Ultimate Guide 2024: What is a digital business card?

Your Ultimate Guide to Digital Business Cards

Networking is evolving at a record pace thanks to our increasing reliance on technology. Everything from how we do business, how we meet up, and even how we exchange contact information is changing to reflect a paperless, eco-friendly society. 

While paper business cards have long been a networking staple, exchanging and managing bits of paper is no longer convenient in our digital world. 

More and more professionals are turning to digital business cards to share information with new contacts easily. This is especially true for professionals who rely on relationships to drive their business growth and boost their bottom line. 

But what is a digital business card, do you need one? This article explores what is a digital business card, how does a digital business card work, how to create a digital business card and how to send a digital business card. Let’s take a look at the revolutionary way to share contact information through a digital business card format to expand your network and grow your business today!

What Is a Digital Business Card And How does a digital business card work? 

A digital business cards, also known as an electronic or virtual business card, is a way to share and save contact information in real-time quickly. They are customized with your unique information and can be as detailed or general as you wish. 

How does a digital business card work? When you are ready to share it, you would provide a URL, a QR Code, or embed it on your webpage. The recipient would click the link or scan the QR Code and access all your contact information. 

Some free digital business card apps require the recipient to have the same app, but others allow you to share your contact information without being dependent on the mobile app. 

Digital business cards empower professionals to make a lasting impression in the digital realm, facilitating efficient networking, easy information exchange, and seamless connectivity.

Top Benefits of a Virtual Business Card

Digital business cards are the best way to move your brand forward. In this digital era, your virtual business card will enhance your networking interactions and demonstrate that you are willing to adapt to changing times. 

1. They Are Convenient 

You’ll always have your business cards on hand as long as you have your phone or computer within reach. Since everything is electronic, you don’t need to worry about a low card supply or leaving them at home. 

Digital business cards also have the convenience of being extremely editable, meaning they are always up-to-date with your latest contact information.

2. They Are Cost-effective

Because you can easily find free digital business card templates and create them yourself, there’s no need to pay hundreds of dollars on paper cards that will probably get thrown away or lost by the recipient.

If you are looking for a more premium virtual business card, some apps allow you to upgrade your card design to include custom URLs, QR Codes, unique colors, and more. 

3. They Offer Seamless Follow-Ups

When you share a digital business card, it goes directly to the receiver’s inbox, making it easy to integrate into their workflow.  Virtual business cards make following up simple and more efficient, which leads to the development of more robust connections.

4. They Allow For Contactless Sharing

Because online meetups and virtual events are part of our everyday life, virtual business cards are a staple for professional online networking. 

You can share electronic business cards with anyone over email, text, or social media. You can even hold up a QR Code during a video call, and anyone in attendance can scan with a mobile device and access your contact information. 

5. They Make A Statement

When you share a digital business card, you are making a statement about yourself and your brand. By having a virtual card at the read, you will stand out from the crowd and inspire a new trend in your industry, especially if you are the first to pioneer them! 

How To Make a Digital Business Card

There are many digital business cards providers, but we will focus on KADO, an excellent platform for creating and managing digital business cards. With its user-friendly interface and robust features, KADO offers a seamless solution for professionals seeking to digitize their networking efforts.

KADO provides both free and premium plans, making it accessible to individuals and businesses of all sizes. The free plan offers essential features, such as customizable templates and contact information storage, while the premium plans unlock advanced functionalities like analytics tracking and multimedia content embedding. After learning what is a digital business card and how to make a digital business card you are ready to explore how to create a digital business card in the following section. In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through the process of how to create digital business card that represents your professional identity.

Step-by-Step guide of how to create a Digital Business Card:

Step 1: Define Your Objective and Target Audience

Before diving into the design process, it's essential to identify your objective and target audience. Are you a creative professional looking to showcase your portfolio? Understanding your objective will help shape the overall design and content of your digital business card. Consider your target audience's preferences and needs.

Step 2: Choose a Digital Business Card App or Software

There are several platforms and software options available for creating digital business cards, we recommend KADO as the best digital business card app.

Creating a Digital Business Card Through the KADO Mobile App

While setting up a digital business card through a web browser offers more flexibility, the KADO mobile app provides a convenient solution for those on the go. Here's a step-by-step guide to how to create a digital business card using the KADO app:

1. Sign Up

1. Download the KADO app from the App Store or Play Store if you haven't already.

2. Sign up for an account using either one-click sign up (SSO) with Outlook or Gmail, or with your email and a one-time passcode (OTP).

3. Fill in your basic information, such as name, last name, and avatar. Provide your professional details, including company name and position. Ensure notifications are enabled for important updates.

2. Complete Your Profile

1. Design: Customize the look of your virtual business card by selecting a theme and changing colors to match your branding. You can also choose a cover image and adjust background colors and text. Anyone can design an electronic business card and be ready to share it on the same day. You can create these eco-friendly alternatives on an iPhone, Android device, or computer. They are more affordable than their paper counterparts because there are no printing or shipping costs, and you can easily change or add information. 

💡 PRO TIP: Consider using high-quality images or videos that showcase your work or products. However, be mindful of the file size and ensure that they don't slow down the loading time of your digital business card.

2. Company Info: Add your company's information, including name, website, address, and a brief description.

Unlike paper business cards, there are no limits to how much contact info can fit. When planning your virtual business card, consider adding some or all of the following information: 

• Name and Job Title 
• Business Name And Logo 
• Phone Number / Email adress
• Social Media Accounts For Your Brand 
• A Picture Or Short Video
• Bright Colors And Eye Catching Branding Design

Because they are easy to make and edit, you can create multiple digital business cards for different purposes, like personal networking and another for your business-centered social network. 

💡PRO TIP: Ensure that the contact information is clear, well-organized, and easily readable. Consider using clickable links for email addresses and website URLs to provide a seamless user experience.

3. Social Links: Include links to your social media profiles by adding them under the Social Links section. Remember to use https:// in the URL to ensure proper linking.

4. Special Buttons and Video: Enhance your card with special buttons for calls to action or embedded videos to showcase your work or services.

Step 3: Test and Optimize

Test your digital business card functionality across many devices and platforms to ensure optimal compatibility and functionality. Test the interactivity features, such as clickable links and multimedia elements, to ensure they work as intended.

Step 4: Share and Track Engagement

5. Save and Share: Once you've made all the edits, save your changes and start sharing your digital business card. You can view your QR codes, add the card to your wallet, scan paper cards, and share your card through a link directly from the app.

Track the engagement and effectiveness of your digital business card using analytics tools provided by the platform. Monitor metrics such as views, click-through rates, and engagement rates to gain insights into the performance of your card. This data can help you refine your networking strategy and make informed decisions for future updates.

Where Can I Share My Digital Business Card? 

The beauty of having a virtual business card is that sharing is simple and can be done in several different ways. 

• Share With A QR Code: Recipients can use their mobile device to scan this code and gain access to your contact info. Embed the QR Code image in the background of video meetings so people can scan at their convenience. 
• Share Through Text Or Email: Your digital business card platform will have a share option, which means you can directly input emails and phone numbers and allow the mobile app to send your card automatically. 
• Embed In Your Email Signature: Using the link or QR code, you can include your virtual business card in your automated email signature. 
• Post The Link: Remember to include your electronic business card on all your social media accounts, your landing page, and anywhere industry peers or potential customers may be spending time.
• NFC Business Card: With NFC-enabled devices, you can simply tap your phone against another NFC-enabled device to instantly share your digital business card. This technology offers a seamless and convenient way to exchange contact information in person.

The more accessible your digital business card is, the more likely your contact info will end up in an address book that will lead to a sales lead or new business contact. 

Get Started With A Virtual Business Card Today 

During a time when many networking opportunities occur online, having a contactless way to share your contact information is a must. No matter your industry, a digital business card communicates that you are a leader in your field. 

Now that you know what is a digital business card, how does a digital business card work, how to create a digital business card, how to send a digital business card, feel free to create and share your digital business card today to make a statement and seize every opportunity to widen your professional social network. 

Digital Business Card FAQs

How can I make my virtual business card stand out? 

To make your digital business card stand out, include social media information, bright colors, and engaging videos to capture your recipients’ attention. 

What should I avoid putting on my digital business card? 

Avoid including outdated information, glaring typos, and too much visual clutter when creating a digital business card. 

What are the best colors and fonts for virtual business cards? 

Dark backgrounds with pops of bright colors, like red, will make your card memorable and eye-catching. Fonts should always be easy to read and communicate your brand’s tone.