The Ultimate Guide For Designing Business Cards
Table of Contents
Technology, with its evolution, has made our lives simpler. There is no doubt that it has reduced our burdens. With mobile phones and the internet, meetings are done in no time. The term automated intelligence has taken the world to the next level. With the boom in technology, it is righteous for one to question whether we should still stick to old practices like handing over a business card? My answer would be Yes!
You can think that the client could get back to you by a simple Google search for your contact details. Those are secondary. But when you meet your prospective client for the first time, it is absolutely necessary to create a good first impression. However good or bad your meeting goes on, it is absolutely essential to hand over your business card while you leave.
What is a Business Card?
Business cards are used for the purpose of sharing business information about a company or an individual. It typically contains the giver’s name, business affiliation with logo, and contact information such as an address, contact number, email address, and website.
They are a part of the branding exercise businesses take up to beat the competition. The card should not merely hold your contact details but should also possess an impressive design. It should speak favorably for your business. For your clients and customers, business cards act as a window to peep into the company’s quality of products and services.
There is also proven evidence for this. A study states 72 percent of people form an opinion about a company based on the quality of the business cards. So your card can make or break your business.
The reasons why your business card still matters?
Easy to share contact information
One main reason for business cards to remain in circulation is they provide your contact information with ease. All your contact details, such as email address and phone number, will be available on your card. The recipient can keep it in his wallet or drawer and contact you when in need.
Gives a sense of personal touch
Handing out a business card doesn’t happen all of a sudden. It involves a lot of handshakes. Both the parties thank and greet each other. They also spend a lot of time connecting. They share their information in a friendly environment. This is the warmth that helps in building a relationship. But do not forget that the quality and design of the cards remind your clients of your professionalism.
Creates a quick first impression
Every business intends to attract its target audience. People’s attention span is already decreasing due to a lot of distractions. So an instant first impression becomes essential. A classy and well-thought-of business card that has the company’s logo with tastefully displayed details and correct usage of colors and fonts makes your brand recognizable among clients.
Plays an essential role in some culture
In many cultures, business cards have a prominent role. They become a part of business rituals. For example, if you are doing business in Hong Kong, you must give your business card when someone offers you theirs. You stand sure chances to lose the client if you don’t share your card. In Japan, clients examine the quality of your card to determine how efficiently you run your business.
Acts as a direct marketing tool
Contemporary custom made business cards are a direct marketing tool. Though SEO, email marketing, and other marketing methods can get you leads and potential clients, business cards are still more effective. This is due to the in-person meeting that happens while sharing the cards. When you meet a potential client anywhere, you can easily hand them over your card.
Makes your business referable
A business card should not merely contain your company’s details. They should also outline the skills you possess. If your recipient is informed about an extra skill you possess, he may refer your business to someone looking for that skill. So make sure your card design is compelling for referrals.
Building trust
In this highly competitive market environment, it is imperative to build customer’ trust. A business card can somewhat build this trust. Since it involves a lot of warmth and greeting exchanged while sharing cards. A professional graphic designer knows the right colors to incorporate in the card design that evokes a sense of trust. A card design that is organized speaks for the business.
Turn it into a networking tool
There is no alternative to face-to-face networking that has proven to be the oldest yet effective communication method and building relationships. Business cards are the tool for creating opportunities. They help in increasing sales due to the power of personal networking. Also, create an authentic brand identity and a chain of personal relationships.
Now that you know how important it is to have your business card, next, you should know where and how to create one.
How and where to design your customized business card?
For your business card to perform well, it needs to be attractive and memorable. Remember, you are not the only one who has a business card. Your client would already have received plenty. An expert-designed business card will get you the first good impression that you thrived to achieve.
To design your business card, you can use templates provided by some top websites or get professional graphic designers’ help. Here are a few websites that stand top in designing customized business cards.
VistaPrint: They are one of the top business card printers worldwide and have a section of custom made templates. Their prices are competitive with just $16 for the basic stock, making them a hit among startups. They also create cards that are matte, glossy, or even metallic finish, double-sided prints, and embossed prints. You can get them delivered in seven days with shipping.
iPrint: Want to get fascinated by seeing their magnetic business card? They can curate them for you. They have incorporated an easy to use virtual design studio that lets you create your custom business cards with just a few easy clicks. They also offer you your tailor-made business cards at as low as $10 for a box of 25 magnetic cards.
Moo: They offer thousands of templates for your business cards and do dual-side printing for your uploaded photos in full. This is the best choice for artists, models, and photographers. They also offer NFC features that let you send information to your client’s smartphone by simply tapping the card on their device. They cost $19.99 for a set of 50 business cards.
JukeBox Print: If you are fuelled by texture, then this is the right place for you. They print business cards using different types of materials such as recycled paper, cotton, wood, or textured pulp. They curate cards with round corners, heart shapes, or even cupcakes in foil, matte, glossy, and pearl coated finish. Their price range starts from $59 for 500 business cards with delivery in eight business days.
GotPrint: If you are strict on a budget yet looking for professional business cards, you can get them from GotPrint. They manufacture various cards in various styles, shapes, and textures with UV-coating, double-sided, and full-color printing. They charge just $6.93 for 100 standard cards. Their delivery is pretty fast, and you can expect your cards in one or two days maximum.
PSPrint: What makes PSPrint stand out from others is its ultra-business card, which they claim to be the luxury and the thickest in the market today. They are in business from 1990 and boast of being a G7 qualified master printer, which means they use a higher technology and have a high standard of printing. They are the most expensive in the market. Their standard cards are priced at $22.99 for a set of 250.
Elite Flyers: Want to make unique business cards that resemble holograms, then Elite Flyers can design them for you at a whopping price of $425 for 100 cards. It features 3D effect, full-color lenticular sides with rounded corners.
Printing peach: They offer business cards at the flat rate of $69. This includes a first draft along with four revisions of the designs for a total of 5 versions. If you are not sure what your card should look like, then this is the right place.
48Hour Print: They make the finest quality business cards, which you can get in as short as two days. That’s why it has got the name. They also design mini cards, standard cards with round corners, and even tent-fold cards. They do not have custom laid templates, so you have to design your card. They charge $23 for 100 cards.
Morning Print:Whether you have a tight budget or willing to invest more for your business cards, Morning Print does both. They charge just $8.99 for a pack of 500 cards in their economy paper. And $17.99 for 200 cards.
Conclusion:
Your business card is the tool that will be setting the first impression. That too, if you are from a creative field like graphic designing, your business card is your first step before showcasing your portfolio. Even a growing startup with an exotic business card has more chances to be considered by a client.
Either you are a small business looking for a professional business card or an already established business looking for a change, these websites can help you decide the best for your business.
Importance of Business Cards:
Ease of sharing contact details: Eases the process of sharing contact details. Contact details such as email addresses and phone numbers will be available on your card, making it easy for the recipient to contact you when in need.
Gives a sense of personal touch: Offers a sense of personal touch as they won’t be given to your client all of a sudden. It involves meeting and greeting your client and connecting, after which you share your business card with them, paving the way for a healthy relationship.
A quick first impression: Creates a quick first impression through their ****classy design. A well-thought-of business card that has the company’s logo with tastefully displayed details and correct usage of colors and fonts makes your brand recognizable among clients.
Essential role in some cultures: Plays a prominent role in some cultures. In Hong Kong, you must give your business card when someone offers you theirs. In Japan, clients examine the quality of your card to determine how efficiently you run your business.
A direct marketing tool: Acts as a direct marketing tool. Though SEO, email marketing, and other marketing methods can get you leads and potential clients, business cards are still more effective. This is due to the in-person meeting that happens while sharing the cards.
Ease of reference: Provides a pathway for your business to be given as a reference. Instead of just your company’s details, it should also outline the skills you possess. If your recipient is informed about an extra skill you possess, he may refer your business to someone looking for that skill.
