Both NFC cards and QR codes send customers to your Google review page. The difference is how much effort it takes the customer, and that is what decides whether they actually do it.
How a QR code works
The customer opens their camera, points it at the code, waits for the prompt and taps the link. It works on virtually every smartphone, and a code is cheap to print.
How NFC works
The customer holds their phone against the card and the review page opens. There is no camera to aim and no prompt to find, which makes it feel almost effortless.
Side-by-side
- Effort: NFC is one step; QR is usually three.
- Lighting and angle: QR needs a clear view and decent light; NFC does not.
- Compatibility: QR works on almost any phone; NFC works on iPhones from 2018 and most Android phones.
- Cost: Both are inexpensive and need no subscription.
- Durability: A quality PVC card lasts for years; printed codes can fade or tear.
Can you use both?
Yes, and it is a sensible approach. A QR sticker covers the few customers whose phones do not read NFC, while the card gives everyone else the quickest path. Our Google Review Card is built for the tap; you can add a QR code alongside it.
Which should you choose?
If customers are standing in front of you, the tap is hard to beat. If you place a sign somewhere unattended, a QR code is a good backup.
Want the one-tap option? See the Google Review Card NFC – one tap opens your review page, free delivery Australia-wide, no monthly fees.