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The business card is dead…long live the digital business card!

Digital business cards – not something on many people’s radar a few years ago, but today, an online search for “digital business card” brings up millions of results.

What is a digital business card, what is driving their popularity, and why might you need one?

What is a digital business card?

Not so long ago, the business card was ubiquitous. Starting a new job meant being presented with a small plastic box of cards with your name, role and contact details on. A rite of passage into the corporate world.

And for those in sales or customer-facing roles, handing over your business card was an essential part of any business meeting. In the days before email, mobile phones or WhatsApp, giving your prospective customers details of who you were and how to get hold of you was essential.

Digital business cards, or electronic business cards, do exactly what they say: they provide a digital version of the traditional paper business card. In a world of online events and remote working, taking your contact information digital seems like a smart choice.

What’s driven the rise of the digital business card?

When I got my first business cards, I sent one to my parents. I can’t really remember handing out many more! And although some client-facing colleagues – regulars at business events and trade fairs – got through boxes and boxes, every time I changed role or had a promotion, there would be a barely-touched box of cards heading for the bin.

Not very environmentally friendly. And with more and more businesses taking their ESG responsibilities seriously and looking at ways to tackle ESG risk in the marketing supply chain, particularly around sustainability, this isn’t a good look. Electronic business cards do away with this waste; one key reason for their rise in popularity.

There’s also the practicality of the paper versus the digital business card. With the majority of UK firms maintaining some form of hybrid working following the pandemic, paper business cards no longer do the trick.

If you meet people at a digital event or do a new business pitch via video conference, a hard copy business card isn’t much use to you. Ping across a digital business card to your new contact, or even easier, include a QR code in it, however, and they have your details, not just in their desk drawer but in many cases, automatically added to their phone contacts or synched with their email account.

Two pretty compelling advantages of digital business cards over traditional ones.

The benefits of digital business cards

Are digital business cards better? There are many compelling reasons to say “yes”. What are the benefits of digital business cards?

1. They’re flexible and adaptable

A digital business card allows you to share information across devices, seamlessly and instantly.

There are no space constraints, unlike a printed card; no more truncated job titles, and you are free to add enhancing details, like logos, social media links and more, enabling contacts to connect with you in the way they choose.

Today’s electronic business cards even allow you to add photos (great for those not too good at remembering names!) or a QR code for ease of scanning and adding details to your contacts’ devices.

2. They’re future proof

Remember those unused boxes of cards we talked about? Every time your role, name or contact details change – there’s another load of business cards wasted. The digital business card does away with this waste, reducing costs and improving sustainability.

3. They’re convenient

No more leaving your box of cards in your desk drawer: if you can access your phone or computer, you have access to your electronic business card.

4. They support your ESG strategy

Less waste, less paper, less production, less delivery mileage: there’s no reason not to love digital business cards from an ESG perspective. Taking your business cards digital is a quick win on your ESG journey.

5. They reduce costs

Add up the spend on all your paper business cards that languish in drawers, or are quickly discarded by those they’re given to. It’s likely to be significant. Think where else you could use this money – particularly at a time of rising costs.

6. They’re contactless

Share details with anyone at any time, with no need to meet. Business travel is under pressure, from covid restrictions, which are likely to come and go; cost scrutiny; and sustainability perspectives. Many people have become comfortable with digital or hybrid events, and meetings are often done remotely for reasons of practicality and efficiency.  Being able to share your contact details with people digitally is crucial.

7. They instantly make you part of your contacts’ online world

Seamlessly integrate your details into your contacts’ workflow. Make following up easier and quicker, building connections effortlessly.

How do I create a digital business card?

Search “digital business cards” and you will find numerous options for creating cards for free online. But a bit like those business cards you could print at train stations and shopping centres in the “old days”, these freebies won’t scale for larger businesses or offer the security that you need.

As with so many things, calling in the professionals is the answer.

The Perivan business card app is a premium digital business card platform.

If you want to make the switch from paper to digital, Perivan’s design skills and technological expertise gives digital business cards the edge. Perivan’s experienced team can advise on the best options, and the Perivan Digital Business Card gives you the instant, cost-effective, ESG-friendly connectivity you need.

Watch this short video to find out more or contact us for advice on how you can make the switch to digital