In our digital age, physical business cards remain an important and effective tool for businesses.
Having a business card at the ready creates the impression that you’re professional and well prepared and is a quick, simple way of exchanging contact details without relying on technology.
Your business card also represents your business so it must give a good first impression. Read on to discover what makes a great business card.
Keeping it on brand
Your business card may be the first thing a potential customer or client sees about your business so it must convey quickly not just who you are and what you offer but what type of business it is.
Your business card should reflect your brand or ethos and incorporate aspects of what you do.
For example, if you’re creative then use your artwork for your business card. If you’re a gardener, then a business card printed on recycled paper with a green border and lettering might be more appropriate.
Don’t overcrowd your business card
When you hand out your business card, you want that person to look at it and ideally, keep it for future reference, which means you need to make it stand out from your competitors without looking too busy or overcrowded.
Your business card should include basic information such as the name of your brand or business, a contact name, and title, and all the ways that someone can get in touch, for example, an email address, telephone number, and a website they can visit.
If you have physical premises like an office or shop, then you should also include the location or address.
Different card types
The standard business card shape is a rectangle, however, there are many different types of business cards available in a range of shapes and sizes.
Choosing something a little bit different can help your business card stand out from the crowd, particularly if you’re exchanging business cards at a networking event.
Having a business card that is a little different from the rest and a conversation point can help you and your business be remembered.
You might want to stick to the classic rectangular-shaped card and let your design do the talking, or you might want to opt for a mini, square, or folding business card.
For the environmentally-conscious business person, there are eco-friendly options, printed on recycled paper or Kraft board. You can also have your business card printed with a silky smooth or gold-dust finish for a luxurious touch.
Using a simplistic layout
When it comes to business card design, you only have a small area to work with and you need to avoid overcrowding the space so that your logo or contact details remain identifiable.
Any fonts used should be legible and don’t forget to include some white space to give your design space to breathe.
Avoid making common business card mistakes, such as making your card difficult to read or impossible to write on.
It may be tempting to be clever and reduce the information on your business card to a simple QR code and a logo but remember that you’re trying to make it easy for people to contact you not adding in an extra step that they may not be willing to take having just met you.
A simple, eye-catching business card design with clear, concise information will work much better.