Why are Digital Business Cards are Here to Stay?

Business cards are still very much in use. You might be surprised to know this, but thousands of brands still promote themselves today by distributing business cards.

However, since the world has progressed rapidly, companies are also adopting the latest forms of technology. Therefore, digital business cards are the newest marketing weapons out there.

The global digital business card market is expected to reach $242.3 million by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 11.2%.

If you have a small or medium-sized business and wish to know how to promote yourself through digital business cards, then this article is just the right place for you. So come on, let’s start reading!

1. What is a digital business card?

Before you start thinking of how useful a digital business card might be, it’s more important to understand what this tool is.

It is a virtual method of sharing your company or designation details with someone else, mostly through a QR code.

The recipient scans the QR code and gets redirected to your company website or any other link you want them to visit.

However, you can also produce digital cards like NFC ones. Let’s now see what these two types of cards are.

a. QR code business card

As already mentioned, this card contains a specific QR code. Anyone with a smartphone can open their QR scanner and scan the code on the card.

The best part about a QR digital card is that you can easily generate them online without needing help from a professional!

Moreover, you can make different QR codes on the same card to redirect customers to different links.

b. NFC business card

NFC or near-field communication business cards are physical cards made of metal or plastic. They contain a small NFC chip that can be tapped against the recipient’s smartphone.

Many business owners prefer NFC cards to QR-based ones since the former looks more professional and stylish. NFC cards can also be carried conveniently and designed according to your preferences.

2. Why should you use a digital business card?

Now that you have a brief idea of how a digital business card works, you must wonder about its importance.

Well, here are a few of the many reasons why you must ditch paper-based business cards and switch to their digital counterparts!

a. They are convenient to carry

Imagine a messy situation where you carry a full stack of paper business cards, but they get wet in the rain, or some food or drink gets spilled.

Not only will you be unable to distribute these cards, but you’ll also have to spend a fortune reprinting the same stack.

But you won’t have to worry about annoying spills when it comes to a digital business card!

Since they will either be stored on your phone or be made of metal or plastic, they’ll be completely water and spill-proof. This feature makes them very convenient to carry around.

b. They cost less

You might think that digital business cards cost a fortune compared to traditional cards, but it’s the opposite!

You might have to spend more money initially, but you’ll save a lot in the long run.

Since you won’t have to reprint the cards, your customers can use the same card multiple times without losing or damaging them.

Therefore, you can forget about spending any extra money on business cards. These funds can be used elsewhere to promote your brand.

c. They are interactive

Yes, conventional business cards can look cute, but digital cards are always preferred when it comes to being dynamic.

You can include various links to one card, right from the link to your website to hyperlinks to your social media accounts and Youtube channel.

Since these cards are interactive and fast, they strike a chord with customers. The card’s recipient understands that your company believes in keeping up with the latest technological trends, which can boost your sales greatly.

d. They contain a lot of information

This is perhaps why many companies are switching to digital business cards.

When you’re ordering paper business cards, you have to ensure that you keep limited information on the card.

They can only hold basic details, such as the company’s name, your name and designation, and the company’s contact details.

But if you order digital business cards instead, you can fit unlimited information into a single card. This way, you won’t have to shrink your company’s information.

e. They are environment-friendly

Today, more and more companies are figuring out sustainable solutions for their company’s problems.

No matter how successful your business is, you must consider the environmental implications of every step you take.

Unfortunately, paper-based business cards cause millions of trees to be cut down yearly and are also discarded irresponsibly.

But when it comes to digital ones, customers are much less likely to throw away digital cards, which can be reused differently.

f. They can stay around for longer

Another major advantage of a digital business card is that they are never easily forgotten by the recipient.

Traditional business cards are thrown away or forgotten in a few days or weeks.

But if you hand out digital business cards to someone or ask them to contact you via a QR code, you can be sure that the other person will remember you for a long time.

You won’t also have to bother with printing new stacks of digital cards every month or year, which can again save you a lot of trouble.

g. They can be easily updated

There’s nothing more frustrating for a business owner than to receive their shiny new card stock and then realize that there has been a glaring typo error.

Or maybe you have recently shifted your office address, but the stack of cards already has your earlier address printed on them.

In this case, you’ll either have to throw away the cards or find some way to recycle the paper.

On the other hand, digital business cards can be updated with just a click! You won’t have to go through any complicated procedure to update the information there.

3. How to calculate metrics using digital cards?

One cool feature of any digital business card is that you can easily keep track of how many times a certain customer has swiped your card or scanned your QR code.

You can connect your digital business card to any kind of data analytics or business software and get a rough idea of how well your business is doing.

If you see that many customers have been using your card to purchase from your website or simply visit it, your sales and organic traffic will increase.

However, if that’s not the case, then you can take steps to identify the problem and resolve it.

4. Who can use digital business cards?

As the name suggests, any business owner can use digital cards to boost company sales.

Here is a list of some of the most common professional fields where you can use a digital business card:

a. Newly-opened business

This is quite obvious, but many small businesses prefer promoting their website or products using conventional business cards.

If you’re fairly new, you can make your brand stand out by distributing digital business cards at conferences and conclaves.

b. Real estate

Many real estate agents also prefer handing out digital cards to their clients to ensure seamless communication. You can form strong connections with your clients by ensuring great service if you have a real estate firm.

And digital business cards will further guarantee your good work by effortlessly redirecting clients to your brand page.

c. Healthcare professionals

Using a digital business card can be a game-changer if you are a part of the healthcare industry, such as a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

Healthcare professionals mostly use these cards to prove their credentials by scanning them and taking the recipient to their healthcare license or other documents.

Moreover, you can also use them to connect with sponsors and establish a strong partnership.

d. Artists and content creators

A large number of artists, right from musicians to painters, are handing our digital business cards to promote their profession.

If you’re also working in the fine arts industry, you can reach out to many people by pasting your website or portfolio’s homepage QR code on public places. Stick these posters on phone booths or bulletin boards.

e. Job applicants

An individual looking for a new job can use digital business cards well. For example, adding the QR code on your resume can make you stand out among other applicants.

Or, if you have an NFC-based business card, hand them out to headhunters or potential employers to prove your efficiency.

Conclusion

Even though digital business cards are relatively new, they are here to stay. So don’t wait anymore and order some for yourself today!