A QR Code business card is a networking tool to improve in-person interactions at events, such as conferences or tradeshows. Adding a QR Code to your business card helps you direct prospects, leads, or potential employers to your contact details.
These details can include the owner’s name, phone number, address, email, website, social media handle, or a customized landing/campaign page.
You can even link a QR Code to your social profiles (Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook etc.) or your portfolio/resume and then print it on your paper business card for an impactful first impression.
You simply need to share your business card with a QR Code with your prospects or anyone in your network. Once they scan the QR Code using a QR Code scanner app or their mobile device’s camera, they are led to the embedded information: a webpage, a PDF, or even a digital business card (to save your information as a .vcf file).
What are the benefits of adding a QR Code to your business card?
1. Convenience
A QR Code business card makes first interactions convenient for both you and your prospects. Socializing your business cards can boost client conversions or establish new connections to grow your network.
In addition to allowing you to add comprehensive details, each element in your QR Code-based scannable business card is interactive. You can share your information with them without any manual data entry, and they can easily follow up on the conversation with a single scan.
What are users saying:
“...I've also taken advantage of the custom QR codes for Digital Business Cards. The ability to auto-load our sales teams' contact information into a potential client's phone while standing in front of them has a much higher probability the information will stay in their phone, as opposed to handing a card and hoping they eventually get around to entering it…”
Traditional business cards restrict your information-sharing to a 3” x 5” cardstock. This content space might not be enough to convey your complete value proposition for specific use cases.
Adding a QR Code to your business card lets you go beyond this restrictive content space issue to the business card landing page, which your QR Code links to, which can accommodate unlimited information. For example, in addition to your contact details, you can add multimedia elements, such as web URLs, social handles, Google Maps locations, and more.
3. No more reprints
You must reprint new business cards whenever your number, job role, or information changes. However, printing a dynamic QR Code and the most basic information on your business card solves this problem. You can link the QR Code to an editable digital business card that keeps your contact information current.
What are users saying:
“...I love that with the dynamic codes they make it so seamless to update your information and change what the consumer scans. I can't say enough good things about this company so far. I have been very happy with my experience so far.”
A QR Code business card is an attractive and professional networking tool that helps you stay ahead of the competition. Apart from being a tech-savvy alternative to traditional business cards, a business card with a QR Code is an excellent lead-capture tool that effectively exchanges contact information.
5. Monitor card analytics
A scannable business card—courtesy of its dynamic QR Code—allows you to capture meaningful engagement metrics. These metrics include unique scans, total scans, and engagement by location, time, and date.
What’re users saying:
“.....I created virtual business cards that are linked to the QR in seconds with the Uniqode platform that will be used on marketing materials. I will be able to see where the codes were scanned and when so I can track the usage of the QR code after events.”
You need a QR Code generator to create a QR Code that can be added to paper business cards.
Here, we’ll use Uniqode to demonstrate how to create a QR Code in under 5 minutes.
Step 1: Log-in to the Uniqode dashboard
Step 2: Choose your campaign type
Step 3: Set-up your QR Code
Step 4: Customize your QR Code based on your preferences and brand guidelines
Step 5: Download your QR Code
️🔥Pro tip: Simplify your QR Code business card design with Uniqode + Canva integration!
Adding a dynamic QR Code to your business card takes less than a minute when you integrate your Uniqode and Canva accounts. While you can generate a static QR Code on Canva, it won’t be editable and trackable compared to Uniqode’s dynamic QR Codes.
You only need a few existing QR Code designs on the Uniqode dashboard that can be imported to Canva with an API key.
Once you’ve integrated Uniqode and Canva, you can add the QR Code to business cards, brochures, or any other marketing collaterals.
You just need to print your QR Code business cards before your next event!
PS: This integration is available only if you have a Uniqode Teams Plan. Reach out to our team to know more!
5 Tips to improve your QR Code business card design
Now that you have created a QR Code for your business card, you can find ways to improve the designs to make it stand out. These tips will help you improve the number of scans from your QR Code while improving its visual appearance.
1. Use dynamic QR Codes
Static QR Codes work great, but if you want to edit your contact information or link the same QR Code to different destinations while running marketing campaigns, a dynamic QR Code is the way to go.
A QR Code provider like Uniqode offers additional features such as a secure interface, QR Code trackability, and retargeting campaigns.
2. Utilize both sides of the card
Overcrowding a QR Code on a business card can interfere with its scannability. While designing and printing a QR Code, you can dedicate an entire side of a business card to the QR Code. It improves the quiet space around the code, which makes it easy for every business card user or mobile device camera to read.
3. Optimize the destination URL
Figure out the purpose of the QR Code on your business card. For example, does it link to a website, a social media channel, or a digital business card? Consider using a Linkpage that lists multiple relevant URLs for the recipient to understand your brand better.
Ensure that the destination link is mobile-optimized. At the same time, test every URL before sharing your card at a networking event.
4. Experiment with unique shapes
Consider using non-traditional shapes for your business card, such as square or rounded designs. Unique shapes can make your card stand out and create a memorable impression. A well-designed QR Code shape can also complement the business card, making it more visually appealing and engaging
5. Use a clear call-to-action (CTA)
Ensure your QR Code is paired with a simple, compelling message such as “Scan to Connect” or “Visit My Portfolio” using QR Code frames. This directs people on what to do and why they should scan, increasing the likelihood of engagement.
Creative QR Code business card examples for professionals
1. Realtors
Almost 9 out of 10 prospects buy homes through a real estate agent, which is why agents need to stay connected with prospects as they navigate the property-hunting process. Realtors can share a digital contact card with their buyers for convenient and effective networking.
For example, they can present a QR Code business card during an in-person property demo. Recipients can then scan the realtor’s QR Code business card to save the agent’s details on their mobile device (it takes less than two minutes).
As buyers take time to finalize their purchase—which can take a few months—you can retarget them on Google and Facebook. This retargeting capability initiates after a prospect scans your business card QR Code for the first time.
2. Business Consultants
Consultants tend to share traditional business cards with their prospects that are often discarded within a week. Business professionals can avoid this by sharing a digital version of their card via a business card QR Code on a name tag.
Once recipients scan the QR Code, they can immediately save the consultant’s information on their mobile devices. Hence, if they misplace or throw away the card in the future, they still have the consultant’s details to stay connected.
Consider WeWork’s Community Managers. One of their key responsibilities is to upsell to existing clients.
These professionals can install their QR Code business cards across the WeWork establishment. This way, companies operating from that specific WeWork can scan the QR at their convenience and contact a Community Manager for any requirement they may have.
4. Lawyers
A business card barely has enough space to share your contact details, let alone a legal professional’s expertise in legal filings and their client’s experience after working with them. However, law firms can opt for QR Code business cards to link multiple resources, such as detailed information on legal procedures, videos on filling out specific forms, and client testimonials.
Additionally, lawyers can use QR Codes to facilitate appointment scheduling directly from their business cards, allowing clients to book consultations with just a scan.
5. Healthcare Providers
A QR Code business card for healthcare professionals is a good way for patients to connect with them after the appointment for relevant resources or follow-ups. Distributing physical business cards in healthcare facilities can increase the risk of contractable diseases. But, if they print a QR Code on their business cards, patients can scan and save the contact information on their phones without exchanging cards. It creates a more hygienic and safe environment for patients and healthcare providers at the facility.
Doctors can also include QR Codes that link to patient portals where individuals can schedule appointments, view test results, or access educational materials about their health conditions.
A QR Code business card is a good way for retail professionals to improve referrals, build connections as personal shoppers, and enhance a customer’s in-person shopping experience. For example, a boutique could place QR Codes on its business cards that lead customers to a special discount page or offer more insight into the brand and what it stands for.
Since a scan is such a simple step to take for the customer, it incentivizes them to sign up for loyalty programs and also builds your database for future marketing efforts.
While adding a QR Code to a business card is a good idea, it doesn’t cut the bill in a digital-first world and can still get expensive for a big team. This networking solution isn’t trackable or environmentally sustainable either.
Even after spending hours designing a business card, 63% end up in the trash because the recipient might not need your service then. Eventually, customers cannot get back to you unless your contact details are saved on their phone.
You need a solution that’s easy to use, doesn’t require a physical card, and makes your contact details easy to access.
The good news is that this is precisely what a digital business card does! Let’s explore how a QR Code business card and a digital business card weigh against each other so that you can choose the right tool for your requirements.
QR Code business card vs. digital business card–Which should you choose?
Parameter
QR Code business card
Digital business card
Ease of sharing
Limited to physical interactions and requires recipients to scan a QR Code.
It can be shared as a link or QR Code over email, social media, WhatsApp, and other digital channels.
Trackability
This is only possible if you use a dynamic QR Code or link the QR Code to trackable UTMs for social media or website URLs.
High trackability with real-time analytics on views, scans, and contact saves. You can run re-target campaigns too.
Security
Generally secure, but your contact information can be accessed by anyone who scans the code.
More secure as the digital business card can be password protected with limited access settings.
Design and customization
The customization is limited to the physical space on the business card.
Extensive customization includes templates, brand colors, logos, text formatting, and multimedia content.
Information available
Stores basic contact details; limited by the physical card's space.
It can hold comprehensive information, including videos, PDFs, and social media links.
Environmental impact
The use of physical materials contributes to environmental waste.
Environmentally friendly as it eliminates the need for paper and printing.
Cost
A paper business costs between $50 and $100 annually per team member.
You can create a free digital business card with Uniqode or opt for a Team plan that starts at $6 per month.
While both networking tools are good alternatives to paper business cards, a digital business card is more effective for sharing information, trackability, and lead generation because it’s a 100% digital tool.
A digital business card is a much more affordable solution, and Uniqode offers plans for every size and type of business.
We also offer custom BUSINESS+ plans for large companies with tiered pricing based on your requirements. These plans include platform white labeling, a custom domain, SSO login, a dedicated Customer Success Manager, and more.
You can check the cost of Uniqode’s digital business card solution. (You’ll be surprised that it’s way under your annual budget for paper business cards!)
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