One of the first things people think about when creating marketing material is business cards. They create a great first impression and don’t break the bank, which is great when you’ve recently started your business and need to keep spending low.
If you want to find out why you should be using a business card, what you need to consider when designing one, and how to make it more attractive, read on.
Why Business Cards Are Still Important in 2020
Are business cards even necessary in today’s world when everything is becoming digital?
The answer is yes!
Having a card in your wallet ready to hand out can have a lot of benefits for your business.
Share Your Contact Details
Above everything else, business cards allow for the effortless exchange of contact details.
Being ready to network will greatly enhance both your business and your employment prospects.
If you meet a customer, client, or associate, it’s simpler to hand them your business card instead of writing down your contact details or asking them to remember. Even asking them to input your details into their smartphone could be a tedious task depending on the moment. It also looks unprofessional.
Establish Your Brand’s Image
You should always be looking to establish your business’s brand in your market and a well-designed business card acts as a tiny form of advertising.
You can convey your message to your target audience and effortlessly signal what you do and who you are.
A business card allows you to set the tone of professionalism and competence whilst acting as a constant, tangible reminder of your brand, which is never a bad place to start from when building relationships.
Demonstrate Your Credibility
If you want people to have the right opinion about you and your business, you need to have the right business card.
Your card is a great way to show potential customers you mean business and for you to show professionalism. They also show the person receiving yours that you’re a serious player in your industry.
If you’re asked for a card and you can’t produce one, you’ll look amateurish and unprepared.
Getting Your Business Card Design Right
The design of your card can set you apart from your competitors and make you look professional as well as help you build trust.
We’ve included some of the aspects we think are important to consider in the design process.
Keep Things Simple
You don’t need to make things complicated when designing your business card.
Most of the time, keeping things simple works best and less can be more.
You don’t need to choose fancy fonts or have many colours just because you can. You want your business card design to be an extension of your business and representation of your brand.
Ensure your design is easy to read and conveys the information you want it to.
Size
One of the first points you should do is to consider what size business card you want.
If you’re unsure, it’s probably best to stick to the standard horizontal rectangular dimensions of 85mm wide and 55m high, but don’t be afraid to get creative.
Click here to download a free business card template you can use
Different sizes offer different advantages and one size may best suit the amount of information you need to include in your design.
Logo
Your business card must include your logo and, if you have one, your tagline.
Your logo identifies your business and makes your business recognisable to people when they see it in the future whether that is on your website or above your shop.
If you don’t have a logo, talk to us today about our logo design service.
Paper Quality
The paper quality you choose can make a real difference to your design.
A high-quality paper choice shows your clients that you value the perception of your business.
People will associate the services or products you deliver with the quality of your marketing material. A poor paper quality choice can make people think of you as being cheap.
You want a paper quality that fits with your brand’s image and beliefs. If your business is keen on reducing its environmental impact, you may opt for a recycled material to align with those aims.
The finish of your paper is also important. Glossy surfaces tend to make colours stand out while pearl and matte surfaces can look more sophisticated.
You can also add a special finish to your business cards. Finishes like Spot-UV can make your design more memorable and impressive.
Use Both Sides
Never make the mistake of using only one side of your business card.
You can get creative when deciding on what to put on either side and the possibilities are endless.
Don’t try to use every inch of space, however, and be selective with what information you do include.
You could have your logo and tagline on one side and your contact information on the other.
If your business receives bookings, such as a hairdresser, you can use one side for appointment reminders so customers can easily remember their time-slot.
Colours
The colours you pick should be the same as the ones on your website and other business materials.
Ideally, you should have a business brand guideline detailing what colours your business uses and how to apply them.
You shouldn’t deviate from what makes your business recognisable and easy to remember.
If you don’t have a website (find out why you should have a website), use colours that match your logo or other marketing materials.
Information
The ultimate goal of a business card is to get people to contact you.
To achieve this, you need to include your relevant contact information. At a minimum, most business cards should include a contact name, phone number, email address, and website URL.
You can include a street address if your business has a brick-and-mortar shop or office. If you don’t have an address but service a specific area, you could include that information.
Listing your services may also be wise if your company name doesn’t make it clear what you do.
Remember to make use of both sides!
When including any information, double-check the spelling and details are correct. You don’t want to print 500 business cards to find out that your phone number is wrong by one number.
Social Media Profiles
Along with your standard contact information, including your social media profiles on your business cards is essential.
Social media has become crucial for all types of companies as a way for potential customers to interact and communicate with businesses.
If you don’t have a social media presence, you’re missing out!
You don’t need to include every social media channel you have. It’s best to focus on your main profiles as not to overwhelm someone who receives your card.
Conclusion
Your company business card is an extension of your business. It remains the fastest and easiest way to share your contact information and one of the best methods of reminding people about you and your business.
If you don’t know where to start, don’t worry!
Getting your business card right is easy with us. Our hellooo design graphic design team can create something you’ll love and then print your business card to meet your needs.
Check out some of our graphic and website designs on our Behance profile.
If you already have an old business card, why not get a new look?
Call us on 0333 014 4472 or email us at info@hellooodesign.com to get the process started.
