What makes a good business card? 10 golden rules

Reading time: 8 minutes

A business card represents the next step in making your small business dream a reality. For many potential customers, it’s also the first interaction they’ll have with your brand, so make sure it’s a positive one.

A thoughtfully designed business card does more than just carry your contact information. It will make you look professional, build trust for customers and set your small business apart from others. 

But before you start giving out business cards to everyone you meet, ask yourself: What makes a good business card design? How can you make it stand out?

The answer? By carefully considering the information you include, and how you present it. Here, we’ve put together 10 essential tips on how to design a card that best represents you and your business. And we’ll tell you what to avoid when designing a business card. 

For extra advice, we spoke to Tristan Le Breton, Creative Director at 99designs by Vista, a global platform that makes it easy for small businesses to work with professional designers to create logos, websites and more.

Ready to get started? Here’s how to design a business card:

What to avoid when designing a business card

1. Find a template that reflects your brand’s personality.

Your business card says a lot about you and your small business, so be sure to choose a design that reflects your brand. For example, if you’re an interior designer who specializes in modern styling and loves clean lines, create a card that’s clean and simple. Or maybe you’re a dog walker with an outgoing personality—reflect the fun nature of your business with a colorful, less formal card.

Tip

Ask a friend what they think your business card design communicates to see if they are getting the right message about your brand’s personality. When in doubt, talk to a designer. Or take a look at Vistaprint’s Design Services.

2. Find the right typeface.

If there’s a specific font you’ve been using on your website or other marketing materials, bring that onto your business card. 

The font you choose should always represent your brand. For example, consider an elegant script if you’re an etiquette coach, or a typewriter-inspired font if you’re a writer. It must also be easy to read. All of your text should be at least 8pt, but more important information (like your name or business name) can be printed in a larger size, a different typeface or in bold.

Tristan’s recommendation? 

“A good rule of thumb is to make the company name larger than a 12pt font, and never use any font sizes smaller than 8pt.”

3. Settle on a size and shape.

The size and orientation of your business card affects text size and the amount of information you can include, and also makes a statement about your brand.

Are you a conventional, no-frills company or a bold non-conformist?

Most business cards are rectangular, about the size of a credit card, and laid out horizontally. People are familiar with this format, so it’s a safe choice, but if you want your business card to stand out, consider using a square shape, rounded corners or vertical orientation.

4. Organize your information.

Speaking of information, your business card should give customers everything they need to contact you, find you online or locate your shop or office. Aside from your name and job title, add your business name, telephone number, website, email address and social media handles. Make sure you include all of this information on your business card so customers can easily contact you in whatever way they feel most comfortable.

When you’re adding your information to your business card template, consider the way it’s laid out. Each piece of information should be clearly distinguishable, but flow nicely with the rest. 

“A good visual flow for a business card design should start with the logo, then the name, then move on to secondary information like email addresses and phone numbers,” Tristan says. “You can always alter the visual flow by adjusting an element’s size, shifting its location or adding additional white space.”

5. Think dual-purpose.

Don’t waste all that printing space! Use the reverse side of your business card for appointment reminders, loyalty stamps or as a blank canvas to showcase something extra about your brand. For example, if you run a restaurant or cocktail bar, include a short recipe for a signature dish or drink. Do you sell handmade goods? Use business cards as tags for jewelry, clothing, accessories and other crafts.

Another way to make your business card stick is by turning it into a magnet. This technique works particularly well for businesses offering recurring services like plumbing, gardening, pet sitting, hairdressing, car services, restaurants and more. Customers will stick them on their fridges for easy access to your contact information.

The options for repurposing your business card are endless, and can ensure your card gets further, lasts longer and makes a stronger impression.

6. Maximize your logo.

Tristan says, “Your card is more than just your contact information; it’s a representation of you and your brand. Before you think of creating new business cards, there are two crucial design components to consider: your finalized logo and your brand colors. These elements are the most important parts of your visual branding, and will help influence other areas of the card design process.”

A business card is *all* about the logo, so consider dedicating one side of your card solely to your logo. As a visual representation of your business, it deserves a prominent place that will instantly catch the eye of potential clients.

Tip

Once you have a logo, aim to create a complete identity for your brand: a collection of colors and fonts to use in all of your marketing materials (including business cards), a tone of voice to use in all communications and an idea of the overall “vibe” of your brand. If you need help, work with a professional designer — or check out VistaPrint’s Design Services — to create a logo, business card, website, marketing materials and more.

7. Leave some white space.

Don’t clutter your card with too much text. If there are too many elements on the card, they’ll all compete for the reader’s attention and nothing will stand out. (Remember, you can use both sides of the card!) Design-wise, a little white space is easier on the eyes, and it can help draw attention to the most important details.

Plus, you might want to add a note before you hand out your card to someone. Leaving a little room gives you space to jot down your new phone extension or give potential customers the name of a colleague.

“The fewer elements you have, the more impact each will make, so think about how you can clear the clutter to leave a lasting impression,” says Tristan.

8. Add something special.

There are a few creative ideas you can use for your business card design. One easy way to make your card stand out is to add an unusual design element or special print treatment. Foil accents add a touch of sophisticated shine, while embossed gloss creates a raised, glossy coating, giving your cards a stand-out 3D feel.

According to Tristan, “special finishes can go a long way in making a lasting impression on potential customers, partners and clients.”

Paper stock is another way to add something special to your business card. Extra-thick paper adds an instantly luxurious touch, while recycled kraft paper lends an organic feel.

Make sure these special features are appropriate for your branding. If you’re in an earthy, conservative or less glamorous line of work, it might feel odd to add a shimmery foil accent to your business card.

9. Include a call to action.

A CTA isn’t a business card requirement, but it can encourage potential clients to take that next step. Whether it’s a special offer, a useful tip or a discount code, create an incentive around your business to encourage customers. 

Consider using a QR code as part of your call to action. As people are increasingly comfortable with scanning QR codes, adding one to your business card is a great, one-click way to send people to your website, subscribe them to your mailing list or give them a special offer. We suggest placing the code on the back of your business card because that makes it easy to scan, and won’t take away from your logo on the front.

10. Proofread…then proofread again.

Is there anything worse than opening a freshly printed box of business cards (or menus, or flyers) to see that there’s a typo?

Before you place your order, ask a colleague or friend to double-check your business card for spelling errors. If you want to be *extra* sure that your card is perfectly proofed, enlist the help of a professional copy editor.

Since there is such a small amount of text on a business card, it should be a relatively quick, low-cost task.

What to avoid when designing a business card

Borders: Business card borders might seem like a clever design element, but they can make printing and cutting a bulk order of business cards more complicated. Borders will accentuate any cutting mistakes in the printing process, so they’re best avoided. 

Complicated typography: Choose a font that represents your brand’s personality, but try to steer clear of any typefaces that are so artistic, avant-garde or unusual that they’re hard to read. Legibility is the priority. 

Using too many design elements: Your business card needs to communicate basic information in a relatively small amount of space, so avoid too many design elements that can make it look cluttered and distract from what’s important. 

What’s the best platform to design a business card?

Choosing the best platform to design your business card depends on how much you want to invest in your branding. Like most things in life, you get what you pay for! 

The most affordable way to get a business card is to design it yourself. DIY tools, like VistaCreate and Canva are great for testing out colors, typography and branding ideas, or if you’re looking for something ultra low-cost or temporary. Customize templates or, if you have a little design know-how, you can start from scratch. 

Here’s a few platforms you can use to design your own business card:

Canva

VistaCreate

AdobeExpress

Need a design that wows? Working with a freelance graphic designer will help you create a business card that looks and feels professional, and they can be much more affordable than traditional design firms. People with design training are experts at using the power of design to communicate your brand’s unique message. You can choose a freelancer or start a logo contest, where designers compete to design your card for you.

99designs by Vista — A platform that makes it easy for you to start a design contest or work directly with a professional designer of your choosing.

Behance — Browse designer portfolios

Something to remember you by

Why have business cards when people can type your contact details into their mobile phones? Well, business cards do much more than list your information. They help represent your brand, and give potential customers something to remember you by (especially after quick interactions). So it’s important that you take care when designing your business card, and you’ll wind up with something that’s professional and memorable.

Ready to get started?

Sharing basic business card information alone is seldom enough to convey your value proposition. To make a great first impression, you must include every detail that best describes you and your business. 

However, traditional business cards come with two significant drawbacks when it comes to information sharing:

1. Putting all the details you need on a traditional paper-based card can be challenging. This is because conventional business cards have finite space for showcasing information. You’re often restricted to the basics—your personal details, company name, designation, and a few URLs.

2. Another significant drawback of paper-based business cards is their lack of interactivity. The only way to engage with the information on a paper-based card is via manually typing or searching for the phone numbers, URLs, or social handles you have shared.

So, how do you solve these challenges? By making the shift from traditional business cards to digital business cards.

A digital business card allows you to include as much information as you need. The best part? Your clients can interactively engage with your e-business card’s information and content in real time. This lets you effectively network with your clients, giving you more ways to stand out.

Read on to learn what information you can put on a digital business card to network in the best possible manner.

Table of contents

What information to put on a digital business card: The 10 vital details

Below are the 10 must-have details to put on a professional digital business card. We’ve categorized these 10 elements into 4 key categories: 

A. Profile information

Your profile information helps your audience better understand who you are and what you do.

With Uniqode’s digital business card solution, you can be as comprehensive as you need with your profile information. As a result, you get to set the stage for building trust and credibility among your clients.

Below are the details you can include in your digital business card’s profile information section.

#1 Your name. Uniqode positions your name at the top and center to ensure it’s easily noticeable with your name prefix and suffix.

#2 A high-quality photo. Ensure to include a high-quality headshot to appear professional and trustworthy.

#3 Company name and designation. Add your company’s name and include your role within that company to showcase your experience and expertise. 

#4 A summary. Your professional summary is where you can highlight your skills and achievements in a brief statement.

B. Branding details

Your card branding elements, whether as an individual or a business, can improve your recognition. These elements also help you distinguish yourself from the competition.

Uniqode provides extensive visual customizations for your digital business card. You can tailor your business card aesthetics to your unique brand design.

Besides having the option to select a general business card layout, you can design your card visuals in the following ways.

#5 Brand logo. The importance of a brand logo needs no explanation. So ensure every digital business card you create includes a company or brand logo.

#6 Brand design elements. You can also get as thorough as you need with font styles, text sizes, and color elements. This ensures that your e-business card perfectly reflects your branding.

Now that your recipients know who you are, you’d want to ensure they can easily reach out to you.

This is where your contact details come in handy. Uniqode’s e-business cards let you include each of your key contact detail so recipients can quickly get in touch with a tap.

#7 Phone numbers and email addresses. Uniqode’s digital business card generator helps you add all your phone numbers and emails.

Through the following categories, you can appoint a designation to each of your phone numbers:

1. Work
2. Mobile
3. Personal
4. Home
5. Fax 
6. Page

Furthermore, you can assign the following categories to your email addresses:

1. Work
2. Personal 
3. Other

#8 Your website. A website is often a brand’s primary resource for establishing and demonstrating an online presence. You can add as many website links as needed, labeling them as:

1. Personal
2. Company
3. Work
4. Social
5. Portfolio
6. Others

#9 Business location. There are two ways to add your business address on the Uniqode dashboard:

1. By searching for your location on Google Maps.
2. By entering your exact location in the address field.

When you include your address, a clickable address icon will appear on your digital business card. The recipient can click this icon to load Google Maps on their mobile device so they can follow the directions to your location.

Adding social media links to your business card is a must since these links direct your audience to your relevant social channels. This helps you build credibility and get your audience to complete your desired actions.

#10 Essential social media handles and their icons. Uniqode’s digital business card maker lets you add more than 20+ social media links across 7 categories:

1. Social media platforms (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok)
2. Online video platforms (YouTube, Twitch, Vimeo, and Wistia)
3. Online community platforms (Discord and GitHub)
4. Convenient payment gateways (Paypal, Cash App, and Venmo)
5. Instant messaging apps (WhatsApp and Telegram)
6. Portfolio platforms (Dribbble, Behance, and Pinterest)
7. Other social links (Calendly, Shopify, and Yelp)

You’ll also be able to display a recognizable icon for each social link you add.

Bonus – Add a custom URL to your digital business card

Apart from these popular social platforms, you can also showcase a custom URL. Like your social links, it will come with its own clickable icon, redirecting users to any online destination you wish to share.

What information to include on your digital business card: By profession

#1 For business professionals 

Your digital business card can be the first interaction a potential customer has with you or your professional practice. Thus, it is essential to get your information right the first time.

Perhaps the most crucial business card element for a business professional is their contact information.

More often than not, when networking, your audience already has an idea of what you do. However, your contact details may not be as readily available to your clients. Ensure you showcase relevant contact information—including all your phone numbers, email addresses, and websites.

For instance, a lawyer’s digital business card can display their company’s official website along with other contact details. This way, the firm can attract and capture leads and direct people to client testimonials on its website.

Another good example would be a digital business card for realtors. These e-business cards usually have their realtor owner’s essential contact details along with URLs linking to online property listings and value-adding multimedia content.

Bonus tip: You might also want to label your contact details (e.g., work, personal, portfolio, etc.) so your clients can choose the most suitable way to contact you.

#2 For influencers

Influencers typically thrive on social media content. So for this group of professionals, adding social media handles to their business cards can be invaluable. 

For instance, YouTube influencers can include their YouTube channels on business cards to redirect recipients immediately to videos on their channels.

Bonus tip: Many social media influencers must maintain consistency in their visual design elements. You can do so by utilizing Uniqode’s robust visual customization options while creating your digital business cards.

#3 For freelancers

Freelancers provide a wide variety of services. But regarding what essential information to put on a business card, it all comes down to what can separate you from your competitors.

Apart from convincing profile information, which briefly defines what you do as a freelancer, it’s crucial to include links to your portfolio website. 

Some freelancers use a third-party platform such as Pinterest or Dribbble to house their portfolios, while others use their own websites. Either way, a portfolio can convince your freelancing leads to convert into paying clients.

How to share your digital business card: Top 6 ways to send your card to your clients

Unlike paper-based cards, digital business card distribution isn’t limited to in-person contact. You can digitally distribute your card in multiple ways:

#1 – Share your digital business card as an Apple Wallet pass or Google Wallet pass

#2 – Automatically send a digital business card to its owner’s Apple or Google Wallet

#3 – Share your business card using Siri

#4 – Distribute your business card on social media

#5 – Directly share your business card QR Code

#6 – Share it via URL on email, SMS, or instant messaging apps

Wondering how? Check out our quick guide on how to send a digital business card to your clients to learn about the process of distributing your business cards.

Include must-have information on your card with the best digital business card solution

Sharing a business card with all the relevant information puts you in a better position to win more customers and clients. 

With Uniqode’s digital business card solution, you can get as comprehensive as you need with your profile information and contact details. You can add as many supplementary links as you want and direct your audience to where you can demonstrate social proof.

Moreover, Uniqode’s extensive visual customizations let you personalize your business card’s design elements. As a result, your digital business card can truly achieve its main goal—to become an extension of you and your brand.

Looking for a feature-based comparison of the best digital business card makers? Check out our guide on the 6 best digital business card solutions available today.

Frequently asked questions about the information to put on a business card

What should be on a business card for small businesses?

A business card representing a small business must include the following:

1. The representative’s name, company designation, and a summary.
2. A high-quality headshot.
3. The company’s name and logo.
4. Detailed contact information.
5. The company’s website and social media handles.
6. Business location (if applicable).
7. The company’s unique branding elements.

What information to put on a business card if you are a student?

Student business cards don’t usually showcase a particular job or profession. Nonetheless, they can still provide valuable information. 

Here are some tips on what to put on a business card if you are a student:

1. Craft a summary that shows the value you can offer to potential employers. It could briefly talk about your academic experience and achievements. 

2. Make sure to include your qualifications. This includes your past degrees, awards, and all the workshops, seminars, or training you’ve attended.

3. Include information about your side projects. For instance, you may have run a website or social media channel with a sizable following. Ensure to include those in your business card.

What information should you NOT put on a business card?

Here are the 6 things you shouldn’t include in a professional business card: 

1. Hard-to-read texts.
2. Poor design quality.
3. A low-resolution photo. 
4. Incomplete or outdated contact information.
5. Unprofessional content (e.g., jokes and informal language). 
6. Typographical and grammatical errors.

• Author Details

Author Details

Reuben Isidoro

Reuben is a Content Marketer who helps businesses drive audience engagement and conversions through compelling content narratives. Currently, he explores the impact of simple yet innovative business tools, such as digital business cards, on organizational ROI.