Currently, professionals operating in a rapidly globalized and technology-driven environment are always in a quest for better approaches for their networking methods. That is why one of the methods that have recently gained considerable popularity is designing and generating business cards on the Internet. As for traditional printed business cards they have long been replaced by their modern counterparts. The advancement in technology, especially the use of the internet and computers means that there are more people adopting the use of business cards online. Besides, they assist in developing a good first impression; they are an effective method of exchanging contacts with clients, partners, and co-workers.
On this page you can download pdf version of The Evolution of Business Cards
From Traditional to Digital
Visiting cards have been considered an important tool in business communication a long time ago. Originally, these cards were either on paper or were small PVC like cards which were then passed around during meetings, gatherings and ceremonies. But due to increased development in technology of doing business there has been a shift from printed business cards to online business cards.
This evolution is mainly built on the flexibility that the online business card presents. People cannot carry thick packets of cards any longer as business professionals. Nevertheless, they can draw, design and distribute their business cards electronically at the tips of their fingers. Also, the increasing awareness of the impact made on the environment carried out by increased usage of printed business cards and the availability of equal electronic based cards has also exerted pressure in this line.
It is for these reasons that the following are considered to be benefits of having business cards online;
It is also noteworthy, that there are at least five advantages of ordering business cards online rather than in the offline way. These have made the use of digital business cards the most preferred option for professionals in different fields.
1. Convenience and Accessibility
Among the major factors that are making working individuals to prefer business cards online is flexibility of the service. A digital business card can be designed, saved and distributed conveniently from a mobile phone, iPad or a computer. In any event such as a meeting, conference, or even a social event, your digital business card is well within your fingertips, awaiting to be shared with anybody at that one click.
2. Customization Options
Another tip that would work for the significance of business card design is that it has to be unique. Online business cards also afford many options with different templates, fonts, color options, and layouts that a business person can select in the creation of a card that represents them well. There are also often the options to add: social media links, portfolio links, and even QR codes, so that the recipient could easily find you online.
3. Cost-Effectiveness
The efficiency of business cards online also means cost efficiency since, when the concept is embraced, the costs can be expected to reduce significantly. The printed business cards can be considered as the traditional ones they need design, printing and can also include shipping. On the contrary, an attempt to make and distribute digital business cards usually does not cost more than a couple of cents, if anything at all. It is especially useful for the small businessmen, freelancers or the startups that may not be able to spend much on marketing.
4. Eco-Friendly Option
Growing concern of the effects of environmental degradation has seen many of these professionals seeking means of minimizing their carbon footprints. Business cards online may be chosen because they are very friendly to the environment since they can help minimize the use of paper. This not only has an impact on the sustainability of the environment, but also makes you appear as a socially responsible person to your clients and partners.
5. Easy Updates and Modifications
Perhaps one of the biggest inconveniences that accompany the standard of business cards, is their static nature: once the cards are printed, their information cannot be changed. You have to order new cards if you decide to change a phone number, email address or your job position. Online business cards on the other hand can be updated easily and in fact the changes are immediate. You can log in to the platform and make the necessary edits which allow you to share your updated business card on the internet the moment you want.
How to Create Business Cards Online?
Business cards are an important part of a company’s branding and can also serve as a promotional tool in advertising the company’s services to their clients, customers, vendors, and other business associates. This article gives a step by step guide on how to create business cards online.
To create business cards online one does not need to be a professional because the process is quite easy. Currently, there are many tools and services that are available in the form of SaaS applications with intuitive interfaces and Wizards to help the user through the process of creating their design.
Step 1 Getting an Online Platform
The very first thing that is always recommended before designing business cards online is to select the correct web based tool. In this regard, there is an availability of several websites and apps to design and generate the business cards. A flip side to this is that you can use a tool to design the cards but the choice of the tool depends on your preference and the available options include Canva, Adobe Spark, and Vista print. It is necessary to highlight that these platforms provide various templates and options for customization.
Step 2: A requires the choice of a template
After you’ve set your mind on the platform you want to publish your content on, the next step is choosing a template. Standardization is also accomplished by most online platforms having preset templates that are relevant to all the industries and professions. Whether you’re a corporate business person, an independent worker or a small business person you can easily access templates that reflect your brand and the type of work you do.
Step 3 Customize Your Business Card
Choice is one of the unique features that come along with designing business cards online. Some of the details that you may include on the template include your name, position, phone number, email, your company’s logo, and social media accounts. In the same way, many platforms permit the use of other features such as the barcodes that, when scanned, direct the viewer to an online portfolio or other web presence.
Step 4: Save and Share
After the designing of the business card, you can download the business card in any format you want such as JPEG, PNG or PDF. These are online cards that can be directly shared to others through email, text message or social platforms. Some platforms even have the provision, allowing you to share your card through the use of NFC technology whereby once a user brings their phone close to your device they will receive your contact information.
Business Cards Best Practices On the Internet
Staying on the safe side of your business card online is very vital and to do that you need to adhere to certain principles or rather best practices as you develop and spread the cards.
1. Keep it Formal and Neat
A messy looking business card will confuse the receiver and take the focus off what you actually wanted to convey. While designing business cards, it is recommended that one designs the business cards in a bare minimum and without much information as this can easily be spotted online without needing a physical card. Make sure the card is not cluttered, the text is in very legible fonts, together with good contrasting colors and the white space does not compromise the text visibility.
2. Include a Call-to-Action
Thus, your digital business card should lead to an action being taken. Whether a person is accessing your website, connecting with you on LinkedIn or scheduling a meeting, the use of a call-to-action on the card may direct the next step.
3. Use High-Quality Images
Also, if the business card has the image of the company logo or the owner’s photograph, then please make the images clear and not grainy. Computer-generated low resolution images are a taboo to the professional outlook of any project. Many of the online platforms, dedicated to business cards designs, will give you an opportunity to use the high-definition images to preserve the quality of your visual.
4. Test Before Sharing
To do that, first, rinse your own coin by using your own card example on the LinkedIn connection you’ve established. Use this card in your own email or phone to see how it will appear and if all the links are correct. This is good for you in case you want to check for any mistakes before submitting to the clients or any other partners.
The Business Card of the Future: Here and Online
They are bound to change with the advancement in technology and the usage of business cards on the internet. AR and virtual/ digital business cards are some of the tools that will be seen as they act as an advancement of the traditional business cards among working professionals.
AR Business Cards
Smart business cards as an aspect of business cards online can be considered as an interesting trend in the near future. These cards enable the users to incorporate more functionalities within the cards such as videos, animation, and 3D images. This applies when the recipient is able to use the smartphone to scan the card and have the augmented reality part pop out and make it more creative.
Virtual Business Cards for Networking Amid Covid-19.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the work from home practice, business cards online are even a necessity these days for companies and employees. Today, it is becoming common to see many professional individuals using Virtual Business cards via virtual media as a way of passing contacts. Business platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams have gone further by providing additional features that users are able to share their business cards during the video conferencing.
Conclusion
Lastly, business cards online are a contemporary, effective, and environmental way of improving professional’s methods of networking. Attribute to the flexibility, personalized and the low costs, compared to printed business cards, digital business cards are increasingly gaining acceptance in the market. The future of business cards is even brighter given the rising use of technology in business- – technological developments such as augmented reality which when incorporated in business cards will provide a better way of interacting between business people. Whether you are in your middle age operating a business or a youth just entering the job market, the use of business cards online is important in the enhancement of your business.
