Digital business cards. What, how and why?

What is a digital business card or eCard?

Sharing contact information is easier than ever with digital business cards. Also known as virtual business cards or eCards, digital business cards offer greater flexibility, interactivity, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability than physical cards. You can control the details you share and you can share your eCards anywhere and with anyone, just through a simple scan of a QR code. You can create multiple eCards for different situations such as your job, your home life, your side hustle etc. In each case you control the information that you put on the card and you can keep your digital footprint appropriate for each situation.

Why use eCards?

An eCard is a digital representation of a traditional business card.It contains all the appropriate contact information of an individual or business. Name, title, phone numbers, emails, websites, addresses, social media handles and much much more. Traditional contact managers on your computer or your phone allow you to do this but sharing can be difficult since it requires the receiver to give you their email address or phone number which is not always possible or appropriate. Besides being convenient, accessible, and cost-effective (we’ll discuss these aspects in the following sections), an eCard system makes your whole contact system work better in many ways It fits in seamlessly in the digital age that we live in.

eCards can be easily customized to reflect your brand image and include links to your website, social media profiles, and other relevant information. They are contactless and can be easily transferred to anyone. QR codes and other online sharing options make it child’s play to forward your virtual business card. Also, a digital business card can help improve your professional or personal imageand make a positive impression on potential clients, employers or friends.

Many Digital Business Card systems allow you to manage the contact information you receive better too. If you scan somebody’s card who has the same system then additional information can be stored with the contact such as where you met them and when. Some systems also allow you to scan physical business cards and automatically create a contact from the information on the card. Rather than losing a physical business card or having to laboriously type the information from the card into your contact system, an eCard system does all the hard work for you.

Overall, having a eCard in today's digital age is essential for anyone who wants to stay connected and relevant in the business world.

How to create a digital business card

Choosing the right platform

Once you have decided to create a digital business card for yourself, the first step has to be logging in on a platform that gives you the desired result. Go for a platform that allows you to add a picture of yourself to the card, attach external links, gives enough template options, manages your existing contacts and is quick, simple and easy to use.

Essential information to include

To make your digital business card more engaging and memorable, consider adding interactive elements such as links to your website or social media profiles, QR codes, and finally, a photo of yourself. These elements can provide more information about you, your brand or products, and make it easier for people to remember you and connect with you.

Design and branding considerations

Use high-quality visuals, such as images, logos, or graphics, to enhance the design of your digital business card. Make sure that the visuals are relevant to your brand and message, and that they are optimized for digital platforms. Avoid using too many visuals or making them too large, as this can slow down the load time of your card.

Benefits of having a digital business card

Convenience and accessibility

A digital business card can be easily accessed and shared with anyone, anywhere, and at any time. It eliminates the need to carry a physical business card, making it more convenient to share contact information.

Security and control

You can create multiple eCards for different situations. You don’t want to share your home address with a potential client. You don’t want to share your work email address with your friends. You don’t want to share anything except your Instagram handle with somebody you met in a bar. Create different cards for different situations and control your contact details securely.

Increased visibility and reach

With an e-business card, you can share your business information with anybody in just a few seconds. They just scan your QR code and the information is stored in their phone. Much better than giving them a business card which languishes at the bottom of a pocket or a bag until it is thrown away. Research has found that nearly two thirds of all business cards are thrown in the bin. Don’t let that be your information that is discarded.

Cost-effective

Creating and distributing a digital business card is more cost-effective than printing traditional business cards and with CardZap, you can do it for free. With a digital business card, you don't need to spend money on printing, designing, and shipping. And, if your details change, you edit the card in seconds to update the information. If the person you shared your eCard with also has CardZap, your new details are automatically updated for them.

Environmentally friendly

Every year more than 10 billion business paper cards are printed. This is equivalent to nearly a million trees being used for business cards every year and nearly 90% of the cards end up in landfill within a week! eCards are an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional business cards.

Customizable

Business cards should create a long-lasting impression on the viewer. With an eCard, you can have your preferred text format and design, however minimalist or extravagant it is. You can add a picture of yourself, so people remember who you are and include your social media accounts, a company logo, or other important links.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, the electronic version of a traditional business card, can be easily shared via scanning a QR code, email, messaging apps, or social media platforms. Digital business cards have become increasingly popular in recent years, as they are more eco-friendly, cost-effective, and convenient than paper cards.

Final thoughts and recommendations

Cardzap is a modern, simple and free way to create beautiful eCards which you can make in minutes and then share and access on your phone in seconds. eCards are not just ordinary cards, they are interactive, visually appealing, and eco-friendly. They provide a convenient and hassle-free way to exchange contact information, and they can be easily shared with anyone, anywhere, at any time.

The cards are customizable, allowing professionals to showcase their brand and message in a unique and personalized way. With our easy-to-use design tools, users can create and edit their digital business cards in minutes, without any technical skills or design experience.