Why You Need a Smart Business Card: Ultimate Guide [2023]

In our modern digital post-pandemic world, smart business cards provide new ways to connect and do business and a great way to upgrade your networking toolkit.

Given that around 88% of all paper business cards are thrown away within the first week, all while providing a small amount of relevant information – usually only the owner’s contact details, smart business cards are an excellent opportunity to network and market your business.

A smart business card uses Near Field Communication (NFC), a short-range wireless network, and a QR code that allows the exchange of information between two paired devices, such as any Apple or Android smartphone or smartwatch, and a smart card.

With a digital business card, you can create memorable experiences to share your contact information and convince your audience to do business with you in our highly digitized age.

A digital business card can help you stand out from the crowd and connect effortlessly in one single tap.

Smart business cards allow you to connect wherever you go and even network smarter at online meetings, giving you the prestige to stand out from the crowd.

These innovative cards bring a much-needed revamp to the old physical business cards with impressive new functions.

Smart business cards allow you to quickly share a digital version of a business card.

There are various options for how your card will appear for the recipient.

You may choose for them to receive your contact details with name, photo, phone number, and company position. 

Or, for example, go for the wow factor with a direct link to your website, product information, or a presentation. You can also instantly share a personal landing page with your portfolio and more.

Smart business cards transcend the limits of classic business cards, providing paperless, borderless, and multi-layered networking solutions.

This is a new tool to make a great first impression, and never miss an opportunity to share your company or business contact details or gather leads and connect instantly to your CRM tools.

You likely may have already seen these smart cards but aren’t sure how to create your own and what direction to take. There are many factors to consider, and getting lost in a sea of options is easy.

But how does this all work? 

If you’re scratching your head and wondering how to get started, don’t worry- you’re not alone.

Want to know how to create a remarkable and memorable card?

In this guide, you’ll find a reliable compass to navigate the world of smart cards.

What is a smart business card, and how does it work?

A smart business card (or NFC business card) connects with any smartphone, smartwatch, or similar device upon physical contact to share your business details as often as needed – simply tap it on a supported mobile phone, and voila!

There are three simple-to-use components – a physical business card, software to design your card, and the smart device to receive it.

The design options are limitless – you have total control over colors, business information, logos, graphics, and media files.

Soon you’ll be able to impress prospects and steal the show in your next networking event by taking out your NFC card and sharing content with just a tap on any phone, anytime, anywhere.

7 more key benefits and reasons why smart cards are a must-have networking tool:

1) Contactless networking solution

Contactless technologies offer the safest and easiest ways to share information as we navigate the post-pandemic business landscape.

Digital business cards are a safe and secure way to share your business information with anyone in the physical world or online. 

With a host of options for sharing, you can give your audience an unforgettable experience from a safe distance, whether they’re standing right next to you or halfway across the world.

2) NFC cards are modern and convenient

Traditional business cards could make you look obsolete in some settings, especially for tech-related professionals.

A smart business card gives you an air of tech superiority and portrays you as an innovative type—no need to walk around with a bunch of cards or type your contact details on a smartphone. 

Just swipe your card, and all your information is instantly saved on the recipient’s phone.

3) Digital business cards are cost-effective and ecological

You’ll save money on multiple business cards that will most likely be discarded, and you can share contact details unlimited times at just a fraction of the cost.

No more runaway printing costs – or reprinting new cards to correct errors or update details.

4) Update easily, anytime

If you start work at a new company or move to a new area, open a new business, no problem. 

With an NFC business card, you can update any of your information within minutes.

Plus, no need to reshare your card! 

Once you’ve uploaded the new information, it becomes instantly available for everyone to see, including those you’ve shared your card with already.

5) Convert prospects into leads

Since they’re easy to edit and update, you can run an A/B test for multiple versions of your smart card.

Experiment with different landing pages, branding elements, color schemes, media files, or social media features to find the best ways to impress your audience.

What’s more, some smart cards support third-party CRM integration for maximizing conversions.

6) Follow up with leads

Speaking of integrations, with some smart cards, you can track your prospects, follow up with them and retarget them online.

For instance, a feature like dynamic QR codes supports QR code analytics, providing data such as the number of scans, scans by device type and location, best-performing campaigns, and more.

You can also set up a CRM integration to follow up on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and email.

7) Digital business cards are eco-friendly

A recent report from Statista shows that 82% of customers want businesses to be more socially and ecologically responsible. 

Transitioning from paper business cards to electronic ones could save the planet 7 million trees annually.

Digital business cards could be an excellent start if you are keen on minimizing your carbon footprint.

Who are Digital Cards Designed for?

A digital business card is a handy networking tool for any professional, including those in fields far removed from tech. 

But these are the professionals who probably need smart cards the most:

Agents and brokers

Agents and brokers rely heavily on networking to source clients and deals. With smart cards, real estate agents can access plenty of features for lead generation and meaningful engagement with prospects.

They can showcase their hottest offers and provide any paperwork needed to validate a deal in a snap.

Sales professionals

From elevator pitches to white papers and product landing pages, digital business cards help sales professionals assemble and manage their marketing arsenal from one place. 

They can also use analytics to keep track of their smart card’s performance and lead management integrations to keep in touch with their leads.

Healthcare experts

Medical experts often have situations where they need to produce their credentials, from medical emergencies to networking and marketing opportunities. 

A digital business card saves you from having to walk around with a briefcase full of medical ids and certifications.

Download all your medical credentials on any device instantly by swiping your card on it.

Freelancers and job seekers

A digital business card can set you apart if you’re looking for work. 

Besides helping you cut a forward-thinking and innovative figure, smart business cards help you nail your first impression in many ways, allowing you to showcase your best works and providing many options to follow up on prospects.

How to Create Digital Business Cards

As mentioned earlier, to set up a smart card, you need a physical smart card and software for setting up your business details on the card. 

Each component has many options, and the steps differ depending on the products. But here’s what it usually takes:

Install a digital business card on your phone

First, you need to choose a physical smart card and programming software.

Some cards work with most apps on Google Play, giving you access to more setup options. 

Apps differ based on their range of features – from basic to advanced, from free to monthly subscriptions, and sharing methods – from QR scans to web links, email, and social media integrations.

Decide on what info to upload

Depending on factors like the nature of your business and the app’s range of features, you can choose to display specific business details on your smart card.

There’s a whole section below dedicated to the elements you should include in your digital business cards, but the basics include contact details, socials, portfolio links, and testimonials.

Enter your info on the app

Choose an app with a simple interface where you can easily etch your business info, with clearly labeled fields for each type of detail. 

Some apps allow you to import premade designs like background colors, logos, company videos, and landing pages for products or services. 

They integrate with creators’ platforms like Photoshop and Canva, making it easy to transfer design elements from those platforms.

Upload the info to the card

After saving your card design on the app, upload it onto the physical business card.

Again, the steps differ here depending on the components, but it usually involves tapping the physical card or the NFC tag on the app screen or scanning a QR code.

Test the card

Next, check to see if the info has been successfully uploaded and if your card works well. Simply tap the card on another supported phone.

Some apps let you test for updates by holding the card to a test screen.

Share your card

Once your card is good to go, you’re now ready to share it. You’ll have lots of sharing options besides physically pairing with NFC devices. 

These options differ based on your chosen components but usually include texts, emails, and social media.

What to include in your digital business card?

Look closely at everything you should have on your NFC business card. 

There are no hard and fast rules, and you can always tweak your card whenever without a hassle. 

The basics include:

Professional info

This includes your name, job title, department, company, and location. 

If you’re a freelancer or contractor, all your branding and contact info go here – email, phone numbers, website, socials, etc.

Photos, profile pictures, videos

You can add as many media files as you want – a major advantage of smart cards.

Add anything from mug shots to group photos, behind-the-scenes, explanatory videos, etc.

Logo and branding graphics

Logos and official trademarks give your smart card a more professional look. 

Some apps allow you to pick and customize from a library of logo templates but feel free to upload your own branding elements.

‍Certifications and awards

You would certainly want to show off those hard-earned certifications and awards on your smart card. 

You can include important and relevant credentials, from your college degree to your professional certifications, badges, and awards.

Color scheme

Branded color schemes apply to smart cards, so choose your smart card colors wisely. 

Studies show that any combination of black, white, red, and blue colors works best for cards in the tech industry. 

If you’re into food or fashion, stick to feminine colors like red, pink, or yellow. 

In general, choose lively colors – something that’ll lift the viewer’s mood. But avoid complex color combinations – these could be a huge distraction. 

Keep the combination to no more than 2-3 different colors.

Social media links

You can add your socials to showcase your portfolio and follow up on your prospects. 

Include anything from Google My Business to your Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, business page, Twitter accounts, and even YouTube channel.

Other important elements that can help make your smart card stand out include the following:

●   Links to resources that can help back you up

●   Calendar and event integrations

●   Accounts on creator platforms like Behance, Dribbble, GitHub

●   Links to testimonials and reviews on sites like Yelp

●   Payment integrations – in case your potential client needs a snappy deal

●   Promos, discount codes, and juicy offers

Tips to get the best from your digital business cards:

Leverage top-notch smart cards with excellent features

You don’t need all the bells and whistles to make your card stand out. 

Ensure your smart card or app has the essential features – NFC technology, a straightforward interface, document scanners, sharing integrations, and communication and collaboration tools. 

Smart cards with dynamic QR code support allow for easier updates.

Gather all your inputs before you begin work

Decide on which details to include first before choosing your smart card components. 

Besides your basic contact details, you should also prepare multimedia files, PDFs, presentations, web links, pictures, and videos. 

This will help clear the runway so you can hit the ground running when you sit down to create your card.

Tailor it to your unique brand identity

The digital business card market is flooded with customization options, you’ll find an element that truly fits your brand for every part of your smart card. 

Use your brand colors, add your logos and trademarks, and include videos and images that feature branded items. 

Eye-catching visuals mark you apart and make your smart cards more memorable.

Use remarkable text styles for your name and job title

As the most crucial part of your card, your name, and job details should make a lasting impression. 

Use unique fonts, but don’t go overboard, so it’s not obscure. 

Apply eye-catching text styles like double spacing and bold text.

Make your links visible

Chances are most of the things you’d like to share are embedded in links –web pages, landing pages, social media profiles, etc. 

Place all your links close to the beginning of your card to increase the likelihood of getting hits.

Display reviews and testimonials

Don’t forget to chip in some of your favorite reviews and customer testimonials to boost your credibility. 

If possible, link to review sites like Yelp, Google My Business, and Facebook Reviews.

Insert CTAs strategically throughout

Sometimes, your audience may not know how to approach their problems, and you need to step in to offer a sense of direction. 

Encourage your users to take actions that’ll lead to deeper engagement – subscribing to newsletters, sharing on social media, or pushing that ‘buy’ button.

Share your card with pride

With the chic look and high-tech delivery, you should brandish your smart card with pride wherever you go. 

Don’t be afraid to share it any time – put it in your email or social media signature, and just tap on someone’s phone rather than read your number.

Getting more eyeballs on your digital business card

Sharing your card is probably the easiest part, but sharing should be at the top of your mind when selecting your card components. 

The best NFC business cards support multiple methods – QR codes, SMS, social media, smartwatches, and other smart devices.

QR Codes

Use QR codes for in-person exchanges.

SMS or email

Sending your virtual card via text or email could be as simple as entering the recipient’s number or email address on the app and clicking the send button. 

Or attach your e-card to your email or text signature.

Or simply copy-paste the card link on the text signature or message.

Smart devices

Some smart cards are versatile, allowing you to share your card using any device at your disposal. 

That means you don’t need to have your physical card with you every time. 

When running or hiking, for instance, you can share your e-card via your smartwatch.

Social integrations

You could share your virtual card on social media by copying and pasting the link on your posts and messages. 

Some apps eliminate the need to copy-paste with integrations for social media.

Some allow you to manage your smart card usage across many social media platforms from one place.

Share your card during virtual events

Lastly, don’t forget to flash your smart card during virtual meetings to give your audience more options for engagement. 

Simply wave it at the camera during your webinar or group meeting, and it’ll be downloaded once your viewers scan your unique QR code on their devices.

Final Thoughts: Smart business cards for next-level networking

While paper business cards aren’t going anywhere anytime soon, upgrading to a virtual business card can give you an edge at networking events. 

It’s okay to carry a few printed business cards around, but you’ll hardly ever need to dish them out if you have one smart card in the mix. 

Having a smart card means networking at a lower cost, less clutter in people’s drawers, and a healthier planet!

Get one for free today, or invest in a customizable, high-conversion card.

It’s time to upgrade your networking toolbox!