Networking in business is all about meeting new people, establishing connections and creating opportunities for your business. Whether you are attending an event, meeting with a potential client or introducing your services to someone new, the first step in that process is invariably to exchange contact details. But traditional business cards made from paper can get lost, misplaced or forgotten after a meeting.
A scannable business card makes this process far easier as it allows people to get access to your contact details, website, social media profiles and all the other business information with a simple scan. Rather than having to rely on a physical card you can share your information digitally, which makes it very convenient for the potential customers to connect with your business.
For small business owners and entrepreneurs this can be a very practical way of simplifying networking, cutting down on printing costs and managing business connections in a much more efficient manner.
Let’s first get a clear understanding of how a scannable card works before looking at the five key benefits it can bring to your business.
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What Is a Scannable Business Card?
A scannable business card is a digital version of the traditional paper business card. You essentially have a QR code which can be scanned via a smartphone to access your contact details.
A printed name card only has a very limited space for contact details. A digital name card on the other hand can contain your phone number, email address, company website, social media profiles and all the other relevant business links that you might want to share in one place.
For instance, if you’re at a business event in Singapore and you meet a potential client you can just show them your QR code. They can then scan it via their smartphone camera and go directly to your digital profile without having to manually type in your details.
Some digital business cards also make use of Near Field Communication (NFC) technology whereby you can share your profile by simply tapping an NFC enabled card against a compatible smartphone.
With Genic Cards you can share your business details via QR codes, NFC or digital links so that people can easily get in touch with you.
5 Key Benefits of Using a Scannable Business Card
1. Share Your Contact Details Quickly and Easily
One of the major benefits of a digital business card is the ease with which you can share your contact details.
With physical paper cards you’re inevitably going to have to carry a pile of them with you to every meeting or networking event. The person receiving your card might also have to manually save your number or go online to find your business.
A QR Code Business Card simplifies this process. Rather than handing over a physical card you can just have them scan the QR code to access your digital profile within seconds. They can then view your contact details, visit your website, look at your social media pages and save your details if the platform allows them to. This can be particularly useful when you’re meeting several people at once.
For instance, imagine you’re an entrepreneur attending a networking event where you meet multiple potential clients. Rather than searching through your bag for a paper card every time, you can share your QR code directly from your phone or use an NFC-enabled card.
The same convenience applies when you’re at a conference, meeting a business partner or pitching your services to a new customer.
Another advantage is that the recipient doesn’t need to download a separate app in order to view your digital profile. They can just scan the code with any compatible smartphone camera. Also for small business owners who are out meeting customers all the time this can make networking incredibly quick and easy.
2. Update Your Business Information Without Reprinting Cards
Business information can change over time. You might move to a new office, change your phone number, update your website or introduce new services. Therefore, with traditional paper business cards even a minor change can make your existing cards outdated and you may need to order a fresh batch that would add to your printing costs and would leave you with unused cards.
A digital card enables you to update your contact details via your digital profile rather than having to print out new cards every time there’s a change.
For instance, if you’re running a small marketing agency and have just launched a new website, you don’t need to go out and replace all your existing business cards. You can simply update the website link on your digital name card. Therefore, anyone accessing the same digital profile via your QR code or your linked NFC card will then be able to see the updated information.
This flexibility can be particularly useful for entrepreneurs whose businesses are constantly evolving.
You may want to add a new service, update your social media links or change your business address. With a digital profile, you can make these changes whenever needed.
Genic Cards have a profile builder which enables you to manage your contact details, social media channels and your website information all in one place. This also helps you to avoid passing on any out of date info to your prospective customers.
After all, if you’re handing out your business card and someone ends up with it only to find that your number or your website no longer works, they may have difficulty reaching you. Therefore, keeping your business information up to date makes it far easier for customers to get in touch via the correct channels and also reduces the time and cost involved in reprinting the cards.
3. Save on Printing Costs and Reduce Paper Waste
Printing business cards may appear to be a minor business expense but the cost can add up if you’re attending networking events on a regular basis or if you’re constantly updating your details. So, for small business owners and entrepreneurs on a limited budget, cutting unnecessary expenses is always helpful.
A digital business card reduces your dependence on printed cards, since you can share the same digital profile with many people. Rather than going down the route of ordering hundreds of business cards, you can create a digital profile and share that via a QR code or an NFC enabled card when you meet someone. You don’t need to be concerned at all about running out of cards during an event or about ordering another batch if your contact details change.
Consider a freelance consultant who goes to a number of business events each month. But with traditional cards, they’d be constantly having to keep an eye on their stock and then placing repeat orders. However, with a QR code business card, they can share their details with as many people as they need to without having to produce a new piece of paper card for every introduction.
Beyond the obvious saving on printing costs, digital business cards also help to reduce the amount of paper that gets used. As, standard business cards require paper, ink, and all the other printing materials. But a lot of them end up in the bin anyway, particularly when the details become out of date. Therefore, using a digital alternative reduces the need for re-printing and therefore helps a business to minimise paper consumption.
While digital platforms and physical NFC cards have an environmental footprint of their own, the simple act of reducing the number of disposable paper cards is a very tangible step in the right direction when it comes to making business networking more sustainable.
For the entrepreneur looking to cut costs whilst still making an environmentally sound choice, a digital business card delivers both a cost saving and a practical benefit.
4. Create a Professional Impression and Showcase Your Business
When you’re meeting a potential customer or business partner, the first thing that matters is making a good first impression. The way you present yourself and your business will have a direct bearing on how easily they’ll remember it. Traditional business cards are good for passing on your basic contact details but obviously have very limited space in which to explain what you actually do. However, a digital business card gives you far more flexibility as it enables you to link people to a digital profile which contains all the relevant business information.
Rather than just giving your name, phone number and email you can also include links to your website, portfolio, social media accounts and all the other sorts of things that might be useful.
If you’ve got a small retail business you can simply direct people to your online store or to your social media pages where they can browse your range of products. This makes it far easier for potential customers to find out more about your business as they don’t have to go searching for it themselves.
A digital name card also helps you to present your business information in a neat and accessible way. Instead of sending out several links individually, you can bring all your key contact details and business platforms together in one digital profile.
Some platforms also let you manage multiple profiles which can be useful for an entrepreneur who is running multiple businesses or has a number of different professional roles.
For example, Genic Cards has a multi-profile facility which enables you to manage multiple professional profiles from a single account depending on the plan you’ve selected.
This can help you keep your business information organised while sharing the profile most relevant to the person you’re meeting.
A digital business card doesn’t automatically guarantee a strong impression, but a clear, updated and well-organised profile can make it easier for people to understand your business and remember how to contact you.
5. Capture Potential Leads and Make Follow-Ups Easier
Meeting potential customers is just the first stage of business networking. The follow up after that initial meeting is equally important for relationship building and for exploring new opportunities.
With traditional paper cards, organising contact details after an event can be time-consuming, especially when you’ve met several people. However, a digital business card can actually make this process much easier when it includes lead capture capabilities.
For example, imagine you’re a small business owner attending an exhibition in Singapore. Instead of manually collecting contact details from interested visitors, you can share a QR Code Business Card linked to your digital profile and lead form.
Visitors who want to learn more about your services can submit their information, making it easier for you to organise enquiries and follow up later.
Genic Cards provide custom lead forms and a leads dashboard to help businesses capture customer information, track interactions and manage enquiries (depending on the plan selected). However, scanning a QR code alone doesn’t automatically collect someone’s contact details. Visitors generally need to submit their information through the form.
For entrepreneurs these features can really help in keeping potential leads in order, making it easier to follow up and reducing the risk of missing out on good business opportunities.
How to Get Started With a Scannable Business Card
Getting started with a digital business card is very simple. With Genic Cards, you can set up your digital profile and start sharing your business details in just 3 steps.
Step 1: Choose Your Digital Business Card
Look at Genic Cards’ range of products and plans and pick the one that best fits your business.
Step 2: Create Your Digital Profile
Set up your account, enter your contact details, your website, your social media profiles and any other relevant business information.
Step 3: Start Sharing Your Business Details
Once your profile is ready you can share it via QR code, digital link or NFC tap (using a compatible device).
Before you share it, test your QR code and make sure your contact details and links are all correct. Don’t forget to update your profile whenever your business details change.
Make Business Networking Easier With Genic Cards
In business, every new connection can create a valuable opportunity. Digital business cards make networking easier by allowing you to share contact details instantly, update information without reprinting, reduce paper waste, showcase your business and manage potential leads more efficiently.
With Genic Cards you can create a digital name card that brings your contact details, website and social media profiles all in one. Features such as QR code sharing, NFC technology and lead management tools help make networking more convenient and organised.
Ready to make your business networking a bit easier? Take a look at Genic Cards’ digital business card solution to connect easily with potential customers through a simple scan.
