• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

GILL Solutions

Growing your business..Should be Strategic!

  • Our Process
  • Services
    • Full Service
      • Search Engine Optimization Service
      • Conversion Optimization
      • PPC Advertising Management
      • Social Media Marketing Service
      • Full Stack Development
    • Google Analytics Audit
    • Marketing Coach
    • Domains & Hosting
  • Training
    • Marketing Certification
      • Conversion Optimization Certification
      • Digital Advertising Certification
      • Search Engine Optimization Certification
      • Marketing Automation Certification
      • Content Marketing Certification
      • Social Media Strategy and Deployment Certification
    • Google Analytics Training
  • About
    • Our Story
    • Contact Us
  • Call 1-877-801-4090

Oct 25 2016

How to Design a Great Business Card

When thinking about business branding, it can be easy to forget the little things. I’m talking about the really simple stuff here – creating a consistent brand image requires some serious attention to detail.

Business Branding

Business cards don’t seem like a big deal. People hand them out like candy. Maybe you didn’t think you needed them because you do most of your work online. Or maybe you thought your website and social media accounts were enough to give people the information they need.

However, business cards can, and should be, an important part of business branding. They can’t give people all the information about you and your business. But they are a tool, and failing to have them is a major missed opportunity.

Business Cards as a Networking Tool

Not everyone enjoys, or is good at, networking. In this highly digitized age, in-person networking has become less essential in some ways. Yet, meeting new people is always an opportunity to share what you do.

Whether you encounter people in the context of your business dealings or in social situations, you should have a business card at the ready. After all, what is more impactful – an email address scrawled on a napkin or a professionally printed business card?

Obviously, it’s the latter. The napkin is almost certainly going to get thrown away or lost. The business card, on the other hand, will be gently placed in a wallet or purse. The recipient might not look at it right away. They may not even think about it until much later. But when they do, it will be there, waiting.

Why Just Any Old Card Won’t Do

And speaking of professionalism, there are some important things to keep in mind when getting your business cards ready. A business card – like your website, your social media accounts, etc. – is part of business branding as a whole. If it’s conspicuously cheap or haphazardly designed, people will notice.

Designing a high-quality business card that represents your business well isn’t especially difficult or time-consuming. But do put a bit of effort into considering what type of card you want and what information to include.

Your efforts will not be wasted. You can get 500 or more cards printed at once. Unless you are a super-networker, that should last you a while. So spend an hour or so putting it together well, and you shouldn’t have to worry about it again for a while.

Do’s and Don’ts for Effective Business Branding Card Design

These are just some quick and dirty tips to help you ensure your card works for your overall business branding effort. Above all, remember that while you don’t want your card to be boring, you don’t want it to be over-the-top either. There may be a few exceptions for those whose branding strategy hinges on ultra-creativity across the board. For most though, focus on content and simple design elements.

  • DO stick with standard business card sizing. 3.5 x 2” is the perfect size to fit in most wallets. And you’d be hard-pressed to find business card holders for non-standard shapes and sizes.

There are mini-sized cards out there, but these don’t stick up out of a wallet’s slots, and are thus likely to get lost. There are also round, oval, and other different shapes available. These should generally be avoided for the same reason. If you really want your card to stand out, you can choose curved edges or special embedded design elements.

  • DON’T go for freebie business cards. There are websites out there that offer 50 or 100 free business cards. However, I would encourage you not to use these offers unless it’s the only way you can afford business cards. And business cards aren’t even that expensive. So please, suck it up and spend twenty bucks or so.

The main reason I say you shouldn’t opt for the free cards is that you’ll get stuck with the printing company’s logo on them. You want to be forwarding your own brand image, not advertising for another company. Free deals also give you the cheapest card stock and limited design options.

  • DO think carefully about the information you want to include on your business cards. You should be including essential information that can be conveyed simply.

Essential information will probably include your name, title, phone number, and email address. If you own a brick-and-mortar business, you should list your address. You may also wish to include a brief description of services offered, your website, and/or your LinkedIn profile address.

  • DON’T jam your business cards so full of information that they become cluttered. If you find that you have to use a tiny font to fit everything in, it’s time to make some cuts.
  • DO upgrade your paper and choose an attractive (but not busy) design. Like all your business branding efforts, your cards are a reflection of what you do. Special features like metallic accents and raised print give a luxurious impression without being distracting.
  • DON’T use the back of the card for essential information. You may choose to leave the backs blank so you can write on them. Or you might use the space for your logo. Other ideas include a graphic related to your business, a picture of yourself, or a quote.

Whether you use a template, design your own, or hire someone to create your business cards, a little effort and money go a long way. If you skip the cards, you’ll kick yourself when you meet someone who’s interested in your business. Don’t put yourself through that! If you need inspiration, a simple search will bring up tons of examples.

Written by George Gill · Categorized: Branding · Tagged: business branding, business cards, marketing, networking

About George Gill

George Gill is the founder of GILL Solutions. He lives in Peterborough Canada, and is an avid learner, passionate trainer and speaker. For over 20+ years, he's helped businesses implement growth strategies and systems to consistently out perform their expectations. Measurement is always key!

Primary Sidebar

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Email Newsletter

Sign up to receive email updates weekly and to hear what’s going on with us!

Business Strategy

GILL Solutions Management Is an Industry Game Changer in Canada

March 9, 2022 By George Gill

GILL Solutions Management takes pride in its ability to deliver world-class digital solutions for reasonable costs. We’re an experienced team that works with businesses in identifying the most optimal ways to … Continue Reading about GILL Solutions Management Is an Industry Game Changer in Canada

Important Benefits of Facebook for Your Business

May 15, 2020 By George Gill

Whether you are a person who likes social media or not, if you're in business, there is a good chance that at some point you've considered FaceBook for your business. Understanding what the benefits are, is an … Continue Reading about Important Benefits of Facebook for Your Business

Before You Start – Is Social Media Marketing Profitable

May 14, 2020 By George Gill

We all know Social Media is popular. But before your business goes down the path of investing resources and budget into this marketing channel, you need to know what to expect. Most importantly can it be profitable … Continue Reading about Before You Start – Is Social Media Marketing Profitable

Do You Have to Pay for Search Engine Optimization

May 12, 2020 By George Gill

Every business I have ever spoken to has unanimously agreed, they would love to be on page one of Google for the keywords directly related to their business. Most believe they deserve to be at the top, and the … Continue Reading about Do You Have to Pay for Search Engine Optimization

How Important is Conversion Optimization to Your Business

May 11, 2020 By George Gill

With over 20 years in the digital marketing field, the number one approach to quickly generate the greatest impact on a business's results that I've witnessed has been accomplished through conversion rate … Continue Reading about How Important is Conversion Optimization to Your Business

Why is Siteground so expensive vs competitors

Why is Siteground so Expensive vs Competitors

May 7, 2020 By George Gill

Hosting your website is a very big deal for many reasons that we'll discuss in this article. Siteground is a hosting company (click to see Siteground's current offer) we often recommend, even though they tend to be … Continue Reading about Why is Siteground so Expensive vs Competitors

Footer

GILL Solutions Management
7901 4th St. N STE 4155
St. Petersburg, FL 33702

GILL Solutions Management
3080 Yonge Street, Suite 6060
Toronto, Ontario M4N-3N1

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

GILL Solutions Management
P.O. Box 30024 RPO Chemong
Peterborough, Ontario, K9H 7R4

  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Our Blog
  • Student Login
  • Contact Us

©2020 GILL Solutions Management LLC