to the same destination (but with different Bitly Links embedded) and place one on the front and the other on the back of your product packaging.
Then, you can compare their analytics to see which placement drives more engagement, turning data collection into smarter decision-making. These insights can feed directly into your strategy, helping you boost registration rates and build stronger, more responsive customer relationships over time.
Simplify product warranty registration with Bitly
Making it easy for customers to register their warranties isn’t just good service—it’s smart business. With QR Codes, you can streamline the process, reduce friction, and give customers quick access to the support and information they need. That small improvement can lead to stronger brand trust, better product feedback, and long-term loyalty.
Bitly makes it simple to create, customize, and track Dynamic QR Codes from one user-friendly platform. Whether you’re managing dozens of product lines or just getting started, Bitly helps you streamline warranty registration with QR Codes, branded short links, scan analytics, and real-time URL editing.
You can update forms, track engagement, and ensure every QR Code stays active and relevant without reprinting a thing.
Ready to give your customers a faster, smarter way to register their products? Sign up with Bitly and start creating high-impact QR Codes today.
