Cash is no longer king, as many customers simply don’t carry it. For bartenders, hairdressers, and small businesses, this new reality can make collecting tips a hassle. That’s where QR Code tip jars come in. By adding a QR Code for instant payments at your checkout desk or on a tip jar and connecting it to a payment URL, you create a fast, contactless way for guests to show appreciation.
With a quick scan using their smartphone, customers can instantly send a digital tip via Venmo, PayPal, Cash App, or other payment methods, with no cash or credit card needed. QR Code payment is a seamless, modern solution that can boost tips, enhance the guest experience, and work perfectly for small businesses in the hospitality industry.
Note: The brands and examples discussed below were found during our online research for this article.
How QR Code tip jars work
Setting up a QR Code tip jar is simple and super effective. All you need to do is create a QR Code using a payment link URL. This URL could be a Venmo.me, Cash App link, PayPal payment page, or even a custom Bitly short link connected to a payment form. When a guest scans the QR Code with their smartphone, it instantly opens the payment page. There’s no typing and no searching—just a fast, contactless path that leads to customers leaving you the digital tips you deserve.
With Bitly, you can transform long, cluttered payment URLs into clean, branded short links that look sharp and professional in social media posts, emails, and SMS follow-ups. In addition to looking great in correspondence, these links provide the background infrastructure for your tip jar QR Code signs. Our unified tipping link solutions are easy to manage, track, and update in real-time, giving your small business a smarter, more streamlined virtual tip jar solution.
What makes Bitly QR Codes better than free alternatives
Free QR Code generators can get the job done, but Bitly takes your QR Code tip jar to the next level. With Bitly, you can create branded, trackable, and flexible QR Codes that make tipping seamless while giving your team more control, providing a better customer experience, and automatically gathering valuable real-time insights. Here’s how Bitly helps you build smarter QR Code signs for your digital tip jars:
Create branded, professional-looking links
With Bitly, you can customize the back half of every short link and, if you select the right plan, use a branded private domain to build trust and create a polished, professional look. Instead of a random string of characters, your QR Code sign can lead users to a link like yourbusiness.tips/Venmo, making it easier for customers to feel confident and complete their digital tip quickly.
Customers naturally trust branded domain names because they signal professionalism, authenticity, and attention to detail. When someone scans a QR Code and sees a familiar, brand-specific link instead of a random string, they feel more confident that the payment page is legitimate and secure. This trust is especially important for digital tip jars where customers are making fast, contactless decisions. A branded link can boost customer confidence and also reinforce your business’s identity across social media, receipts, and signage.
Edit your tip destination anytime
Bitly Dynamic QR Codes offer incredible flexibility, especially for small businesses using digital tip jars. Unlike the static codes produced by many free generators, a dynamic QR Code lets you update the destination link anytime, so if you switch between Venmo, PayPal, Cash App, and other payment processors, there’s no need to reprint your QR Code sign or other physical materials. It’s the epitome of sustainable hospitality.
You can also easily adjust your checkout flow or even rotate special thank-you messages in real-time. This hassle-free flexibility makes dynamic QR Codes a powerful tool for bartenders, hairdressers, and service workers who want to streamline tipping and keep their QR Code experience fresh across signage and receipts.
Track scans and performance
With Bitly Analytics, you can see exactly how many times people scan your different codes. This helps you understand where your tip jar QR Code and call to action (CTA) perform best, whether it’s at the checkout, on the bartender’s station, or on printed receipts. You can even compare daily figures to see who’s pulling in the most tips and optimize your QR Code placement to grow your results.
Where to place your QR Code tip jar
To maximize tips, place your QR Code tip jar sign where it’s easy to see and scan. A great option is printing the QR Code on an acrylic sign for placement next to your physical tip jar, checkout, coffee counter, or drinks station—anywhere guests naturally pause. Add a clear call to action like “Scan to Tip” to encourage instant engagement.
You can also get creative! Stick your QR Code on a guitar case for street performances, a clipboard for easy access in your salon, room service trays, or even hotel bell carts to capture tips in unique hospitality moments.
And don’t stop at in-person: Bitly makes it easy to share your digital tip jar online. Drop your Bitly short link in your social media bios, add it to email receipts, or print its QR Code on signage for delivery and curbside services. With Bitly’s hospitality technology solutions, your tip jar can work wherever your customers are.
Suggestions to get more tips with QR Codes
Once your digital tip jar is set up, you can easily boost engagement and increase digital tips with a few smart, creative touches. It’s all about making your QR Code sign inviting, easy to understand, and a natural part of your customer hospitality experience. Here’s how to make it work harder for you.
Use a clear, inviting call to action
Adding a simple, friendly CTA like “Scan to tip,” “Show your appreciation,” or “Thanks for your support!” helps eliminate confusion and quickly tells guests what your QR Code is for. Whether you’re a bartender, a hairdresser, or running a small business, clear messaging can encourage more scans and smooth the tipping process. Our QR Code generator lets you include custom framing text around every code you print, providing the ideal location for a compelling CTA.
Add personality to your signage
Bring your QR Code tip jar sign to life by adding a team photo or a playful, community-focused message. These personal touches make the experience feel more human and create an instant connection with your guests, whether it’s at the coffee counter or on a room service tray.
Our custom QR Code colors provide a great way to integrate your tip request code with your overarching brand identity, and integrated logos provide a wonderful way to tie your image together in one professional package.
Make it fun with emojis or suggested amounts
A little humor goes a long way. Try adding emojis or playful suggestions like “$2 = a happy barista” or “$5 is the best high-five” near your QR Code. These fun prompts can make tipping feel more approachable and encourage spontaneous giving, perfect for casual spaces like bars, salons, or valet stands.
Remember, QR Codes for hospitality are a big part of making the industry better for everyone involved, on both sides of the counter. The more you help customers feel that you prioritize their comfort and ease-of-use, the more likely they are to reward you well for making them feel included.
Make tipping easy for everyone with Bitly
QR Code tip jars remove the hassle from tipping: No cash, no searching, just a quick scan and instant appreciation. This modern solution is perfect for anyone who wants to streamline tipping in person or online. With QR Code tip jars, guests can show their appreciation in seconds, whether they’re at checkout, grabbing coffee, or following up using receipts.
No matter where you operate in the hospitality sector, Bitly helps you create professional, trackable QR Codes that make tipping seamless. In just minutes, you can generate a QR Code tip jar sign, customize your short link, and start collecting digital tips through Venmo, PayPal, Cash App, and more.
Ready to make tipping easier for your guests and smarter for your business? Log into Bitly today and start to get more of the recognition you deserve!
