The battle between paper and digital business cards is at an all-time high. Everyone agrees that a business, irrespective of its size and nature, and even consumers’ needs for business cards. However, the debate between paper cards and digital business cards, their superiority, pros, and cons, is still ongoing.
This blog aims to shed light on the matter by discussing the pros and cons of paper and digital business cards. Let’s start the debate.
What is a paper business card?
A paper, or traditional business card, is a printed card that holds all your details. The card measurements are usually 85mm x 55mm. A print card holds details like your phone number, social media handles, email address, company website, and business logo. You share the printed business cards with others through postal contact. It helps them have quick access to all your contact details. The card reflects the brand through the use of color or themes. Moreover, you can get traditional business cards printed on plastic, wood, and even metal.
Digital business cards
A digital or virtual business card is similar to paper cards in terms of its use. They have details or information like a website link, a contact address, a business name, an email link, and more. The difference is that when you get digital business card for your business, you can share them online. You can create and share it using an app or a PDF. You can share it using email, SMS, and social media. Moreover, it also uses QR codes and NFC technology for creation and sharing.
The best part about digital business cards is that you can enrich them with clickable links. For instance, you can add a clickable link to your website or social media to the card. There is no measurement to follow. So, you can include as much information as you want.
Paper business cards Vs. Digital business cards
Flexibility and reach
Digital business cards have an advantage over paper business cards as you can exchange them globally. You do not have to be physically present anywhere to exchange or share the card with a prospective customer. It makes their flexibility and reach wider.
Paper business cards do not have that reach. You cannot share them without being in the same room as your prospective. Also, you must carry stacks of paper business cards, which is not the case with digital cards.
Customization and personalization
Paper business cards give you a lot of scope for personalization. You can choose any color, font, or material, add a custom image, logo, and more. Today, there are many options to choose from when creating sturdy and interactive paper business cards.
However, digital business cards give you more options to customize and personalize the cards. You can make them interactive and creative and add dynamic content like eye-catching visuals or clickable links to your website and social media. You can also customize them to add videos or portfolios. It makes digital business cards superior.
Updating and editing
Sometimes, you add a detail on the card that is wrong. Or you might change your office’s address or contact details and need to edit them. With paper business cards, updating or editing information is a real pain. You must design and print new cards because you cannot edit the old ones.
With digital business cards, you only have to use the app to edit the details from anywhere and anytime. It makes digital business cards cheaper and more affordable for all businesses. Paper business cards are as expensive to edit and update as they are to make.
Ability to track
You can track your digital business cards to see the metrics. You can track to see how many people have viewed your digital profile. You cannot do the same with paper business cards.
Environmental impact
Do you know that approximately 6 million trees are cut to produce paper business cards? And most of these business cards are thrown away. Thus, the environmental impact is massive.
Digital business cards are better for the environment, even plastic ones, as they are only one card. You mail or text them using a QR code or NFC technology, making them better for the eco-system than paper business cards.
Use of technology
Digital business cards use technology for sharing purposes. Without the presence of the internet, sharing these cards becomes impossible. Therefore, paper business cards win this point.
First impressions
Digital business cards have customizations, visual appeal, and ease of sharing. When a business has a virtual card, it creates a better impression on people than with paper business cards.
Safety
Both are safe. Even with digital cards, people have some concerns. But most apps and websites creating digital cards use professional state-of-the-art security. It makes digital cards have minimal risks.
Usage
Paper business cards are still more in circulation than digital business cards. But there is a massive chance that the recipient may throw your business card away or forget about it. The same is not true with digital business cards. Sharing information with it is easier. Also, the details get saved on the phone of the recipient. So, there is a guarantee that the person will see and use it when needed.
Cost
As mentioned above, editing or updating paper business cards costs money. Also, printing them for the first time is expensive. Most startups or small businesses may not have the capital to pay the massive cost. Digital business cards, on the other hand, are reasonably priced.
Conclusion
Both digital business cards and paper business cards have their advantages. They are ideal for sharing contact information with potential clients with ease. They provide a way to follow up with potential clients and customers. However, digital business cards are better for the environment, cheaper, and, most importantly, provide better connectivity. With a virtual business card, you can connect with people globally. There is no need to meet people physically to create connections.
