QR Codes simplify the raffle process and help drive more entries. Instead of relying on paper tickets or clunky URLs, a scannable code sends participants directly to an entry form, donation page, or fundraising campaign explainer. This setup makes it easier to collect entries at fundraising events, on social media, or even via print materials.
Whether you’re promoting a giveaway or running a sweepstakes, using QR Codes ensures every touchpoint, from t-shirts to billboards, is actionable and mobile-friendly. With the right QR Code generator, you can streamline participation, track metrics, and scale your next raffle with ease.
Note: The brands and examples discussed below were found during our online research for this article.
Why use QR Codes for raffles
QR Codes are a functional and efficient way to boost participation in your next raffle or giveaway. They eliminate friction, encourage mobile engagement, and make it easy to manage everything from one central location. Raffles are the second most popular fundraising method (after events), so it’s important you keep your organization’s raffle game on point. Here are a few key benefits QR Codes offer:
- Higher engagement
QR Codes provide a quick, scannable entry point that works across signage, print materials, and other media in real-world spaces, driving more interactions from potential participants. - Simple raffle entry
Whether linking to a fundraising page, entry form, or donation site, QR Codes streamline the participation process and reduce the barrier to entry. - Track engagement via analytics
With the right QR Codes, you can monitor scan activity in real time, measure campaign metrics, and make adjustments based on what’s working.
You can customize Bitly QR Codes for small businesses and non-profit enterprises with branded colors, logos, and unique borders, giving your raffle a cohesive, professional look while increasing brand recognition. Boosting raffle participation is just one of the ways event companies use QR codes to improve engagement.
How to set up a raffle using QR Codes
Setting up a raffle with QR Codes is a smart, scalable way to engage more participants, especially at events, in stores, or across multiple digital channels. With the right tools in place, your raffle can go from an idea to a fully branded campaign in minutes. Here’s how to launch your next giveaway using QR Codes.
Decide on the raffle goal and prize
Start by defining what you want your raffle to achieve. Are you collecting donations for a fundraising campaign, growing your email list, or increasing foot traffic at an in-person event? Once your goal is clear, choose a prize that motivates your audience. A high-quality product, exclusive experience, or unique branded giveaway item can build excitement and encourage entries. Make sure the prize aligns with your brand and resonates with your target audience.
Create a mobile-friendly landing page
Most people will enter your raffle by using a mobile device at a booth, scanning a poster, or connecting via other printed materials. A mobile-optimized landing page ensures that your entry form loads quickly and looks great on any screen. Bitly Pages makes it easy to create custom, mobile-friendly landing pages without needing a web developer. Whether you’re hosting a donation form, entry form, or event details, Bitly Pages helps you keep it all on-brand and easy to navigate.
Generate a QR Code with Bitly
Once your landing page is ready, it’s time to examine how to make a QR Code that links directly to the page. With Bitly, you can generate custom QR Codes in seconds, complete with branded colors, logos, and clear calls to action. If you need to change your campaign’s destination URL later, Dynamic QR Codes let you redirect traffic without reprinting materials.
This approach can be a great solution for ongoing engagement after your raffle ends. By changing the URL so it points to a results page with additional fundraising information, you can keep connecting with your audience using the same QR Codes. You can even run additional raffles every week, month, or year, without ever reprinting any of the entry materials. Entrants just need to scan the same flyer or postcard every raffle to enter again and again.
Print and share the QR Code
Next, distribute your QR Code across multiple channels. Add it to flyers, posters, banners, or billboards at your fundraising event. Print it on t-shirts or business cards for staff and volunteers. Share it on your social media pages to reach your digital audience. To increase participation, make sure you place your code in high-traffic areas. Clear messaging and a compelling call to action (CTA) help drive conversions.
Track participation with Bitly Analytics
After launch, use Bitly Analytics to track how your raffle is performing. You can view total scans, location data (city/country), and user device/OS breakdowns, all in real time. This insight helps you understand which marketing strategies are driving the most engagement and where to focus your efforts.
To capture even more detailed insights, you can use the Bitly API to integrate the data we capture with your existing software stack. For nonprofits, fundraisers, and brand marketers alike, this level of insight is key to optimizing campaigns and proving ROI. With Bitly, every scan gives you data you can act on.
Tips for making your QR Code raffle successful and brand-friendly
A great raffle doesn’t just attract entries; it creates a seamless, branded experience that leaves a lasting impression. Whether you’re launching a fundraising campaign, promoting a giveaway, or driving booth engagement, these tips will help you boost participation and reinforce your brand identity.
- Use branded QR Codes with clear CTAs
Customize your QR Code with your logo, brand colors, and a compelling call-to-action. A recognizable, professional look builds trust and encourages people to scan. - Test the code from multiple devices before printing it
Ensure your QR Code scans quickly and accurately across a range of mobile devices and camera apps. This testing helps avoid any scanning issues once it’s live on your print materials, social media pages, or business cards, and is an important part of learning how to make a QR Code using Bitly. - Offer an enticing prize relevant to your brand
Choose a prize that reflects your business or campaign purpose—like a free product, exclusive merch, or a branded t-shirt. This keeps the experience on-brand and makes the reward feel meaningful. - Set an entry deadline during the event
Creating urgency helps drive faster participation. Include the deadline clearly on your flyers, posters, or webpage so attendees know to act quickly, especially during a fundraising event or in-person activation. - Promote your code across multiple channels
Maximize visibility by adding your QR Code to t-shirts, check-in signage, event swag, and marketing materials. The more touchpoints you create, the more chances people have to engage. - Use Dynamic QR Codes for flexibility
With Bitly’s Dynamic QR Codes, you can update your raffle’s destination URL even after you print your code. This is especially helpful for multi-day raffles or evolving campaigns that maintain user interest long after the raffle concludes. - Track participation with real-time metrics
Use Bitly Analytics to monitor scan rates and see where engagement is highest. These insights help you adjust your marketing strategies and identify the most effective distribution points.
Make your raffle a success with Bitly Codes
QR Codes make raffle entry simple, fast, and mobile-friendly, giving participants an easy way to engage—no pens, paper, or clunky URLs required. With a quick scan from any mobile device, users can instantly access your raffle entry form, whether it’s a webpage, Google Form, or landing page built with Bitly Pages. This seamless experience removes friction, increasing the chances people will participate on the spot—whether they’re at an event, visiting your storefront, or scanning a poster.
Whether you’re running a fundraising event, promoting a giveaway, or building brand awareness, Bitly helps you streamline participation and track real-time results. With custom branding, dynamic functionality, and powerful analytics, your raffle can become a seamless part of your larger marketing strategy.
Ready to improve your raffle experience with QR codes? Sign up for Bitly today and find the right plan to create the branded, scannable solution for your next campaign.
