How to attribute revenue to a QR code on Shopify
Give every QR code its own destination with a campaign tag or its own discount code, then match each order back to that tag or code. You can do it by hand with cart links, or have an app such as Qraffic tag the visit and match the order for you.
Three ways to do it
| Method | How it works | Effort | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unique discount code per code | Put a discount code on each QR code's cart link. Orders that used the code came from that placement. | Low | Only counts buyers who use the discount. Discount codes with a comma cannot be passed in the link. |
| Referral tag on the cart link | Add a ref value to the cart link. Shopify shows it as a referral code in the order's conversion summary. | Medium | You read each order by hand or export and tally. |
| An app that tags the visit and matches orders | The scan redirects with UTM parameters. The app reads the visit behind each order and totals orders and revenue per code. | Low once set up | Credits the last visit before the order. A buyer who comes back through another route is credited to that route. |
How Qraffic does it
- Each scan goes through a short link and redirects to your store with utm_source=qraffic, utm_medium=qr and utm_campaign set to the code's id.
- When an order is created, Qraffic reads the visit that led to it from Shopify. A match on utm_source=qraffic credits the order to the code in utm_campaign.
- Codes linked to a discount code are also matched by the discount used on the order.
- Each matched order is stored once, so a retried delivery does not count twice.
- Free shows orders per code. Revenue and average order value per code start on Starter.
Doing it by hand with a cart link
Shopify cart links accept a discount parameter and a ref parameter. A link for one code might look like https://your-store.myshopify.com/cart/VARIANT_ID:1?discount=FLYER10&ref=flyer-spring. The details are on Shopify's cart permalink page.
Questions, answered
Short answers to the questions people ask most.
How do I track sales from a QR code in Shopify?
Make each QR code point to a destination that is unique to it, using a campaign tag or a discount code, then count the orders that carry that tag or code. An app can do the tagging and counting for you.
Can I see revenue per QR code?
Yes, with an app that matches orders to codes. In Qraffic, revenue and average order value per code are on the Starter plan and above.
Does a QR code need a discount to be tracked?
No. A tagged visit is enough for Qraffic to match an order. A discount code adds a second way to match, and is useful for offers.
Does tracking use customer personal data?
Qraffic does not read customer names or emails. For matched orders it receives the order number, total, currency, discount code and date.