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Digital business cards act as a more convenient and innovative networking alternative to traditional business cards. You can create these business cards online with the help of several apps, software, or platforms with the click of a button. Moreover, creating a digital card for your business does not have to come with a hefty price. Several platforms enable you to design free business cards.
Using these cards is convenient because you can store your contact details in them, just like on a conventional business card. The digital version can also be accessible as a website that prospective clients and stakeholders can use to understand your services and products. Are you looking to create such a digital card for free? This comprehensive blog will explain the details of a digital business card, how to create one online for free, and other relevant details. So, let’s get started!
Understanding A Digital Business Card
A digital business card is an effective and sustainable way to share your contact and business information when networking with other clients, stakeholders, or even companies. It includes information such as your name, company name, designation, contact details, and website address. However, the digital business card is in an online format, which makes it capable of doing more for your business than the traditional paper card.
Digital business cards are often called electronic business cards or virtual business cards, depending on the respective card provider. You will find these cards on people’s phones or computers. They can also be shared by QR code, NFC technology, or links. Digital business cards have become a popular alternative to normal paper cards because of their sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and multi-faceted usage.
These free business cards enable you to:
- Schedule meetings
- Link your website
- Add relevant social media links
- Direct customers to landing pages
- Track card engagement
Top Benefits of a Digital Business Card
Digital business cards are a great tool to enhance brand awareness. It will help enhance your networking interactions and show you are willing to adapt to changing times. Some of its top benefits include:
1. They Are Convenient
You can have your digital business card on hand as long as your computer or phone is within reach. Since everything is electronic, you do not need to worry about a low card supply or leaving your business cards at home. These cards also have the convenience of being editable and can be updated with your and your business’ latest contact information.
2. They Are Cost-effective
You can find multiple free card templates and create your business cards online easily without any technical knowledge or skills. There is no need to pay a lot of money for paper cards that will get thrown away by some people or lost by the recipients.
3. They Offer Efficient Follow-Ups
A digital business card is always sent online, which goes directly to the receiver’s inbox, making it easy to integrate it into their respective workflow. Online business cards also make client follow-up more efficient and simple.
4. They Enable Contactless Sharing
Online meetups and virtual events are part of our everyday professional life. That is why digital business cards are a staple for all kinds of professional online networking.
Additionally, you can share your electronic business cards with anyone through QR codes, emails, or texts. Moreover, anyone in attendance can scan the card with their mobile device and easily access your contact information.
Steps to Create Free Business Cards Online
Various apps or card-building platforms make it easy to create your own digital business card. This enables quick, effortless, and contactless sharing while remaining sustainable and cost-effective. The steps to create your digital business cards are as follows:
Step 1: Create an Account
Register at your desired business card-building platform and create your own account. In most cases, you will need to sign up with your email address and other personal details. Some of the popular options for creating a free digital business card are as follows:
1. Canva
Canva is a premier graphic design platform that lets you create a digital business card without any hassle. It also provides an easy-to-use editor that can incorporate your branding materials, including logos, font colors, and more.
2. Adobe Express
Adobe Express is another platform that can help you create a visually rich and unique digital business card in minutes. This free option offers thousands of diverse templates that you can customize to suit your needs.
3. ShareECard
ShareEcard is one of the best free digital business card makers online. It provides customizable templates that can be incorporated with links to your online portfolio website, LinkedIn profile, or other platforms.
4. QRCodeChimp
QRCodeChimp is one of the most straightforward and effective digital business card makers in the market today. It offers a drag-and-drop editor that is easy to use to customize your preferred template. You can also add your brand images, a personal photo, and more.
5. HiHello
Another suitable option for creating free digital business cards is HiHello. It offers customizable templates for every business and professional. The platform also caters to those looking to increase their personal branding. You can share your digital card through smartphones and Apple Wallet, too.
Step 2: Choose Your Design
Once you have selected your platform, choose a suitable design. There are no limits to your creativity with the design options you get on several apps and platforms. All you need to do is select from a wide range of fonts, designs, layouts and backgrounds.
Step 3: Fill in Your Details
Fill in your profile details with a picture (optional), a name, social media or website links, and a description. Usually, you can access different options to fill your digital business card. Some platforms even let you add links to your landing pages or e-commerce stores.
Step 4: Share Your Digital Business Card
You can start networking with the free business cards once everything is set up. Most platforms offer you plenty of options for sharing your contact information, including QR codes, PNG or SVG format, or through emails. You may also use it on digital flyers, presentations, stickers, or even during virtual meetings.
Tips to Make a Standard Business Card
You can create as many free business cards as you want. However, if you are still confused about how to proceed with your card, follow these tips to make the process more intuitive:
1. Add Your Necessary Profile Information
Your profile information contains essential details and is the first thing any person sees while viewing your digital business card. Hence, ensure to add the most relevant information to your card. Your business card must have the following information:
- First and last name
- Professional photo
- Company name and logo
- Company designation and department
- Name prefixes, suffixes, and pronouns
2. Make it Easier for All Recipients to Reach Out
Your digital business card must have all the information necessary for the receivers to reach out to you, as its ultimate purpose is to convert leads and network. Here is a recommendation of the most important details to include in your business card:
- Phone numbers
- Email addresses
- Website links
- Optionally, your geographical location on Google Maps
You can add as many website links, phone numbers, and emails as you like to your card so that your leads and prospects can contact you over time.
3. Include Clickable Social Media Icons
Displaying different bare social links does not make for a visually appealing digital business card. You can make your card visually rich by using various social media icons on your business cards to boost its visual appeal.
You can add icons from different social media categories, like:
- Popular social platforms (LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and Instagram)
- Video-sharing platforms (YouTube, Vimeo, Twitch, and Wistia)
- Community hubs (Github and Discord)
- Payment gateways (CashApp, Paypal, and Venmo)
- Instant messaging apps (WhatsApp or Telegram)
- Portfolio platforms (Behance, Dribble, and Pinterest)
- Other social links (Shopify, Calendly, and Yelp)
- Custom URLs (Any URL of your choice)
Where to Share a Digital Business Card?
Sharing digital business cards online is simple and is possible through a variety of platforms that include:
1. QR Code
First, create a QR code for your digital business card. Recipients can use their mobile devices to scan the code to gain access to your digital business card. Embed the QR Code image in the background of all video meetings so all the recipients can scan it at their convenience.
2. Text Or Email
Most digital business card makers have a share option, which means you can enter your emails and phone numbers directly. This enables the specific mobile app to send your card across other platforms automatically.
3. Embed In Your Email Signature
Use the QR code or link to embed your email signature into the business card. This will enable you to sync your online card with the automated email signature.
4. Post The Relevant Link
Make sure to include your digital business card on all your social media accounts, your website’s landing page, and anywhere potential customers or industry peers may be spending time on the internet.
5. NFC Business Card
You can tap your phone simply against another NFC-enabled device to share your business card instantly. This usually applies to all NFC-enabled devices. This particular technology offers an efficient and convenient way for all professionals and businesses to exchange contact information in person.
Bottom Line
Networking has advanced at a record pace in today’s world thanks to our increasing reliance on evolving technology. Everything from how you do business, meet people, or exchange contact information is changing to reflect an eco-friendly and sustainable society.
There is no denying that paper business cards have been a networking staple. However, exchanging and managing certain bits of paper is no longer convenient in the present context. This is where a digital business card comes in. You can create and access this card easily at any time and on any device. All you need to do is approach a platform that specializes in offering free business cards. Then, you can register yourself on the same platform to start creating the card of your choice for all business needs.
Moreover, use the infrastructure of Neo, a popular email hosting platform, to make the most of your digital card. You can create .edu or .com email addresses with your custom domain. However, create a professional business email even if you don’t have a domain by choosing from a .co.site domain offered by Neo. So, sign up for Neo and enjoy its limited-period trial to create a free email address.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. How do I create a digital business card for free?
You can create a free digital business card with the help of various apps, software, and online platforms available on the internet. However, the easiest option to create the card is by using an app that you can download on iOS, Android, or the web. This unique application will help you create, customize, and share your first business card.
Q2. How can I make a digital copy of my business card?
It is possible to digitize all business cards online. You can use any smartphone scanning app or high-quality scanner to scan your card. Make sure the scan is clear and shows all details by adjusting the settings. Then, you can save the file in either PDF or JPEG format after the scanning is complete. You can use various other apps and services that enable you to enter the card’s information manually and generate its digital version.
Q3. Is my digital business card safe?
Digital business cards or virtual business cards are always safe for use. These cares help facilitate the exchange of confidential and sensitive information. For this reason, several digital business card solutions also implement various security measures to protect user data across all levels.