In an age of masks, hand sanitiser and social distancing, handing each other physical pieces of card with our contact details may seem rather obsolete.
Besides, everything that we put on business cards we can jot down on a piece of paper, or send in a quick email or text, right? But before you go and throw your business cards in the bin, are there more to these pieces of card than previously thought?
The business card can trace its roots right back to the days of the 15th Century, when visiting cards were commonplace among the Chinese people. They would leave these cards on the doorsteps of people they wanted to meet with, acting as an early form of formal invitation. As the world evolved, this practice gradually made its way into Europe where gentlemen of class would leave their cards at the house of prospective wives. Eventually though the visiting card was adopted by businesses and tradesmen, who used their cards to advertise their products and services. They were essential to building relationships with customers and more importantly fellow tradesmen.
It’s safe to say that advertising methods of today differ quite drastically from those of the 17th century. So the question remains, do we still need physical cards now? The Covid-19 pandemic shook the world like nothing before. The business card market saw a massive decline, with Vistaprint boss Florian Baumgartner reporting a sales plummet of 70% globally during March 2020 (the height of lockdown). Even though day-to-day life has somewhat resumed, a newly made gaping hole has appeared in the market. Digital alternatives to business cards are quickly becoming the favoured option in an ever-increasing hygiene-focused society.
Enter stage left; the Mobilo card. A smart business card that automatically invites a person to save your contact details upon tapping it against a mobile device, much like how you can pay for things using contactless. This offers a sleek and modern solution to a new problem, whilst still enabling you to make a great first impression. It requires no third party app for the person scanning the card, and with a plethora of customisable options you can still make your card unique to you.
To a lot of people however a business card is more than just the card itself. It’s a ritual. It’s the physical, tangible experience of giving and receiving someone's business card in a professional capacity. Meeting someone face-to-face and then exchanging details, a business card has something that digital cards will struggle to emulate - character. A physical object that reminds people of an interaction they had. Exchanging a business card takes a few seconds and is 100% reliable with no reliance on technology whatsoever. It’s simple, and that’s what makes it perfect.
A business card is a professional statement. It’s an ambassador to you and your brand. Business card design is so important because to create something unique and professional without being so obscure that the message is lost is no easy feat. It’s the perfect opportunity to show off who you are and what you can do, and it should be done right.
A physical business card’s relevance remains rather a grey area, and the answer lies in the needs of the person or business. A physical business card that is well designed is a talking point. It’s the perfect tool for making an impression that has stood the test of time. Digital alternatives have certainly found their foothold in the industry but I don’t believe it to be a case of total replacement. For some, a digital or smart business card will be the ideal alternative for them. But people will still appreciate the real business cards in years to come, and the importance of a well constructed card. Who knows, maybe receiving a paper business card will become somewhat of a unicorn in the not too distant future.
At Identity we understand the impact a well designed business card can have. If you would like to discuss business card designs with us, we’d be happy to help! Get in touch with us today.
