Why use a printed business card in 2023? Discover the top 5 reasons!

Even if today, new high-performance proposals are available, such as the digital business card which features a QR code and an NFC chip to transmit all information without contact, the printed business card still deserves to be present among your marketing tools.

In this article, we present 5 reasons to keep using them in 2023!

No need for special equipment to use them!

Yes, we don’t always think about it, but one of the advantages of printed business cards is that they can be used without the need for a smartphone or computer.

Of course, today’s professionals are all equipped with a powerful smartphone.

But have you ever found yourself with a flat battery or your cell phone in an unstoppable automatic update mode?

Or worse, that your smartphone no longer functions properly, i.e. you launch an action by pressing an icon and nothing happens?

With a paper business card, there’s no problem in continuing to share contact information: easy to distribute and taking up little space, it would be a shame to go without!

What’s more, there’s something reassuring about paper or cardboard, because they’re less “volatile” and “impalpable” than digital data: on the other hand, digital data has the advantage of being very easy to copy, file and archive, without taking up any space…

They are expected by the majority of your customers…

With technology advancing at such a rapid pace, the question is whether it’s really necessary to use a business card in 2023.

The answer is simple: most customers expect you to have one.

Habits are powerful, and many prospects expect you to hand them your printed business card during a meeting.

Not everyone trusts technology, no matter how good it is!

A good option might be to have both a digital business card with NFC chip and a small batch of printed cards: that way, you’ll be able to respond to every situation.

And with the advent of “all-digital” technology, it can be interesting to differentiate yourself by continuing to distribute traditional business cards, but with an impression of seriousness and quality: this almost “old-school” feel can be interesting to exploit from a marketing point of view.

Think about it in terms of the nature of your professional activities: imagine, for example, an architect distributing a business card in the shape of a building, or a baker having cards made in the shape of croissants…

That’s how you can easily differentiate yourself from your competitors!

The business card is a reliable tool for easy recontacting

Today, there’s an overload of information coming in from all sides: websites, social networks, phone notifications, SMS, WhatsApp messages…

Many professionals admit to wasting time looking for specific information, because they can’t always remember where it came from…

Digital tools can of course be used to classify information, and these are obviously a valuable resource for increasing productivity.

Nonetheless, additional actions need to be taken, and sometimes, in the face of urgency, this is not done systematically.

In this sense, the business card really is a simple communication tool, since all you have to do is hand it over and your contact will immediately take note of the information on it.

And anything that’s easy will be used instinctively!

That’s why the printed business card is such an effective way of making it easy for your prospects to get in touch with you.

Professional business cards give your company an attractive image

In 2023, a business card will still be an essential tool for companies seeking to promote themselves and their products or services.

Similarly, if you’re a salesperson, a business card is a practical way to reach your customers and develop your network.

Because it’s a proven fact: a quality business card gives you a credible image and increases your interlocutor’s confidence in your proposals.

In fact, this little rectangle of cardboard is a gold mine for disseminating relevant information, whether it’s your contact details or, for example, a list of your company’s services.

In a way, a business card acts as “proof” of your company’s existence, because your prospect is holding something “tangible” in his or her hand: this may make you smile, but it’s a fact of life, the material side reassuring…

What’s more, if a high-quality logo is present, the colors are well chosen and the lettering is clearly visible, an impression of seriousness will instantly appear.

A business card is a versatile communication tool

You can use them in a variety of ways, for example, by attaching them to postal packages when sending products, distributing them at professional events such as trade fairs, networking days or even in your everyday life: imagine you meet someone at a friend’s house who’s interested in your services. If you carry a small stock of business cards, it’s easy to pass on your contact details.

And maybe you’ll win a new customer!

This makes it an incredibly effective way to develop your company’s marketing.

And don’t forget that you can include images or illustrations on the business card: it’s a great way to differentiate yourself and highlight something you consider particularly important.

Today, there are many options available when producing a business card, such as applying a gloss varnish in specific places, or using gold or silver ink to make a phrase stand out.

The choice of material also contributes to the overall impression of quality: the heavier the weight, the easier it is to hold in the hand, and the more upscale the impression.

Essential for developing your professional network

Business cards are still one of the most important networking tools, and they’re also very practical to use.

Easy to carry and distribute, they offer a professional and consistent presentation of your company: that’s why we encourage you to be creative in your business card design.

For this, a competent graphic designer will often be an invaluable resource, as he or she will be able to present you with designs that respect your company’s graphic charter while highlighting your contact details.

A traditional business card allows potential customers to remember you and keep your contact details close at hand: this is obviously invaluable when you work in the sales branch of a company or belong to a design office.

With a business card, you can easily connect with other professionals and share information about your company, products or services at special events such as cocktail parties, trade shows, networking events or even a simple customer visit.

And with a business card printed on cardboard, you can always add a handwritten note on the reverse, if you’ve taken the precaution of not opting for satin or gloss lamination on both sides!

This can be an opportunity to personalize the exchange you’ve had with someone…

To conclude…

With this article, we’ve tried to show you that it’s still useful, in 2023, to own and distribute printed business cards.

They’re practical, relatively inexpensive and can serve as an effective reminder of how to get in touch with your company.

Of course, this doesn’t prevent you from also using a digital business card with QR code and NFC chip, as this is an extremely practical and effective communication tool.

It’s probably best to have both types of business card, so you can meet the needs of every contact you meet.

As the world of business and marketing continues to evolve, a traditional or digital business card will remain a powerful way, in 2023, to promote your company!