Creating customised pre-filled URLs for QR codes

Purpose

Payreq can support customised QR codes that direct customers to a pre-filled Payreq page. These QR codes can be generated from customer-specific URLs and printed on notices, letters, or other customer communications.

There are two common use cases:

This helps reduce manual entry, improves the customer experience, and makes it easier for customers to take the intended action.

Digital Subscription QR Codes

Overview

A digital subscription QR code directs the customer to a Payreq FastForm registration page.

The URL can be customised so that key information from the customer’s current notice is pre-filled, such as:

The customer still needs to review the form, enter their email/phone details where required, and complete the subscription process.

Example FastForm URL

A standard FastForm URL may look like this:

https://test.payreq.com/fastform/demo-biller/create

A customised pre-filled version may look like this:

https://test.payreq.com/fastform/demo-biller/create?aN=12345&a1=Mr%20S%20Smith

In this example:

FastForm URL Format

Format:

<Base FastForm URL>?aN=<Account Number>&a1=<Customer Name>

Example using plain values:

https://test.payreq.com/fastform/demo-biller/create?aN=12345&a1=Mr S Smith

Final encoded URL:

https://test.payreq.com/fastform/demo-biller/create?aN=12345&a1=Mr%20S%20Smith

The exact FastForm parameters should be confirmed by Payreq before production use, as FastForms may vary depending on the biller’s configuration.

Payment QR Codes

Overview

A payment QR code directs the customer to a Payreq payment page.

The payment page can already accept pre-filled values in the URL, including:

This allows a QR code to take the customer directly to a payment page with their payment reference already populated, and optionally the amount as well.

Example Payment URL

A standard payment page URL may look like this:

https://go.payreq.com/pay/tamworth

A pre-filled payment URL may look like this:

https://go.payreq.com/pay/tamworth?accountNumber=1111&amount=100.01

In this example:

Payment URL Format

Format:

<Base Payment URL>?accountNumber=<Account Number>&amount=<Amount>

Example:

https://go.payreq.com/pay/tamworth?accountNumber=1234567890&amount=250.75

If the amount is not required, the URL can be created with the account number only:

https://go.payreq.com/pay/tamworth?accountNumber=1234567890

This may be useful where the customer needs to choose the amount themselves, or where the notice supports multiple payment options.

Payment Amount Requirements

The amount value should be supplied as a dollar amount using two decimal places.

Example: amount=100.01

If the amount contains more than two decimal places, the payment page rounds the value to the nearest cent. For example, an amount such as 100.0100001 will be rounded for payment purposes.

Recommended approach:

Where possible, the notice generation process should supply the final amount already rounded to cents.

URL Encoding Requirements

All customer-specific values should be URL encoded before QR code generation.

This is especially important where values may include spaces, ampersands, slashes, apostrophes, or other special characters.

Common examples:

For example:

Mr AB Smith & Mrs CD King

Should become:

Mr%20AB%20Smith%20%26%20Mrs%20CD%20King

Example final FastForm URL:

https://test.payreq.com/fastform/demo-biller/create?aN=123456&a1=Mr%20AB%20Smith%20%26%20Mrs%20CD%20King

Payment URLs are usually simpler, as account numbers and payment amounts are typically numeric. However, the values should still be generated safely by the QR code creation process.

Process for Creating QR Codes

1. Confirm the QR Code Use Case

Confirm whether the QR code is intended for:

Each use case should have a clearly labelled QR code so customers understand what action they are taking.

2. Confirm the Base URL

Payreq will confirm the correct biller-specific base URL.

Examples:

https://test.payreq.com/fastform/demo-biller/create

https://test.payreq.com/pay/demo-biller

For production use, the live Payreq URL should be used, not a test URL.

3. Confirm the Required Fields

For a subscription QR code, this may include:

For a payment QR code, this may include:

4. Extract Values from the Notice Data

The mailhouse, print service provider, or composition system should extract the required customer-specific values from the notice data.

For example:

5. Encode and Construct the URL

Create the customer-specific URL by adding the relevant query parameters.

Subscription example:

https://test.payreq.com/fastform/demo-biller/create?aN=12345&a1=Mr%20S%20Smith

Payment example:

https://test.payreq.com/pay/demo-biller?accountNumber=1234567890&amount=250.75

6. Generate the QR Code

Generate a QR code from the final customer-specific URL.

Each customer should receive a QR code containing their own unique URL.

7. Test Before Production

Before going live, test a representative sample of QR codes.

Recommended checks:

QR Code Placement Considerations

Where notices include more than one QR code, each code should be clearly separated and labelled.

For example:

Avoid placing too many QR codes close together, as this may confuse customers. If a notice already includes a payment QR code, the digital subscription QR code should be placed in a separate section, such as the email notices or digital delivery section.

Notes and Limitations

• The QR code only pre-fills selected fields. The customer must still review the page and complete the required action.
• Only information already available on the customer’s notice should be included in the URL.
• For payment URLs, the amount should be supplied in dollars and cents. Amounts with more than two decimal places will be rounded to the nearest cent.
• For FastForm URLs, the available pre-fill fields may depend on the biller’s FastForm configuration and should be confirmed with Payreq before production.
• Final URL format, field mappings, and QR code samples should be tested and approved before the QR codes are included in a live bill run.