A business card is like your information calling card. It is used as a marketing tool to help people learn more about your products and services. A sound business card is one that is designed in a way that will make people remember your company. Unfortunately, many people make common mistakes while getting their business cards printed online.
Below are some of the more typical mistakes to try and avoid.
1. Not a Unique Design.
The worst type of business card design is one that blends in among the rest. It may as well not even exist if it won’t get the attention of the intended recipient. Unimpressive and mundane cards will quickly become a faint memory to the individual you gave them to. Instead, your cards need to be designed in a way that clearly defines what your business offers and stands out against the others.
2. Poor Quality Design and Card Stock.
When it comes to business card printing online, it’s best not to skimp on quality. Business cards are going to be a physical representation of your brand. If your business cards are cheap looking, recipients of your card may associate your brand as inferior. Poor quality cards can come off in a way that implies your business offers poor services and products.
3. Creating “Mystery” Business Cards.
Nothing is less useful than a business card that offers no real indication to the recipient what your business offers. If they don’t understand what products or services your company sells, there’s a good chance you won’t get many calls or referrals.
4. No Unique Selling Point.
Business cards can be used for much more than a piece of paper listing your business name and contact information. It can also be a powerful marketing tool. Your card needs to include a reason printed on it, indicating why a potential client should consider doing business with you instead of the competition. This can be done commonly by adding your company’s motto or guarantee.
5. Making Cards Too Big.
While it is essential to make your business cards stand out, making them oversized is not the best route to take. Standard business cards are 3.5 by 2 inches. This size is perfect for fitting in most wallets and cardholders. If you make yours too big to provide these spaces, it may end up getting overlooked or thrown out.
6. Print Too Small To Read.
If the recipient of your card needs a magnifying glass to read the wording on it, the print is too small. It is understandable to want to fit as much as possible about your business on the card as you can, but adding paragraphs of micro-text will do you no good. It will make it too difficult for most people to bother to read. It is best to keep the wording short and simple.
7. No Address Included.
People expect reputable businesses to have business addresses. It offers a sense of trust and reliability. When your card is missing an address, recipients may wonder if your business is legitimate. If you have a home-based business and do not want to include your address, consider getting a post office box to add instead. If nothing else, include your city and state where your products or services are offered.
8. Poor Color Usage.
If your budget allows, spice up your business cards with some color, a little color can make all the difference in getting your card to stand out. On the other hand, resist the urge to overload your business cards with too many colors or colors that do not complement each other. It will make them look too busy and take away from the real content and purpose of the cards.
9. Not Enough Contact Information.
Everyone has their preferred methods of contacting businesses they are interested in working with. Because of this, it is best to list all ways customers can get in contact with your business. Add your website, phone number, email address, and social media pages. If you don’t include all methods of communication, you may end up missing out on some business.
10. Not Giving Out Your Business Cards.
The worst mistake to make is having great business cards printed online and then not distributing them. Don’t let them sit in a box in your office and never get used. It is a waste of money and potential business.
If you avoid these common business card mistakes, you will have great cards ready to give out. Always carry some cards on you wherever you go. You never know when an opportunity to market your business will present itself. You don’t want to be passed up by a client because you failed to have a card to give them. Invite people to hand your cards to friends and family who may need your products and services.
