A business card can help you convert potential customers, but it needs to leave a lasting impression first. Knowing what information to include on a business card can make all the difference.
A well-designed card catches the eye and serves as a vital marketing tool, representing your brand and drawing potential customers to learn more about your products or services.
Whether you’re just starting out or expanding your business, your visiting card is often the first point of contact with your audience. As such, including relevant information that reflects your business in a positive light is crucial.
So, what to put on a business card? This question is key to ensuring your card effectively communicates your message and encourages further engagement with your brand.
In this guide, we’ll cover all you need to know about what to put on a business card:
The front side of your business card
Visiting card represents two distinct entities: you and your business. Typically, designers divide these entities across the card layout. On one side, known as the “front,” you’ll find details about your employer and their services. On the flip side, the “back,” you’ll discover specific information about you and your role within the company.
The front of your business card should feature key details like the company name, logo, and slogan, giving people a quick understanding of what your business is about.
Logo
The logo is a graphical representation of your company’s identity. It’s designed to be easily recognizable and memorable, serving as a visual representation of your brand identity. A well-designed logo can convey the essence of your business and evoke positive associations with your brand.
When designing your visiting card, Feature your logo on the front. Make sure to use a high-quality image with crisp edges, printed at 300dpi. Avoid crowding the logo with text or making it too large and make sure to leave some breathing room around it by adding white space. If your logo feels cramped, scale it down and give it more room to shine.
Company name and destination
While your logo is important, don’t forget to include your company name on your visiting cards too. Make sure it’s given plenty of space because your name is what people are most likely to remember.
For example, if your business is a photography studio, consider using “Sunrise Photography” instead of just “Sunrise” or “Photography Studio.” Likewise, if you offer accounting services, opt for “Precision Accounting Solutions” instead of abbreviating “PAS.”
Tagline
A tagline is a brief and catchy phrase that summarises the essence of your brand or communicates a key benefit of your products or services in a single line.
For instance, consider a company like Summit Solutions, which utilises the tagline “Innovative IT Solutions” on their business cards. This short phrase effectively communicates their expertise and core service offerings in the field of information technology.
Businesses can communicate professionalism, honesty, and clear focus with concise taglines, leaving a memorable impression on clients.
The back end of your business card
The back of your business card is your personal space within the professional world. While keeping the design similar to the front, it’s where you can show more about yourself. By using the same colours and fonts, and maybe even your company logo, you make everything look connected.
But, unlike the front, the back is all about you. It’s where you can stand out and leave your mark. So, it’s important to share important things about yourself here.
On the back of your card, be sure to put your name, job title, address, social media handles, QR code and contact info. These details not only show you’re someone to connect with but also make the card more personal—it’s about you and your role in the company.
Your name and title
The contact information on your visiting card should include your email address and phone number, as these are the primary means by which most people will contact you. When designing your card, make sure your details are easy to read and prominently placed, aligning them left, right, or centre.
If you prefer one method of communication over the other, consider highlighting it with a larger size or prominent placement. This ensures potential clients or contacts can easily connect with you.
Contact details
Add a personal touch to your business card by including your full name and job title as it helps people remember you better, especially if they struggle with names.
Also, think about including a professional headshot, especially if you work directly with clients. A photo can make your brand feel more personal and leave a lasting impression.
This approach works well for professions like real estate agents, photographers, and healthcare providers, as it helps showcase the person behind the business and builds trust with potential clients.
Your Address (online or physical)
You can stop using “http” from your web address on your business card. It’s unnecessary and takes up valuable space. Also it is crucial to maintain consistency between your card design and website, ensuring a seamless transition for potential customers who visit your site.
Additionally, including your physical address can enhance foot traffic to your brick-and-mortar location, while omitting it may be preferable if your business operates exclusively online, allowing you to optimise space on your card.
A website serves as a core platform for building and showcasing a brand’s online identity. You can include multiple links to relevant sites, categorizing them as:
- Personal
- Company
- Professional
- Social media
- Portfolio
- Additional
If your company has a presence on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn, including your social media handles allows people to connect with you online and stay updated on your latest news and promotions. It’s an excellent way to extend your reach and engage with your audience beyond the confines of your visiting card.
QR code
If space is limited on your business card, adding a QR code can provide the solution. This code allows customers to easily access additional information, such as operating hours, special promotions, or your small business story.
Practical print information
Planning to print a business card? Then it is important to know about the bleed, safety, and trim area.
- Bleed: This is the extra area around the edges of your design to ensure that there are no white borders or gaps after trimming. Typically, a bleed area of 0.125 inches (or 3mm) is added to all sides of the card’s design.
- Safety: The safety area is where you should keep essential text and graphics to prevent them from being accidentally trimmed off during printing. It’s typically 0.125 inches (or 3mm) from the trim edge on all sides.
- Trim Area: This is the final size of the business card after trimming. Design within these dimensions to ensure your card looks as intended.
Now that you know what to put on a business card, it’s time to order your own. Ready to make a lasting impression? Contact us today to design your custom business cards and take your networking game to the next level!
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