When it comes to making connections, good tech gets out of the way

How we revamped digital contact exchange by focusing on the core user experience.

When it comes to making connections, good tech gets out of the way
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“Hey, it was great to meet you!” 

Imagine you are at a conference, and you've just had an amazing conversation with someone who could be a potential client, a key addition to your network, or maybe just a new friend. Right before you part ways, you realize this is the moment to lock in that connection and exchange contact information — how do you do it?

If you’re like the millions who’ve already ditched the traditional paper business card for an eco-friendly, tech-forward digital one, you know the exchange should be easy and smooth. A quick scan of your QR code and your new contact has all your info at their fingertips — and, ideally, they then send their contact details right back to you.

“Wait, what do I do now?” 

Your contact fumbles with the form on their phone. The eye contact fades. The energy of your conversation starts to fizzle out with each half-hearted tap of the screen. In the worst case, your new friend bails on the exchange altogether, and you’re left wondering if you should have just stuck to your usual paper card in the first place. 

Over the past few months, I’ve had the opportunity to learn from real HiHello users and dissect what makes a contact exchange truly seamless. After all, this experience is at the core of our business at HiHello. But what I learned is that if the process isn’t effortless, a simple transaction can quickly become awkward and bothersome. 

Exchanging contact information isn’t just a transaction—it’s a reflection of who you are and the brand you represent. Just like people used to take pride in crafting the perfect design for their paper business cards, our users depend on HiHello’s digital cards to make lasting impressions. But impressions aren’t just about how things look—they’re about how they feel. If your digital business card doesn’t deliver a seamless experience, it undermines the impact you’re trying to make. 

Learning from you: How we broke down and rebuilt Digital Contact Exchange

At HiHello, our users are at the heart of everything we do. After all, our mission is to help strengthen your relationships and amplify the power of your network. So, we engaged with our community to learn how we could improve our contact exchange feature for both our users and the recipients of their digital business cards.

User interviews, feedback sessions, and a deep dive into our data revealed the friction points that were getting in the way of successful connections. All of our research highlighted the clear need for a more streamlined, reciprocal contact exchange process. 

We didn’t just take notes—we took action. We iterated, then iterated again, until we had a solution that is both powerful and elegant. Our goal was simple: to make sure every tap on the screen adds real value, so you can get back to what really matters — the conversation, the connection, the impression.

By balancing the efficiency of a digital transaction with the nuance of an in-person interaction, HiHello remains committed to our user-centered approach to modern networking. Now,  we are excited to announce that as of August 27, 2024, all of our Free, Professional, Business, and Enterprise customers will be migrated to a completely revamped contact exchange experience - one that is proven by real data to forge stronger, real connections between you and the people you meet. 

What’s New with HiHello Contact Exchange 

A Two-Tap Process

We’ve boiled the contact exchange down to its essence. Now, anyone who receives your digital card can save your details in just two taps. No fluff, no unnecessary steps—just a quick, intuitive, and hassle-free exchange.

Optimized User Interface

We redesigned the exchange interface to be clean, modern, and user-friendly. We've focused on clarity and ease of use, ensuring that both you and your contacts can navigate the exchange process effortlessly, whether you're tech-savvy or brand new to digital business cards.

Enhanced Reciprocity

Building a network is a two-way street. By making it easier for your contacts to share their information back with you, we foster more immediate and meaningful connections. In our tests, we saw the rate of successful exchanges double, and users reported a smoother, more satisfying experience.

make more connections with digital business cards

What This Means for You

We understand that exchanging contact information isn't just a transaction; it's the beginning of a real, professional relationship. Whether you're an individual or part of a larger organization, HiHello’s digital business card platform enhances your ability to connect and grow your network. Here's how:

  • For Professionals: Make a lasting impression with a seamless and efficient exchange process that reflects your professionalism and attention to detail. More contacts saved in your HiHello app means less time trying to remember who you met and more time building valuable connections.
  • For Businesses: Empower your teams with tools that not only simplify networking but drive measurable results in lead generation and relationship building. With a significantly improved conversion rate watch more leads flow into your CRM pipeline.

This update is about more than just a better workflow— it’s about our relentless drive for improvement and our commitment to building the best digital networking tools in the market. At its core, it’s about making sure our technology gets out of the way so you can get back to having meaningful conversations. 

We’re proud of the work that’s gone into this update, and we’re confident it’s going to make a real difference in how you connect and grow your network. We invite you to create and share your own HiHello digital business cards and see for yourself how it transforms your next meeting. As always, we’re here for your feedback — after all, we’re building the future of connections together.

Happy networking!

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