Business Card Alternatives: 8 Reasons Why Digital Business Cards Provide the Highest Networking ROI (2024)

The traditional business card, which was the norm for years, is slowly losing its credibility.

Around 88% of business cards are thrown away within a week of receiving them. It also doesn’t help that they have high printing costs and require 7.2 million trees to produce annually.

However, do you know the worst drawback of a paper business card? It is the limitation of space and physical interactions. This brings us to other digital, sustainable, and trackable alternatives to paper cards.

This article will cover the top three alternatives that provide the highest ROI for your networking efforts.

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Table of contents

1. Top 3 business card alternatives in 2024
2. 8 Reasons why digital business cards are superior to other paper business card alternatives
3. Move away from physical alternatives and create digital business cards
4. Frequently asked questions

Top 3 business card alternatives in 2024

1. Digital business cards
2. QR Code business cards
3. NFC business cards or smart business cards

These three alternatives top the list of the best digital business card alternatives because they offer a portable solution that’s easy to update. By eliminating the physical medium—even partially in the case of QR Code cards or NFC—you can still store your prospect’s information digitally and share it with the same efficacy, perhaps more.

Let’s understand how these advanced networking tools can help your business.

1. Digital business cards

While digital business cards might seem like a big switch from traditional cards, they’re worth it. They’re affordable, and you can opt for different mediums like paper, metal, or PVC for an environmentally friendly approach.

Being completely digital, you don’t need to deal with the headache of printing or ordering business cards every month and then dumping them when there’s a minor change in contact information or your designation.

Creating a digital business card is also super easy with solutions like Uniqode. You can create an account, choose a template, fill in the details, and start:

1. Sharing your e-business cards from Apple Wallet or Google Wallet
2. Allowing the recipient to share their contact information from the same card you share
3. Creating a digital address book for all the leads collected
4. Enabling bulk card creation for organizations
5. Nurture leads by integrating the cards with your existing CRM and more…

2. QR Code business cards

With QR Code business cards, your card is still physical. However, for an environmentally friendly approach, you can opt for different mediums like paper, metal, or PVC.

The card is fairly easy to design and source once you have a QR Code generator in place You can start by creating a vcard QR Code and then print it on a convenient location on the card. This card can also link to your social media profiles or a website.

It’s a definite step up from paper business cards, and you can update the resource that you have linked without changing the QR Code. However, digital card sharing is relatively limited with this alternative.

3. NFC business cards

NFC business cards have a chip embedded in a physical card that transmits your contact details digitally to NFC-enabled devices (smartphones, wristbands, rings, and more) when tapped. While this alternative isn’t completely contactless, it still sets you apart by providing a novel experience and creating an excellent first impression.

There are a few drawbacks, though. NFC cards aren’t considered to be the most secure alternative. Also, since you need to order a physical card, it may slow down your networking initiatives.

But, you can still ensure that you’re sharing the most up-to-date information (since you can update the digital version) and being environmentally conscious at the same time with reusable cards.

While all three options have pros and cons, digital business cards are the only completely contactless and digital alternative.

In recent years, the increasing significance of sustainability while networking and mobile device usage has accelerated the adoption of digital business cards. Their global market is forecasted to reach $ 242.3 Million at an 11.2% CAGR by 2027.

8 Reasons to switch from paper business cards to digital business cards

1. Leverage more card-sharing opportunities
2. Access first-party data and track client engagement
3. Showcase as much information as required
4. A cost-effective alternative to paper business cards
5. Capture your client’s contact details in real-time
6. Superior interactivity than other paper business card alternatives
7. Avoid tedious business card procuring processes
8. Conduct 100% eco-friendly networking

#1 Share your business cards across physical and digital mediums

All known alternatives to physical business cards (with the exception of digital cards) can only be shared face-to-face, which requires physical contact.

One alternative many consider an exception is NFC (Near Field Communication) business cards.

NFCs provide recipients access to a business card via a tag printed in a physical medium–such as a metal businesscard. These seemingly tech-savvy cards give the notion that you can share them in a contactless manner. However, this perspective overlooks three important considerations.

Firstly, as mentioned, you still need to use a physical medium for your NFC business cards. Secondly, the medium you use for your NFC business card still needs to be printed. Lastly, your recipient needs to tap a printed tag to access your business card physically.

Because of the above reasons, NFC business cards do not make for a truly contactless and paperless experience.

To increase your networking reach, you must go beyond just sharing your business cards via physical means (PVCs, tags, or metal business card). You must rely on more efficient, paperless, and contactless distribution methods.

This can be done by opting for digital business cards.

E-business cards are the only alternative that can be shared using multiple contactless methods. For instance, Uniqode lets you send your digital business card to your Apple Wallet or Google Wallet for a hassle-free exchange of contact information.

In addition to using convenient wallet passes, you can share your digital business cards in the following contactless ways:

1. Send your e-business card to your client using Apple’s Siri.
2. Directly share your digital business card on social media.
3. Share your digital business card as a QR Code.
4. Distribute your card’s URL on various channels, such as email, SMS, and instant messaging.

You can learn more about these sharing methods by referring to our guide on how to send a digital business card.

#2 Track how your clients interact with your business cards

There is no shortage of options when choosing alternatives to traditional business cards. For instance, you’ll find business cards embedded into hardware tools and other useful objects. Due to their utility, these alternative business card ideas are not likely to be thrown out in less than a week like their paper counterparts.

But despite their longer retention rate, they don’t offer a way to ascertain engagement.

Even if your prospects keep your business card due to its utility, there’s no way to verify if they are actually interested in doing business with you or just keeping your card for its practicality.

If you want to determine if a client is interested in your services and is likely to contact you in the future, you must opt for a digital alternative that can track user engagement.

Digital business cards are the only traditional business card alternative that is completely trackable. They let you obtain the following meaningful metrics:

1. The total number of card scans you receive.
2. The number of unique clients reached via your cards.
3. Your best- and worst-performing digital business cards—based on the total number of scans each card gets.
4. Your card’s engagement by location, time of day, and device—you can monitor when and where your team members engage with clients.

You can monitor the above metrics in real time by choosing a trackable digital business card solution. You can easily determine if your recipients are engaging with your cards or not. As a result, these metrics help you optimize strategies for your next networking event.

#3 Showcase as much information as required

Some business card alternatives appeal to a recipient’s desire for practicality. This is why functional business cards, such as those printed on bottle openers and keychains, are now being used to certain extents.

While these substitutes provide a functional appeal, they do not address a critical aspect of successful networking: The ability to convey as much information (personal and business details) as required.

All physical business card alternatives have one thing in common—they force you to work inside a limited content space. Hence, it can be difficult to include all the information you need, beyond basic professional details like the company logo and your designation, to convey your value and services fully.

For instance, if you wish to share multiple phone numbers, emails, web URLs, and social handles, it will be difficult to embed them all in something as small as a keychain or bottle opener.

Opting for digital business cards can help you overcome the spacing issues you encounter with other physical business card alternatives.

With virtual business cards, you can showcase as much information as you need. There is no limit to the number of emails, phone numbers, web links, and social handles you can include. You can also add your comprehensive profile information, Google Maps location, and more. Since a digital business card can be easily edited, you can easily keep your information up to date.

FIND OUT: What information can you include on a digital business card

#4 Save a lot on card-printing dollars

In the US, the annual printing costs for paper business cards, on average, is $194 per employee. If your organization has 500 employees, your annual business card expense can get as high as $97,000.

Keep in mind that this is merely the average cost. The more you opt for design-heavy and sophisticated business cards, the more expenses you incur.

Suppose you wish to invest in more creative options such as USB business cards, tools as business cards, or keychain business cards. In that case, you might need to completely re-evaluate your budget, as these alternatives can be quite expensive for a mid-to-large-sized team.

If you wish to utilize the most cost-effective solution, consider choosing digital business cards.

Despite offering far superior benefits, digital business cards come only at a small fraction of the cost of paper business cards AND other alternatives.

For instance, your card expenses can get as low as $48 annually per employee, depending on your chosen pricing plan with Uniqode. You can save as much as 75% on your business card expenses while boosting your brand image.

#5 Capture your client’s contact details in real-time

Success at a networking event relies heavily on the ability to exchange contact information.

Due to their physical nature, most paper business card alternatives introduce friction and manual efforts during business card exchanges.

For instance, when exchanging physical business cards, you and your recipient must manually save each other’s contact information on your respective mobile devices. In addition, you may also need to manually record your client’s contact details in your company’s lead management system.

To streamline contact information exchange, you must switch to an alternative that offers two-way contact-sharing: digital business cards.

Two-way contact-sharing lets you capture your recipient’s contact details directly from your digital business card. Once your recipient submits their contact details via your card, they will be instantly recorded in your digital address book. This address book (the list of your collected leads) will be available on the dashboard of your chosen digital business card solution.

#6Give recipients an interactive experience with your card

According to a Demand Metric report, interactive elements generate 2X more conversions than passive content. Hence, adding interactivity to your business card content can increase the likelihood of your recipients performing your desired action.

Most “creative” business card alternatives are passive rather than interactive.

For instance, due to its attractive design, a 3D business card may pique interest immediately after you share it. Or, a USB business card can prove to be a useful resource that your clients can use, instead of throwing it away like a paper card. While both these physical business card alternatives have a high brand recall value, acting on that interest remains an obstacle for recipients since they’ll have to enter your contact details manually to save them or reach out to you.

But, with a digital business card, they can automatically save your information as a .vcf file on their phone and add it to your contacts. If they’re interested in your product/services, they can click on any of the URLs for more information or contact you via a different channel, such as social media

Why?

Because any information you convey via a physical medium is not instantly accessible. If a client wants to store your phone number on their mobile device, they must manually type it and save it by hand. If a prospect wants to visit your website, they must manually enter the URL on a browser.

Opting to go completely digital is the only way to provide a genuinely interactive experience.

With digital business cards, every piece of your business card information becomes accessible with a single tap.

A client wishing to store all your contact details can do so with a single tap on their screen. Moreover, your other business card information, such as your web links, social media handles, and Google Maps location, becomes instantly accessible.

#7 You can skip card procurement hassles and delays

The typical organizational procurement process for paper business cards takes 30 days to complete– from start to finish. Even if you choose other traditional business card alternatives made from physical material—cotton, rubber, edible business cards, or USB business cards—it will likely involve lengthy procurement times.

The main reason is that these alternatives take time to manufacture, print, and deliver–especially if you order them in bulk.

You can avoid these lengthy procurement timelines by switching to digital business cards.

With a capable digital business card solution, each team in your organization can be granted access to create their own e-business cards–whether as a standalone or in bulk–in minutes.

A specialized solution will also present several automation and API integration features that will make business card creation instant and convenient.

#8 Conduct 100% eco-friendly networking

You can consider a wide variety of paper business card alternatives eco-friendly. For instance, you will come across alternatives like edible business cards, plantable business cards (containing seeds), or ones that use natural fibers (like cotton business cards) and recycled paper.

As opposed to virgin paper, these alternatives leave lesser carbon footprints in their manufacture and use. So, adopting them to your networking can prove more sustainable.By proving your commitment to environmental sustainability, you also boost your brand image and leave a lasting impression on businesses that share these ideals.

However, it’s important to note that these alternative business card ideas still emit their share of carbon dioxide.

For instance, producing a metric ton of recycled paper leaves 0.15 metric tons less carbon dioxide equivalent vis-à-vis making the same amount of virgin paper.

What does this tell us?

To achieve 100% sustainability in your networking, you must switch to the sole alternative that does not rely on paper or any physical mediums: digital business cards.

E-business cards can be created and managed virtually–without the need for printing and manufacturing from raw materials. Once you create them, you can begin sharing them via numerous contactless means.

This absence of paper and other physical mediums makes digital business cards the most eco-friendly alternative.

As an added benefit, they can be edited virtually as and when needed. You completely eliminate the need to reprint anytime you need to update your professional identity.

Learn more: What to put on a business card

Move away from physical alternatives and create digital business cards with Uniqode

Now that you understand how digital business cards outperform other paper business card alternatives, you might wish to adopt them to enhance your networking results.

To strengthen the impact of your e-business card creation, management, and sharing, we recommend choosing a capable digital business card solution.

As a specialized digital business card platform, Uniqode provides all the features and capabilities you need to maximize your networking ROI.

You can leverage features such as extensive card customizations, contactless card-sharing options, and team-level analytics—without the need to download any app. All your business card activities are also safeguarded under industry-leading enterprise-grade security measures.

Suggested Reading: 5 Features that make Uniqode the best digital business card solution

Frequently asked questions

What are the disadvantages of paper business cards?

Here are the 7 main disadvantages of using traditional business cards in your networking:

1. Traditional business cards limit you to a 3” x 5” content space. You may find it difficult to include all additional information.
2. Paper cards are only shareable face-to-face, which can limit your networking reach.
3. Physical business cards are costly to print (as high as $194 per employee, per year).
4. The procurement process for paper business cards–from start to finish–takes an average of 30 days.
5. The information displayed on a paper business card is not interactive. A recipient must manually type your information on a mobile device to access and use it.
6. Traditional cards can’t be tracked and do not provide performance metrics.
7. Traditional business cards can be prone to errors, leading to needless reprints.

What are the most creative alternatives to digital business cards?

Businesses can use these creative business card alternatives to create an impact at networking events or for specific marketing campaigns:

1. Keychain business cards
2. Pocket square business cards
3. Conductive ink business cards
4. Bottle opener business card
5. Silicon wristband business cards
6. Lego business cards
7. USB business cards

While being creative, these functional business cards ensure that the recipients keep your business card with them for a long time. If you wish to add more details on these alternatives or drive prospects to your website, you can print a QR Code that links to a digital business card on these marketing resources.

What are a few sustainable paper business card alternatives?

Digital business cards are the most sustainable paper card alternative as they don’t utilize any physical materials such as paper or metal. You can create one on your mobile device and share it with your prospects using a QR Code, link, or digital wallet passes (for iOS and Android). Other sustainable alternatives to traditional business cards include:
1. Cotton business cards
2. Plantable business cards (seed paper)
3. Metal business card
4. Edible business cards

What to do if you don’t have business cards?

If you’re running late to an event, or forgot to print a new batch of business cards, you can create a digital business card for free (and in under 5 minutes!) using Uniqode’s 14-day free trial.

What is replacing the business card?

Tech-savvy alternatives such as digital business cards, QR code business cards, and NFC business cards are replacing business cards. These alternatives are easy to create, edit, and share. They improve networking ROI and also save printing costs for businesses.