Business cards have a fascinating history that dates all the way back to the 15th century. While their core purpose—to share contact information—remains unchanged, business cards have evolved dramatically over the past few years.
In 2018, HiHello took a bold step forward by launching the first B2B SaaS platform offering digital business cards, revolutionizing how individuals and organizations connect and share dynamic contact information. Since then, as digital business cards have become more popular, other players have entered the arena—even Meta introduced its own version of Profile Cards.
As this digital transformation gains traction, some people still ask: What exactly is a digital business card, and are they right for me? Let's explore.
What is a digital business card?
A digital business card—also known as a contact card, profile card, virtual business card, or electronic business card—is a modern, dynamic replacement for traditional paper cards that lives on your phone. With a digital business card, your information is always up to date, enabling you to connect immediately, no matter where you are or who you're with.
Unlike their paper predecessors, digital business cards can be shared with anyone, anywhere, breaking down geographical barriers to networking. Because they’re digital, you'll never run out of, lose, or misplace them. With HiHello, you can even create multiple digital business cards to tailor your professional identity to different situations and audiences. Whether you're at a casual meetup or a formal conference, you'll always have the perfect card—and most importantly, with the right information—ready at a moment’s notice.
What are the benefits of digital business cards?
Digital business cards have many advantages, so much so that they’ve truly revolutionized how we connect and share information. They’re easily shareable, have better functionality, and are more sustainable and cost-effective than traditional paper business cards.
Easily shareable
One of the standout features of digital business cards is their versatility in sharing. Gone are the days of fumbling through your wallet for a crumpled piece of paper—you can access your digital business cards on your phone, so your contact information is always at your fingertips and ready to be shared in seconds.
With HiHello, you can share your digital business cards through various methods, including:
- QR code
- Text/SMS
- Social Media
- Apple Watch
- Apple Wallet
- Widget
- Live Activity Widget
- NFC tag
Better functionality
Digital business cards break free from the limitations of a standard 2.5x3 inch paper card, allowing you to include more information and interactive features that physical cards simply can't match.
In addition to your basic contact information, a digital business card can include:
- Headshot, Live Photo, or video
- Badges and awards
- Calls-to-action
- Website links
- PDFs to marketing collateral, e-books, and more
- Calendar links
- Embedded video content
- Social media profiles
- Dates
- Notes
More sustainable
Did you know nearly 90% of business cards are thrown away within one week? By eliminating the need for paper, digital business cards directly conserve trees and reduce the demand for raw materials.
In 2024, HiHello users made a significant environmental impact by switching to digital business cards, helping to save nearly:
- 1,000 trees
- 400,000 gallons of water
- 57,000 pounds of carbon emissions, and
- 56,000 pounds of waste
Want to learn more? Read HiHello’s Digital Business Card Usage & Statistics 2024 report.
More cost-effective
Let's talk numbers—and savings. Traditional paper business cards might seem innocuous, but they can quickly become a surprisingly hefty expense. HiHello conducted a business card price analysis and found that by switching to HiHello, a typical 100-person company can cut its business card expenses by 26%, and larger organizations can save over 50% of their business card budget.
How much does a digital business card cost?
Digital business cards can vary in cost. HiHello offers a range of options to fit every professional's needs and budget. You can start completely free, with the ability to create, customize, and share your very own digital business card.
If you want advanced branding, lead capture, and analytics tools, HiHello offers three premium plans: HiHello Professional, HiHello Business, and HiHello Enterprise.
- HiHello Professional: Starts at $6/month (for individual networkers)
- HiHello Business: Starts at $5/month (for teams of five or more people)
- HiHello Enterprise: Chat with the HiHello Sales team
Learn more about digital business card subscriptions.
How do I create a digital business card?
Creating a digital business card is straightforward, and the first step is choosing the right platform for your needs. As the pioneer in this space, HiHello prioritizes innovation, user experience, and security, making it a trusted choice for professionals looking to make a lasting impression.
When you choose HiHello, you'll find it easy to create your digital business card, whether you prefer using your mobile device or a computer. To help you get started on this exciting journey, we've put together some helpful guides that will walk you through the process step by step:
- How to Make a Digital Business Card on iOS
- How to Make a Digital Business Card on Android
- How to Make a Digital Business Card on a Computer
Can I get my entire team set up with digital business cards?
Absolutely! With HiHello, setting up digital business cards for your entire team is seamless. Whether you have a small team or a large organization, HiHello makes it easy for everyone to create and manage digital business cards.
HiHello offers two fantastic team plans: HiHello Business and HiHello Enterprise. Both options are thoughtfully designed, and HiHello Enterprise, in particular, addresses larger organizations' unique security, scalability, and administrative needs.
If you're interested in setting up your team with digital business cards, our friendly sales team is here to help you every step of the way. They can provide all the information you need to choose the best plan that fits your organization's goals and ensure a smooth onboarding experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I purchase a digital business card without a subscription?
While many digital business card platforms lock you into lengthy contracts, HiHello offers flexibility. You can sign up for a monthly subscription, and if it doesn't meet your needs, you can easily cancel. We believe in giving you the freedom to choose a networking tool that truly works for you.
Where can I see examples of digital business cards?
If you're looking for inspiration for digital business card examples from professionals across various industries, here are some excellent resources to explore:
- 11 Examples of Business Cards for Job Seekers
- 18 Creative Ways to Use Digital Business Cards
- Business Card Design: Ideas, Templates to Make a Digital Business Card
This article includes modifications and was originally published on July 21, 2020.
