The Many Advantages of Business Cards for a Small Brand

A small business owner needs a lot of tools when they first start a company. One of the first things an entrepreneur should get is physical business cards. These cards show that the company is a credible, real business and that the owner should be taken seriously.

A good business card showcases brand identity and makes a lasting impression but also showcases the important details about a company: an email address, website, and contact details are all essential information. And of course, no business card is complete without the company’s name, logo, and tagline. Some business owners even use a bright color to help their card stand out.

But in today’s digital age, is it really worth investing time into making a tangible business card? Advertising a business online today is absolutely essential, but there’s still value in handing out a business card after a personal interaction. This guide walks through some of the main advantages of quality business cards for a new company.

Business cards come in handy for networking events

There’s no telling who a business owner will meet when they attend a trade show or other networking event; even a casual conversation could lead to a profitable professional connection. But that relationship can only blossom if the other person knows how to get in touch with the business owner! That’s where printed business cards come in; the owner (and maybe the attendee) can exchange business cards to chat later on, set up a pitch meeting, or negotiate a future contract.

In theory, a business owner might even find themselves handing out a business card during an ordinary day. With a little creativity, almost anything can lead to a new business opportunity. Maybe a business owner is shopping at the grocery store, and a casual conversation with another customer creates a potential lead. Or maybe they’re watching their kids at a park one weekend, and another parent comments that they’ve been looking for a refrigerator repairman, and the business owner has their printed card in their back pocket.

A good business card showcases brand identity

Especially in today’s digitally-crazed world, visual appeal is powerful. And a business card packs a powerful visual punch in a small space, highlighting the brand’s identity. The typeface used for the company name, the logo, and any other visuals on the card all work together to showcase who the company is, what they do, and more. For example, a business card for a graphic design company could showcase the owner’s design skills and personal aesthetic to potential clients, and that impression would endure beyond the initial in-person interaction.

Business owners can help ensure that their business card keeps a personal touch by ensuring that there’s a name and phone number for a specific person on the card itself. For example, the owner’s personal card might include their name, job title, and their personal extension. That info would allow the card recipient to reach out to the owner directly, which some customers really appreciate.

Business cards are one of the most cost-effective marketing strategies

Most brand-new businesses don’t have a huge budget for marketing materials and advertising campaigns. TV advertisements are expensive, and expenses for social media ads can add up quickly. But traditional business cards can actually be pretty affordable; some printing services only charge pennies per card, especially for high-volume orders.

Since these physical cards are so affordable, many brand-new business owners decide to print a large order at once (bulk orders are usually the most cost-effective) and hand out cards instead of brochures at events, around the neighborhood, and to all their business contacts.

But what should a business owner do if they expect their contact information to change frequently in the early growth stages? Some business owners decide to print a smaller number of cards at once so they don’t spend money on wasted cards if their printed information changes. Generally, this approach has a slightly higher printing cost per card, but even then, the difference is pretty small. Even printing just 50 cards can be pretty affordable.

Making the most of digital communication with electronic business cards

Some business owners decide to get an electronic business card instead, through providers like Dot or Blinq. These platforms use modern technology like QR codes or near field communication (NFC) to enable digital networking. Essentially, when a business owner makes a meaningful connection, they can use their digital business card to let the potential customer scan their card and get the owner’s information sent directly to their smartphone.

Some of these platforms allow a business owner to edit their information on the fly, making them better than paper business cards for quickly evolving companies. It might also be possible for an entrepreneur to include a link directly to their website, product pages, or special offers on the landing page of their digital business card. Many of these digital tools also allow for customizable pages to help maintain brand consistency between both digital and traditional cards.

In today’s digital world, these tools can be incredibly helpful, allowing a business owner to network effectively in a way that’s convenient for the people they’re connecting with.

Conclusion

There’s something to be said for the classic simplicity of a paper business card. They’re a great way for modern business owners to share contact details and advertise their new company, even if they aren’t ready to invest a lot of money into their marketing strategy yet.

For the best results, a business owner needs a well-designed business card that grabs someone’s attention and communicates all vital contact information at a glance.

Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. For specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.