Your Step By Step Guide to Creating Your Digital Business Card

Last Updated on August 11, 2022

When you’re starting a business, one of the most important things you can do is create a professional-looking business card. This is the first impression you give to potential clients, and it’s crucial that you make it a good one.

But in a digital world where you may be meeting virtually instead of in person, a smart or digital business card is a must-have. In this guide, I’ll give you a quick and dirty step-by-step guide on how to make a digital business card.

What Are Digital or Virtual Business Cards?

You may be first wondering what is a digit business card and how does it work?

A digital business card is an electronic version of a traditional paper business card. It can be stored on a smartphone or other mobile device and exchanged electronically with different mobile devices.

Problems With Traditional Business Cards

You can’t easily update the information without having to spend money reprinting them.
Once you hand out a card, there’s no way to give your client updated information as things change or upgrade over time.
There’s limited space with how much you can fit in one small space.
There’s no nice way to organize the information without manually adding it to your phone.
You can’t add easy links without a QR code.

Advantages of Digital Business Cards

You can update the information with a few clicks of a button, which updates your information for any cardholder.
You can add a lot more information including business awards, samples of your work, videos, and photos.
Easily link social media platforms to increase conversion rates.
Many often have business scanners so you can organize any physical cards you’ve received.

The great thing about most digital business cards is that your client or customer you’re sending the information to does not need to have any special app to receive the information.

How to Make a Digital Business Card

Without further ado, let’s get started with the step-by-step guide.

Step 1: Choose Your Type of Digital Business Card

Before actually getting started in creating your digital business card, you need to decide what type you want.

Since this is such a new and evolving concept, we haven’t quite seen which option will become the industry leader. They each have their own pros and cons, so different options may be a better fit for others.

There are a few types of technology a digital business card can contain. Some companies offer multiple components, but you’ll likely pay more for the additional features.

NFC Technology

Near Field Communication, or NFC, is a technology that allows devices to communicate with each other when they are close to each other. It’s mainly used for contactless payments (think of this when you pay for your morning coffee with your phone).

This same technology can be used to transfer information (such as a digital business card) from one phone to another by simply having them close to one another.

Some business card companies, like Popl, create an NFC sticker that you attach to the back of your phone. By simply tapping another Android or iPhone user, you can send your digital business card in a few seconds.

This is great for:

In-person conferences where you are networking with a lot of people.
A great way to impress future clients with really cool technology.

QR Code Digital Business Card

After years of scanning QR codes to get a restaurant menu, many of us have used these before. But in case you haven’t, a QR code (Quick Response Code) is a two-dimensional barcode that can be read by smartphones and scanners. They are used to store information such as website addresses, contact information, or even text messages.

When you create a QR code for your digital business card, it will link to all of your business information.

QR Codes are great for:

Familiarity. Many people will recognize this technology when you use it as a way to transfer your virtual business card.
Multi-functionality. You can attach your QR code to fliers, brochures, emails, and pretty much anything you use in your marketing strategy.

Digital Business Card Apps

There are also many apps that make it easy to create digital business cards. The benefits of having an app often include an easy process to create multiple cards, and of course, is easily accessible on your mobile device.

A Digital Business Business Card App is great for

Those that have an iPhone or Android and are comfortable using apps
Often a more affordable option, with free versions available.
Create a business card design quickly and easily.
May have a built-in business card scanner so you can organize any

Now, as I mentioned before, many companies have a combination of the above features (for instance, it is accessible via an app and creates a QR code).

Step 2: Determine The Features You’re Looking For

Now that you have an idea of the different types of technology around digital business cards, it’s time to look at a few more features and what your needs are.

Company Size: Are you a solopreneur, or are you looking to purchase a business contact opportunity for your entire company?
Budget: Are you looking for a free plan, or can you spare a few dollars a month?
Design: How important is the design of your card? Some companies offer extremely modern, sleek designs complete with video images in the background.
Sharing Options: Are you looking for a way to share your digital business card via email, social media, or text message? Some apps make this easier than others.
Storage and Organization: Do you want an app that will keep track of all the digital business cards you’ve collected and help you organize them?

Step 3: Choose Your Company & Design Your Electronic Business Card

Now hopefully, after reading the first two steps, you have an idea of what your digital business card needs are. It’s now time to choose a company to work with designing your digital business card.

I’ve created a breakdown of the best digital business card companies so that you can make your decision easier.

Once you’ve chosen the company, simply follow their prompts to create your digital business card online.

You can use the following business card checklist so that you don’t forget to add anything.

Digital Business Card Checklist

Company Name
Company Logo
Employee Name and Title
Contact information including email, phone number, and fax number if needed.
Social Media links include Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and whatever else is appropriate for your industry.
Website URL
Location Address (Map & Directions Link if you have a physical location people can visit)
QR Code or the App download link
Add any other relevant information such as membership numbers, awards, or anything to help stand your company apart from the others.

And that’s it! You now have a beautiful, modern, digital business card that will impress any potential client or customer. Plus, you can easily update it as needed and share it with anyone, anywhere. No more lost business cards or forgotten contact information. Go forth and network away!

Step 4: Attach it To All Appropriate Platforms

Lastly, it’s time to attach your digital business card to multiple platforms including LinkedIn profile, Twitter, and Facebook. You can even include it on your personal website or blog.

If you purchased a QR code, then you can attach this to any marketing materials such as brochures or attach it to the end of an email signature on Gmail or Outlook.

There are endless opportunities to use and share your digital business card, so get creative. The more you use it, the more exposure your company will get.

Step 5: Practice Using It Before Meeting Potential Clients

This may be obvious, but please practice sending your virtual business card before you use it. This will save you from an embarrassing moment.

I recommend sending it to a friend or family member to test it out and ask them to access all links to make sure they’re in working order.

Step 6: Network Virtually and Share Your Business Card

You can share your business card in a ton of new ways: texts, contactless exchange, emails, and social media.

If you’re someone who works from home and meets your coworkers through Zoom meetings then this is a great way to network.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do digital business cards work?

Digital business cards are essentially electronic versions of the classic paper business card. They contain all the same information as a paper card but in a digital format.

You simply create the digital business card, then you can send it to others with NFC, QR codes, or email/text/share modes from the app.

Why choose a virtual business card over a physical business card?

If you’ve ever been to a conference, then you know that a business card typically ends up in a massive pile in a drawer or straight in the trash. A virtual card allows you to neatly organize your business contacts and are easily accessible.

What platforms can I share my digital business card on?

Most digital business cards can be shared via email, social media, text message, or even printed out if you’re still missing the physical aspect of the business card.

Are there any free versions available?

Yes! There are tons of apps that have a free version available, which can be very useful if you’re needing just a single business card for yourself.

Will a virtual business card increase my business exposure?

If used correctly, a digital business card can definitely leave your clients with a more memorable experience, which can increase conversions.

Some business card apps also include premium plans which include tracking features such as how many views your cards receive and different marketing analytics.