Why do people still use business cards?

Business cards have been a staple of professional networking for decades. They are a quick and convenient way to exchange contact information, make a first impression, and promote your business. But with the rise of technology and digital networking, many people are asking whether business cards are still necessary in 2023.

1. Tangible Connection: Business cards are tangible and can be kept and referred to later. Unlike digital information, which can be easily forgotten or lost, business cards provide a physical connection between you and your network.
2. First Impression: Business cards are often the first impression people have of your business, and they provide an opportunity to make a great first impression. A well-designed business card can reflect your professionalism, creativity, and attention to detail.
3. Networking: Business cards are a great way to network and connect with others. They allow you to exchange contact information in a way that is fast, efficient, and memorable. And because they are tangible, business cards often leave a lasting impression and can help you stay top of mind with your network.
4. Branding: Business cards are an extension of your brand, and they offer an opportunity to promote your business and reinforce your brand identity. A well-designed business card can help you establish a professional image and build your brand awareness.

As the world continues to adjust to the ever-changing “new normal” way of working as Covid cases continue to fluctuate globally, making meaningful connections in the business world is different and a little more complex.

Gone are the days when the paper business card seemed an effective way to share your details, but somehow, just giving someone your number also doesn’t seem to strike that subtle balance of professionalism.

‍

Do I need business cards?

While the traditional paper business card may be obsolete, that doesn’t mean you don’t need business cards. Exchanging contact information professionally still requires a business card, but how that business card looks has changed.

‍

With the world of work almost entirely digital at this point, the analog paper business card seems both redundant and wasteful. NFC business cards have become a popular alternative, but with some reliability issues on certain devices and the needless injection of more plastic into the world, a truly digital networking solution, both remotely and in-person, is needed. Enter the digital business card…

What is a digital business card?

Digital business cards transform the way you can share your details into a seamless exchange. An app that we recommend is HiHello—HiHello is the top-rated digital business card app on the App Store and Google Play, and allows you to easily connect with innovative tech companies in a way that’s, well, innovative! HiHello’s free online business cards offer you the chance to set up a digital business card in minutes, and their business plans offer some unique features, including video profiles (where you can put a face and a message to your name), the ability to embed YouTube videos, attach PDFs with marketing materials that showcase your business and the option to create multiple cards for people, products, services and more!

‍

‍

How does a digital business card work?

Yep, you guessed it, it’s an app! HiHello takes up minimal space on your phone, and once you’ve created cards for you and your team, you can seamlessly share them via QR code, link, email, and text message. (You can even keep your cell phone number private!)

Your business card opens in the default browser on someone’s phone. They don’t require anything on their phone, no app, nothing. Provided they have a smartphone, anyone will be able to receive your digital business card. Every field on a HiHello card is fully interactive, so once they’ve enjoyed a whistle-stop tour of your business, they can save your details by emailing or texting your business card to themselves—which drastically increases the chance of follow-up—or they can save your details to their phone’s contacts. Once they’ve done this (and this is the really cool part), they can share their details back with you!

‍

What information should be on a business card?

Whether you’re creating a traditional paper card, NFC business card, or digital business card, the content you choose can make or break whether your cards are effective, but picking the right information isn’t so simple. If you’re trying to fit the essential information on a tiny paper card or working with the unlimited space of a digital business card, there are 5 key things that should be on your  business card: 

‍

1. Your name

2. A photo

3. Basic contact information

4. Your website 

5. Marketing collateral 

‍

‍

Learn more about the 5 must-haves for every professional business card in our blog. 

‍

Are digital business cards here to stay?

Put simply: yes, digital business cards are here to stay. The humble paper business card is so limited and causes numerous headaches. From title changes and typos to printing delays and waste, they are simply not an effective way of networking.

Companies are always curious about HiHello’s history and trajectory. Founded in 2018, they’ve grown from humble beginnings to the number one rated app in the space. With users in 180+ countries, and over 13 million cards shared in 2023, HiHello continues to be the leader in the space. The future is an exciting one, having secured a $7.5 million Series A fundraise.

HiHello’s digital business cards are easy to create, simple to manage, and showcase your business in the most impressive and visually appealing way. 2024 will continue the trend of innovation and a different, more effective way of working. Showing up to a networking event with a stack of paper to showcase your cutting-edge and innovative company isn’t going to do the job, and well, if you’re networking remotely, it’s unlikely you’ll be mailing your card.

‍

Main photo by Karolina Grabowska