As Covid forced us into a “new normal” way of working and how we work continued to evolve post-Covid, making meaningful connections in the business world is different and a little more complex.
Gone are the days when the paper business card seemed an effective way to share your details, but somehow, just giving someone your number also doesn’t seem to strike that subtle balance of professionalism.
Do I need business cards?
While the traditional paper business card may be obsolete, that doesn’t mean you don’t need business cards. Exchanging contact information professionally still requires a business card, but how that business card looks has changed.
With the world of work almost entirely digital at this point, the analog paper business card seems both redundant and wasteful. NFC business cards have become a popular alternative, but with some reliability issues on certain devices and the needless injection of more plastic into the world, a truly digital networking solution, both remotely and in-person, is needed. Enter the digital business card…
What is a digital business card?
Digital business cards transform the way you can share your details into a seamless exchange. An app that we recommend is HiHello—HiHello is the top-rated digital business card app on the App Store and Google Play, and allows you to easily connect with innovative tech companies in a way that’s, well, innovative! HiHello’s free online business cards offer you the chance to set up a digital business card in minutes, and their business plans offer some unique features, including video profiles (where you can put a face and a message to your name), the ability to embed YouTube videos, attach PDFs with marketing materials that showcase your business and the option to create multiple cards for people, products, services and more!
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How does a digital business card work?
Yep, you guessed it, it’s an app! HiHello takes up minimal space on your phone, and once you’ve created cards for you and your team, you can seamlessly share them via QR code, link, email, and text message. (You can even keep your cell phone number private!)
Your business card opens in the default browser on someone’s phone. They don’t require anything on their phone, no app, nothing. Provided they have a smartphone, anyone will be able to receive your digital business card. Every field on a HiHello card is fully interactive, so once they’ve enjoyed a whistle-stop tour of your business, they can save your details by emailing or texting your business card to themselves—which drastically increases the chance of follow-up—or they can save your details to their phone’s contacts. Once they’ve done this (and this is the really cool part), they can share their details back with you! We call this Closing The Loop.
What information should be on a business card?
Whether you’re creating a traditional paper card, NFC business card, or digital business card, the content you choose can make or break whether your cards are effective, but picking the right information isn’t so simple. If you’re trying to fit the essential information on a tiny paper card or working with the unlimited space of a digital business card, there are 5 key things that should be on your business card:
1. Your name
2. A photo
3. Basic contact information
4. Your website
5. Marketing collateral
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Learn more about the 5 must-haves for every professional business card in our blog.
Are digital business cards here to stay?
Put simply: yes, digital business cards are here to stay. The humble paper business card is so limited and causes numerous headaches. From title changes and typos to printing delays and waste, they are simply not an effective way of networking.
Companies are always curious about HiHello’s history and trajectory. Founded in 2018, they’ve grown from humble beginnings to the number one rated app in the space. With users in 180+ countries, and over 17 million cards shared in 2024, HiHello continues to be the leader in the space. The future is an exciting one, having secured a $7.5 million Series A fundraise.
Choosing the right business card in 2025
Picking the right business card for your team can be confusing with so many different options on the market. It doesn’t have to be a tough decision if you focus on these factors:
User interface & ease of use
Not every business card platform is easy to use, but it's essential to pick one that's intuitive and straightforward to create and share digital business cards. HiHello is a simple choice. Ranked Best Usability on G2, it’s the clear winner for usability.
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Design customization options
Your digital business card is your strongest first impression. Seek out solutions that offer a wide range of customization options like multiple card designs and rich customization fields.
Sharing capabilities
The whole point of a business card is to share your information, right? Look for options that include customizable QR codes, wallet cards, email, text, and even offline sharing.
Security features
You want to trust that your data is secure when using a digital business card. Choose a platform with robust security measures, such as encryption and secure data storage.
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Analytics and tracking
In a data-driven world, you want insights and analytics into how your digital business card is performing. Opt for a solution that provides detailed analytics on views, clicks, and interactions. This data can be invaluable for refining your networking strategy.
Scalability
Whether you’re a solopreneur or part of a large enterprise, choose a business card that can grow with you and your business. Look for features like team management, bulk card creation, and automated email signatures.
HiHello’s digital business cards are easy to create, simple to manage, and showcase your business in the most impressive and visually appealing way. 2025 will continue the trend of innovation and a different, more effective way of working. Showing up to a networking event with a stack of paper to showcase your cutting-edge and innovative company isn’t going to do the job, and well, if you’re networking remotely, it’s unlikely you’ll be mailing your card.
