All About QR Code Payments

Gone are the days of handling cash or manually entering payment details at events. Enter QR code payments: a quick, contactless payment method that’s all about convenience. Whether it’s for ticket sales, donations, or merchandise, discover how using QR codes at your events can lead to better sales and a smoother experience for everyone involved.

 

What Are QR Code Payments?

With a QR code payment, a customer scans an image — a QR code — with their mobile phone’s camera to go straight to a checkout page. It’s an alternative to typing a URL in the address bar.

Cheddar Up QR Code in Action

With Cheddar Up, you can generate a unique QR code that will take your community directly to your collection for any event, online store, fundraiser, or registration with a single click. Want to see how it works? Scan the QR code below to go to one of our ready-to-use Event Templates!

Scan Here to See our Event Template

Ways to Use a QR Code

You can use your QR code in many ways:

  • Advertising your event and ticket sales on a flyer, poster, or handout
  • Ordering food from your concession stand
  • Selling items at a store with a scan-to-pay sign  
  • Collecting donations at a charity event with the QR code on table tents
  • Displaying it on a slide during a presentation for more information

In general, think of it this way: Use a QR code for printed materials or instances where people cannot simply “click a link.” In emails and online promotions, a payment link will be a more friendly experience because they can simply click and go.

Benefits of QR Code Payments

There are several benefits of QR codes payments, including:

It’s easy.

No URLs to mistype! Everything is already provided for your customer.

It’s convenient.

You can (almost) count on two purchasing guarantees these days: People hardly carry cash, and they likely have their card information stored in their phone’s wallet. A QR code payment capitalizes on both, and a customer is more likely to purchase (and do so promptly) if it’s convenient.

It’s direct.

You want to make the purchasing process as quick and simple as possible — or else, sometimes you lose people along the way. With a simple point and click, QR codes open your payment page immediately, and on Cheddar Up, that’s all you need to make a payment, no additional sign-in required. Less steps = better payment odds.

It’s fast.

This is especially helpful if you’re at a busy event where people may not be able to linger at your booth. Customers can click and pay without any interaction.

QR Codes at Point of Sale

Cheddar Up makes it easy for merchants and groups to collect payments not simply online, but also at the point of sale with our card readers and mobile payment apps. In this case, QR codes can be used two ways:

For customers to purchase.

Display a sign with your collection’s QR code. It will direct customers to your group’s custom payment page, where they can make selections and purchase from their phones.

For volunteers to process point of sale transactions.

For in-person sales, like a concession stand or ticket booth, you may have several volunteers taking the lead. Cheddar Up’s POS code enables volunteers to run transactions without needing administrator privileges. You simply need to distribute your group’s POS QR code, and when scanned, it will open the Cheddar Up mobile app so they can begin taking POS payments immediately.

Streamline Your Collections with QR Code Payments

QR code payments are not just a trend; they are here to stay. Especially in the world of non-profit fundraising and event management, the ability to include a QR code on promotional materials can make the difference between meeting your goal or surpassing it. With Cheddar Up, your checkout page is just one scan away, making it easier for supporters to contribute instantly.

 

How to Generate a QR Code for Your Next Event

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Choose Cheddar Up:

Create a custom collection page for your event or cause on Cheddar Up for free.

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Generate Your QR Code:

With a single click, Cheddar Up provides you with a personalized QR code.

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Strategic Placement:

Include the QR code on flyers, posters, and event programs to provide instant access to your checkout page.

Choosing the Right Payment Method: QR Codes vs. NFC vs. Cash vs. Credit Cards

When it comes to collecting payments at your event, the options can feel endless. Let’s break it down and compare the popular methods: QR code payments, NFC (Near Field Communication), traditional cash handling, and credit card payments. This way, you can decide what’s best for your event without breaking a sweat.

QR Code Payments:

QR codes are the superheroes of contactless payments. Simply scan and pay — no need for physical contact or fumbling through wallets. They’re ideal for fast transactions and reducing queues. Plus, with Cheddar Up, creating a QR code for your event is a snap, and it’s totally free! The downside? Well, it requires a smartphone and a decent internet connection, which might not work for everyone.

NFC Payments:

Think Apple Pay or Google Wallet. NFC is super quick and secure, needing just a tap of the phone near a payment device. It’s great for tech-savvy attendees who prefer not to carry cash or cards. The good news? You can use Cheddar Up’s mobile app and Bluetooth card readers for tap-to-pay transactions!

Cash Handling:

Good old cash — it’s straightforward and doesn’t rely on technology, which means no worries about signal issues or hardware malfunctions. But let’s be real: it’s not the cleanest or safest way to handle transactions, especially when you’re aiming for quick and contactless payments at busy events. (But, BTW, you can even take cash payments with Cheddar Up so everything is in one place!)

Credit Card Payments:

Almost everyone carries a card these days. Credit card payments are familiar and trusted, and with mobile card readers, pretty quick too. But, not everyone wants to swipe their card at events, especially outdoors or in fast-paced environments.

Each method has its pros and cons, but for sheer convenience, security, and speed, QR codes are increasingly becoming the go-to choice at many events and fundraisers. They keep the line moving and make transactions a breeze, so you can focus more on making your event spectacular!

How Much Does It Cost to Make a QR Code?

Nothing! Creating a QR code to accept payments through Cheddar Up is free!

I’m convinced, I want to do it.

Collecting payments for groups is a breeze with Cheddar Up — and it’s free! Just create an account, add your items, and share the link via QR code, email, or social media. That’s it! You’ve got enough to handle; let us simplify your payments.

Collect for FREE

Whether you’re collecting dues and fees, fundraising, managing an event, creating a sign up, or selling something online or in-person, you can do it with a Cheddar Up collection.