How Nerijus got 900 registered users for his QR tool

Meet Nerijus Oftas.

Nerijus is a 39 years old Lithuanian software developer with a strong background in web development and digital solutions.

Currently, he works as a Senior Developer at EngageCraft, a UK-based company focused on digital fan engagement within the sports industry. This role has further honed his skills in building scalable and user-centric web applications.

Beyond his 9-5, Nerijus is also the solo founder of OpenQR.

The story told by Nerijus Oftas

The idea

The idea for OpenQR actually stemmed from a past freelancing project where I needed a flexible QR code solution for a client.

During that time, I realized that many existing options were either too expensive, overly complicated for simple use cases, or had a significant drawback - they often disabled dynamic QR codes once the subscription ended. This meant printed materials could become useless overnight. OpenQR tackles these pain points head-on.

Recognizing this gap and leveraging my expertise in technologies like PHP, JavaScript, Laravel, WordPress, MySQL, and more, I decided to build OpenQR to offer a more accessible and sustainable solution.

The product

OpenQR is a user-friendly, web-based platform that empowers individuals and businesses to create, manage, and analyze QR codes effortlessly.

I designed it to be your all-in-one hub for QR code solutions, whether you need a simple static code or a dynamic one for a complex marketing campaign.

Here's how OpenQR stands out:

Truly dynamic QR codes
I designed OpenQR so you can change destination URLs anytime, even after printing them. This is crucial for long-term campaigns, menus, or business cards, ensuring your QR codes always point to the right place.

Actionable analytics
I provide detailed insights into how your QR codes are performing.

You can track the number of scans, location, time, and even the devices used, all with a short 5 minute delay for optimal performance. This data helps you measure effectiveness and fine-tune your strategies.

Brand your codes
You can make your QR codes truly yours.

Add your logo, customize colors, and even use your own custom domains (e.g., qr.yourbrand.com) for a professional, white-label look.

Diverse QR types and templates
OpenQR supports a wide array of QR types, from links and vCards to Wi-Fi access, PDFs, locations, and SMS.

Developer-friendly API
For those who need more control, API allows for programmatic QR code creation and management, integrating seamlessly into existing workflows or SaaS platforms.

Sustainable Dynamic Codes
Unlike many competitors, if your premium subscription ends, your dynamic QR codes don't die. I'll simply add a discreet "powered by OpenQR" overlay for a few seconds when scanned, ensuring your campaigns remain functional.

My aim is to make sophisticated QR code management accessible to everyone, from small businesses needing scannable menus to marketers tracking complex campaigns, and event organizers simplifying registrations.

Building

I started actively working on the core functionalities of OpenQR around 2023. It was initially a side project driven by my own need for a better QR code solution.

Launching

OpenQR officially went live in June 2023.

My initial launch strategy involved a debut on Product Hunt, where I introduced it to a small, curated group. However, I'll be frank: that particular launch wasn't as successful as I'd hoped.

I quickly learned that launching on a platform like Product Hunt requires extensive groundwork and a specific strategy, and I hadn't done my homework adequately. Consequently, it didn't generate the traffic or immediate traction I was aiming for.

It was a valuable lesson learned early in the journey about the complexities of getting a new product noticed, especially as a solo founder.

The first 100 users

Reaching the first 100 active users was a journey of approximately one year.

My initial focus wasn't just on rapid growth, but more importantly, on genuinely listening to early users and collecting their feedback. This allowed me to continuously improve the platform, refine features, and ensure OpenQR was truly solving their problems. That iterative process, driven by user input, has been key.

Current status

Currently, OpenQR handles a few thousand QR code scans and has almost 900 registered users 😎, many on the free tier.

I typically get 10-30 daily users, with exciting spikes sometimes reaching up to 100 users.

These higher peaks directly correlate with my LinkedIn Ads campaigns, showing that targeted marketing effectively drives interest and traffic.

Marketing struggles

Let's be honest, as a solo developer, marketing OpenQR has been the toughest part.

Building the platform was one thing - that's my element. But trying to cut through the noise and convince people that my dynamic QR codes and analytics are worth their attention in a world already full of QR codes? That's been a real hurdle.

It's a completely different skillset, and I'm learning as I go.

Also, I did some experimenting with Reddit Ads which didn't yield the results I was hoping for.

In hindsight, this might have been premature as I didn't have specific landing pages tailored to the ad content and was directing users to the homepage. This likely led to a disconnect and lower conversion.

Promoting OpenQR

Initially, my promotion was primarily bootstrapped, involving:

Content marketing
Writing blog posts on the OpenQR website about the benefits and use cases of dynamic QR codes.

A few examples:

• A URL QR Code generaor instantly connects people to your content

• What does a PDF QR Code Generator do?

Social media
Engaging with potential users and sharing updates on X and LinkedIn - examples below:

Make your links scannable. Anywhere. Instantly (LinkedIn post)

Reddit engagement
Participating in relevant communities, such as this early discussion on r/SaaS, and on my own subreddit r/openqr_io.

Experimenting with paid ads
I have recently started experimenting with paid advertising, and so far, LinkedIn Ads seem to be showing promising conversion rates.

The business model

My business model for OpenQR is straightforward and focused on value.

I offer a 14-day free trial with no credit card required, giving everyone full access to dynamic QR code creation and customization.

As mentioned, a key difference with OpenQR is that the dynamic QR codes never stop working, even after the trial or if a subscription ends. Instead, a "Powered by OpenQR" overlay simply appears briefly during the redirect.

Users typically upgrade to a paid plan, starting from just $5 per month, for several reasons:

• To remove the "Powered by OpenQR" overlay for a professional, unbranded look after the trail ends.

• To use custom domains (e.g., qr.yourbrand.com).

• To manage a larger volume of dynamic QR codes suitable for growing needs.

I'm also continuously enhancing the platform, currently developing new QR code types like app download pages and digital user profile cards to offer even more specialized solutions.

Also, I'm always open to feedback and suggestions for new functionalities that would benefit my users, ensuring OpenQR evolves with their needs.

This is where you can find Nerijus Oftas:

• LinkedIn

• X