The 11 Best Digital Business Card Options in 2023

Building new connections with prospective clients is not just a necessary activity, but it can be pivotal for the success and longevity of a small business. Traditionally, handing out physical business cards during networking events has been an effective strategy. However, in today’s digital era, the trend is shifting towards using digital business cards, which are proving to be an even more effective and versatile tool for networking and client engagement.

After rigorous research and meticulous comparisons, we’ve compiled a list of the best digital business card apps. These resources can assist you in crafting a unique and representative digital electronic card that encapsulates the essence of your business and presents it in a compelling manner.

What is a Digital Business Card?

A digital business card, also known as a virtual business card, is a modern take on the traditional business card. It’s essentially a digital file, usually a cloud-based record, that houses crucial contact details, a direct link to your business website, and social media accounts, serving as a one-stop access point for your business’s digital presence.

The content of a electronic business card is highly customizable according to the business’s needs and owner’s preference. Some opt for a simple layout with basic contact details, while others prefer a more comprehensive approach, incorporating elements like user biographies, professional photographs, geo-location, and other relevant information. This flexibility allows the business card to provide a broader view of the business.

Sharing a virtual business card offers flexibility with several easy-to-use options. You can integrate it in your email through attachments or signatures. Another option is to share the URL of your digital business card via text messages for easy access. You can also generate a QR code for your card that allows prospects to save it directly to their devices with a simple scan.

Some digital business card apps even offer the option of sharing cards through Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. This feature can be incredibly convenient, allowing contactless sharing of your digital business card whenever both devices are NFC-enabled and in close proximity.

Here are the key benefits of sharing digital business cards:

They are cheaper than paper business cards.
You can easily distribute them.
Digital business card creation takes just a few minutes.
You can easily update information on digital cards.

As an added bonus, digital business cards contribute positively towards environmental sustainability. Unlike their paper counterparts, they leave no physical waste, making them a greener alternative in our pursuit of more eco-friendly business practices.

Digital Business Cards in 2023

The use of digital business cards is growing rapidly. According to a report from Market Research Future, the global digital business card market is predicted to touch USD 242.3 Million at an 11.2% CAGR by 2027.

So you can expect more small business owners to use digital business cards in 2023.

Our Methodology: The Best Digital Business Card Options

In today’s fast-paced digital world, traditional business cards are giving way to digital versions. Not only are digital business cards more eco-friendly, but they also offer seamless sharing, dynamic content, and easy updates. For entrepreneurs stepping into this modern era, choosing the best digital business card option is vital.

We’ve narrowed down the essential criteria you should consider while selecting a digital business card service. These factors, each crucial in its own right, are rated on a scale from 1 to 5 in terms of their importance.

Design Versatility (5/5)

Your business card is a reflection of your brand. The service should offer robust design tools, high-quality templates, and customization options to ensure your card is both professional and memorable.

Ease of Sharing (5/5)

One of the biggest perks of digital cards is easy sharing. The ideal platform allows for straightforward sharing across different mediums – be it through QR codes, links, or integrated sharing options on social platforms.

Information Capacity (4/5)

A good digital business card holds more than just your contact information. It should support additional content about your services or products, links to your work or portfolio, and even social media handles.

User Experience (5/5)

From creating your card to sharing it, the process should be user-friendly and intuitive. A service that’s cumbersome to use can detract from the time you have to focus on your core business activities.

Cross-Platform Accessibility (4/5)

The service should ensure that your digital card displays correctly and elegantly across various devices, as you never know which device the recipient will view it on.

Cost-Effectiveness (4/5)

While digital business cards are generally an affordable investment, it’s important to consider the pricing relative to the features offered, ensuring it aligns with your budget and needs.

Privacy and Security (5/5)

Given the personal information involved, security is paramount. The service should demonstrate a commitment to protecting your data and provide options to control what information you’re sharing.

By taking these crucial factors into account, we strive to provide you with insights into the most efficient and effective digital business card services available, tailored to meet the dynamic needs of modern entrepreneurs.

What is the Best Digital Business Card Maker in 2023?

If you’re seeking the premier digital business card maker in 2023, consider Popl, Linq, and QRcard. Popl offers an assortment of NFC products, Linq excels as a networking tool, and QRcard creates efficient QR-code-based cards.

However, the best choice will depend on your specific business networking goals. Whether you require versatile NFC products, a powerful networking platform, or swift QR Code access, each platform has unique offerings.

By exploring these options in-depth, you ensure an informed decision aligning with your business needs, boosting your networking capabilities effectively.

The 11 Best Digital Business Card Makers in 2023

We have listed leading digital business card creators below to help you pick the best option to create a digital business card for your business.

1. Popl

A leading digital business card creator, Popl helps individuals and teams make beautiful digital business cards that can be shared in multiple ways.

The company offers many NFC products to make digital card sharing easier. You can get a card, wristband, badge, and other options.

Key Features:

You can instantly share information (contact info, social media accounts, payment apps, videos, and files) by tapping, scanning, or sending.
Popl enables you to capture leads from your profile. Then, you can favorite, group, sort, and manage all those leads in Popl itself.
You can easily export captured leads to your favorite CRM. Popl can be directly integrated with Zoho, Salesforce, Hubspot, and many other CRMs.
Popl solutions can help you grow faster by allowing you to easily make more connections, capture more leads, and generate more sales.

Popl offers 24/7 one-on-one customer support to help business owners design perfect digital business cards.

Pros:

Popl offers mobile business cards with excellent NFC capabilities.
The company also allows you to have both physical business cards and digital business cards.
You can easily update information on your digital business cards.

Cons:

Popl offers various digital business card solutions with many advanced features. But these features come at a cost. So you should be ready to buy a subscription plan to use advanced features.

Pricing:

Popl offers a free plan that allows you to create one free digital business card. Its paid plans start from $6.49 per month, billed annually.

Popl also offers a 14-day free trial to try its various paid plans.

2. Blinq

If you want to leave a lasting impression on people you meet in a networking event, sharing a Blinq electronic business card can do the trick.

Used by leading companies such as Google and Uber, Blinq digital business cards are easy-to-create. And you will have multiple ways to share your digital business card.

From the Apple Watch app to smartphone widgets to NFC cards, you have various ways to let people grab your contact details and other related information.

Key Features: 

There is no need to take your phone out of your pocket to share your digital visiting card. You can share your card right from your Apple Watch.
You can easily customize your business card with your company logo and color scheme to maximize the success of your marketing efforts.
You can add your business card to the virtual background of Zoom and MS Teams.
Blinq focuses on the privacy and security of its client’s data. So you will have secure sharing of contact information and other related details.

Pros:

There is no cap on card sharing. So you can share an unlimited number of cards to grow your network.
It comes Apple Watch app to share QR codes with prospective customers.
You can add notes to your contacts’ cards to make them more memorable.
You can create dynamic email signatures.

Cons:

Blinq doesn’t have the option to print paper business cards with dynamic QR codes on them. But you can download Blinq dynamic QR code and print it on a paper card with a provider of your choice.
You may feel Blinq lacks color customization options.
You cannot add videos to your business cards.

Pricing:

Blinq plan for business starts from $5.99 per card per month (three card minimum). All plans come with a 30-Day free trial. For individuals, Blinq also offers a free plan.

3. Beaconstac

If you are looking for digital business cards with easy QR code functionality, Beaconstac is the right company for you. And the best part is you don’t need an app to share Beaconstac digital business cards. You can share these cards via Apple or Google Wallet.

Key Features: 

The company emphasizes the security of its clients. Its solutions are SOC-2 Type 2 & GDPR compliant and support multi-factor authentication.
You can centrally manage your cards as an admin and enforce brand templates.
You can integrate it with your favorite CRM software. Beaconstac’s digital business cards can be integrated with 5000+ CRMs and HR tools.
Beaconstac business cards allow you to track how often your prospects have checked out your business cards.

Pros:

The bulk creation feature enables you to create digital business cards in bulk in just two clicks.
The company offers world-classed customer support to its clients. So you will not have difficulty creating powerful business cards to make an excellent first impression on your prospects.
You can easily update your company information with the help of dynamic QR codes. And you can easily add custom colors, logos, backgrounds, and more to your digital business cards’ QR code.
You can get a custom domain for higher plans.

Cons:

The starting plan doesn’t support the bulk creation feature and many other useful features
Some small businesses can find it expensive.

Pricing

Subscription plans start from $6 per user per month. You can contact the company for custom pricing if you are running an enterprise. Beaconstac offers a 14-day free trial.

4. V1CE

V1CE is known to offer classy digital business cards. The company offers NFC-enabled cards with worldwide shipping. Moreover, you can order an iPhone NFC smart case with a message. This digital business card solution puts the power of a business card in the convenience of your phone.

Key Features:

The best thing about V1CE cards is you don’t have to buy any subscription or use an app to start using a V1CE digital business card.
You can choose a base material of your choice for your NFC card. The company currently makes physical cards in metal, bamboo, or plastic.
You can take the help of inhouse-designers of the company to design your NFC cards.
You can easily add, edit, and delete the information in your profile to share updated information on your NFC card.

Pros

V1CE offers stylish digital business cards that allow business owners to change their contact details in just a few clicks.
You don’t have to pay any monthly fee to use a V1CE digital business card.
NFC cards will also have a QR code printed on the back, allowing people with older phones that don’t support NFC to capture your contact details.

Cons:

As the company offers physical cards, there is no free option. So you have to spend money even to try the V1CE product.
Sometimes, the product you want to buy might not be available.

Pricing:

V1CE offers NFC cards made of plastic, metal, and bamboo. So the price can vary, depending on the type of material your pick for your digital business card. Black PVC One card costs $70 (without discount). And the price of the Android NFC case is $51, while the iPhone NFC case costs $70.

5. Mobilo

Mobilo offers multiple NFC options. You can pick an NFC card, NFC key fob, or NFC smart button to stick on the back of your smartphone. Its user-friendly interface allows you to customize your business card easily.

Key Features: 

Your Mobilo digital business card comes with four powerful modes—business card, landing page, lead generation, and link to any URL.
It allows you to track tangible results from your networking efforts. And leads you to generate will automatically be added to follow-up sequences.
You can connect it to your HR system to automate on and off-boarding. Doing so will save you time and money.
You can create unique email signatures of your team members with interactive QR codes included.

Pros:

You don’t have to pay any subscription fee for using a digital business card for personal use. Buy an NFC product, and you are all set to start using your virtual business card.
You can customize your digital business card’s QR code to match your branding.
You can update all your contact information on your card easily. And the changes are applied to your card in real-time.

Cons:

There is no free option available. If you want to try this digital business card solution, you have to buy an NFC card.
Some business owners may find the landing page minimalistic, and adding a video is impossible.

Pricing:

Mobilo offers NFC cards made of various materials. So the pricing for a Mobilo business card depends on the type of card your pick. Mobilo digital card pricing starts from $4.99 (one-time cost) for personal use. And for a team of employees, the pricing depends on the number of team members.

6. Linq

If you are a networking professional, Linq can be an ideal digital business card for you. Linq allows you to share information with prospects using a customizable page.

Key Features: 

You can create multiple profiles for different settings under one account.
You can set up reminders to follow up with new contacts. This feature will help you convert leads into customers.
You can fully customize your digital business card to leave a lasting impression on your prospects.
You can attach one or more profiles to multiple products.
With LinqPro, you can embed videos into your card.

Pros

Linq offers a wide range of products to choose from, including tags, custom cards, badges, bracelets, and product bundles for networking and events.
You can integrate Linq with 380+ CRMs.
Linq offers real-time analytics to gauge the success of your networking efforts.
It offers flexible subscription plans for teams.

Cons:

Some users may find Linq virtual business card app is not as intuitive as other solutions are.
You have to pay a monthly fee to use advanced features, such as embedding videos, music, forms, calendar integration, etc.

Pricing

The price of a Linq product depends on the solution you decide to buy. Linq card pricing starts from $11.99. The networking bundle costs $44.99.

7. Haystack

Haystack offers beautiful virtual business cards to make a great first impression. It is one of the world’s largest digital business card providers. With Haystack, you can drive traffic to your company website, social media, or other links.

Key Features:

Your Haystack card will have a unique QR code and a Unique URL. So you can share your Haystack card easily with anyone.
Once your prospects have saved your business card in their phones, your name will display when they call you. This means your number will not come up as an unknown number.
Your Haystack digital business card lets you add an email signature to any email client.
Haystack emphasizes privacy and security. So you don’t have to worry about data security.

Pros:

A free plan allows you to create unlimited cards and save unlimited contacts.
A paid plan enables you to create a vanity URL for your business card.
You can integrate the Haystack card with all leading CRMs.
Haystack offers you analytics to understand how effective your marketing efforts are.

Cons:

There is no NFC option available presently.
Only premium plans offer access to analytics.

Pricing:

The free plan of Haystack will meet your basic needs, and its business plan starts at $4,95 per month. For enterprise pricing, you can contact the company.

8. KADO Network

KADO, as it claims, is an all-in-one networking and relationship science tool. It allows you to share digital business cards, receive business cards, and organize cards. KADO can help you capture leads and centralize your contacts.

Key Features:

With a KADO digital business card, you can edit colors to complement your branding.
A KADO digital business card allows you to include the address of your office location, social media links, videos, and personalized buttons.
KADO offers multiple options to share your digital business card. In addition to the mobile app, you can share your e-business card via QR code, widget, wallet, or email signature.
KADO comes with an admin control feature that lets you fully control how your employees use their e-business cards. This feature will enable you to oversee analytics, privacy management, integration control, and more.

Pros:

It is easy to navigate through its user-friendly interface. So it will reduce the time your team would otherwise spend managing your contacts.
The best thing about KADO is you can sync all your contacts to one place.
You can integrate KADO with 1000+ CRMs.
vCard feature allows you to share your contact details with your prospects even when your Internet is not working.

Cons:

A free plan lacks advanced features like personalized buttons, call-to-action, customized privacy settings, etc.
Some small businesses may find KADO business cards costlier than other solutions.

Pricing:

KADO has a free plan with limited features. Its paid plan starts from $4.95 per month. The company also offers a free trial.

9. HiHello

If you have just started your business and don’t have money to spend on marketing and networking, HiHello digital business card is your best bet. HiHello free app is available on Android and iOS devices.

Key Features:

You can share your HiHello digital business card with your prospects in multiple ways, including QR code, Link sharing, Airdrop, NFC tag, Apple Watch, and many more.
The business card scanner feature enables you to scan physical business cards and have the contact details added to your address book. And the best thing is human verification is done when you scan physical business cards to ensure you have the correct information.
You can share your virtual business card by displaying a QR code on a virtual background during an e-meeting on Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet.
Its professional email signature generator helps you create a professional-looking email signature that links to your digital business card.

Pros:

HiHello offers an easy-to-navigate dashboard to create and update digital business cards.
You can include your photo, live photo or video, social media accounts, company logo, Yelp page, chat apps, and much more in your digital business card.
HiHello app is the top-rated app on Google Play and App Store. So you can rest assured that you’re using a trusted app.
You can easily convert an NFC tag into a digital business card with the help of the HiHello app.

Cons:

It doesn’t offer a bulk digital business card creation feature.
Some small business owners can find analytics too basic.

Pricing:

A free plan allows you to create four digital business cards. For a business team of 5+ users, the pricing is $5 per user. And the Professional plan costs $6 per user.

10. Switchit

Switchit is one of the best virtual business card providers. And the best thing about Switchit is that you can create one of the best digital business cards for your teams in just a few minutes.

It also allows you to create reminders and set alerts based on day and time. This will help you better manage follow-up meetings with your prospects.

Key Features:

Switchit allows you to add a video/image, third-party content, and custom branding to your digital business card.
With Switchit’s business card scanner, you can click a photograph of any business card and save the contact details digitally in Swtichit and your CRM.
Switchit works with Salesforce and HubSpot. Also, you can add up to 18 social media platforms.
You can add multiple contact numbers and URLs to your digital business card. This feature is helpful if you want to promote some products or services aggressively.

Pros:

You will have multiple ways to share your digital business cards, including QR code, Email, text, link sharing, etc.
You will have the option to include branded themes in digital business cards.
Switchit offers powerful analytics to track the success of your networking efforts.
You can create professional custom Zoom background for virtual meetings.

Cons:

A free plan has limited customization options.
Though Switchit offers good analytics to assess the success of networking efforts, this feature is available only in the business plan (topmost plan).
There is no option to create an NFC card.
A free plan doesn’t have a business card scanner feature.

Pricing:

A free plan of Switchit doesn’t offer features you will typically expect in a digital business card. So you will need to go for a paid plan to design a powerful business card. The premium plan of Swtichit costs $6.99 per month.

11. QRcard

If you are looking for a digital business card based on a QR code, a QR card can be the right solution. With QRcard, you can create a lock screen image having your personal QR code. This will help you quickly share your digital business card without unlocking your smartphone.

Key Features:

You can share your business card without an internet connection. Just show your personal QR code to your prospects.
All data is encrypted and stored locally on your device. ‘

Pros:

QRcard comes with an easy-to-use interface. So you can create your digital business card in just a few minutes.
You can use any photo as a background image for your personal QR code.

Cons:

You cannot integrate QRcard with any CRM.
There is no powerful analytics available, so you cannot track the success of your networking efforts.
You cannot create an NFC card.

Pricing:

A free plan allows you to add up to three contact details. But with a paid plan, you can add unlimited contact details. You will require to make a one-time payment of $2.99 for the premium plan of QRcard.

How to Choose the Best Electronic Business Card

If you’re looking to choose the ideal digital business card app to create captivating virtual business cards, it’s crucial to consider several points:

Know Your Goals

Initiate your search for a digital business card maker by clearly defining your goals. Are you aiming to create an electronic business card just to disseminate your contact information, or do you aspire to utilize it as a strategic tool to bolster your networking efforts? Understanding your objectives will aid you in pinpointing the essential features you require.

Check Different Digital Business Card Apps

After formulating a feature list predicated on your objectives, start examining the various digital business card apps. Analyze their functionalities to ascertain which solutions are aligned with your specific needs and preferences.

Compare Pricing

Electronic business cards could come with monthly/yearly subscription fees or might entail one-time costs. Interestingly, some digital business card apps offer a free plan to create these business cards.

Therefore, it’s crucial to contrast the pricing plans of various virtual business card apps, particularly those that provide the features you necessitate, ensuring you obtain the best value for your money.

Read about Privacy and Security

Always select an electronic business card maker that emphasizes protecting your privacy and ensuring security. Opt for an e-business card maker that employs encryption methods for your data and stores it locally for maximum security.

Consider Reviews and Testimonials

Never solely depend on the claims made by digital business card solution providers. Instead, make it a point to peruse reviews and testimonials on unbiased third-party sites to evaluate the actual performance and credibility of the e-business card company.

Check Customer Support Options

The last thing you want is slow or unresponsive customer service. Hence, ensure you choose a company that offers multiple channels for customer service, including chat, email, and telephone calls, providing a prompt reply to your queries. 

How to Make a Digital Business Card

Even though not all digital business card apps are created with the same features, the fundamental process tends to remain the same for most digital business card makers.

Step 1:

Begin by installing your chosen digital business card app and logging into your account. Once inside, select an appealing digital business card template that you wish to utilize in crafting your unique virtual business card.

Step 2:

Your next step is to set up your personal profile by providing basic information about yourself. Usually, this includes entering your name, uploading a profile picture, adding a company logo, describing your professional journey, among other details.

Step 3:

Once you’ve completed your profile setup, you should input your contact details. These might encompass a contact number, website address, Google Maps location, and other pertinent information.

Step 4:

Subsequently, you can add in your social media links, a captivating video, an attractive image, or any other data that your digital business card maker supports. Additionally, you can customize the font and color to align with your branding.

Step 5:

After populating the essential data fields, you can select the specific features you want to activate, which could include URL domain, QR code template, lead collection, etc.

Just follow the onscreen instructions to finalize your digital business card. And voila! Your professional and personalized digital business card will be ready in no time.

Physical Business Cards Vs. Electronic Business Cards

Physical Business Cards
Electronic Business Cards

Information Included
Typically includes basic information such as name, contact number, company name, and title
Can include more detailed information like social media links, videos, images, Google Maps, etc.

Sharing
Hand-to-hand exchange, requires physical presence
Can be shared in multiple ways, including QR code scanning, link sharing, NFC tag tapping, email signature, and text messages; no physical presence required

Analytics
No analytical data available
Powerful analytics provided to measure the success of networking efforts

Updates
Requires a new batch of cards for every update
Real-time changes can be made via the digital business card app

Cost
Printing costs can add up over time, especially with updates
Typically cheaper than traditional cards; many apps offer free e-business cards with limited functionality

Popularity
Usage declining in favor of electronic options
Growing in popularity due to convenience, cost-effectiveness, and greater flexibility

Electronic Business Cards – Final Words

Electronic business cards are swiftly gaining momentum in the contemporary business landscape, due to their numerous advantages over the traditional paper options. These electronic cards serve as a more environmentally-friendly, cost-effective, and convenient mode of disseminating contact details.

With a wide array of customization options and the ability to incorporate an extensive variety of information, digital business cards have the potential to drastically enhance your professional networking experiences.

Furthermore, digital business cards provide you with multiple avenues for sharing, thereby ensuring your prospects can access your details effortlessly.

What is included when you send an electronic business card?

When you dispatch an electronic business card, it encapsulates all the contact details and relevant information you’ve incorporated during its creation.

Typically, a digital business card creator app allows for the inclusion of your photo, contact details, website links, social media links, videos, and more. However, it’s important to note that the extent of data you can include on your digital card can fluctuate depending on the service provider’s guidelines and features.

What should be on a digital business card?

A well-crafted digital business card should encompass vital contact details such as your name, business name, logo, phone number, email address, and website URL, as well as social media profiles.

Additionally, it can be advantageous to include a call-to-action button to motivate recipients to take a specific action, such as scheduling a consultation, visiting your website, or even following your social media profiles.

Are electronic business cards worth it?

Absolutely! Electronic business cards are completely worth the investment. Digital business cards serve as an exceptional medium for exchanging contact information and cultivating valuable business relationships.

In addition to being significantly more affordable than physical business cards, digital cards champion environmental sustainability. They also offer versatile sharing options, including email, QR codes, text messages, link shares, and more. Importantly, they can be seamlessly integrated with your CRM system, thus facilitating the conversion of leads into customers in a streamlined manner.

Conclusion

The use of digital business cards in 2023 presents an exciting and efficient alternative to traditional paper-based business cards. The shift towards digital business cards is driven by their cost-effectiveness, ease of distribution, and the ability to update information swiftly. As we look ahead, the global digital business card market is expected to continue its growth, indicating a rising trend among small business owners and professionals.

When choosing the best digital business card maker in 2023, it’s essential to align your selection with your specific networking goals. Popl, Linq, and QRcard are among the top contenders, each offering unique features that cater to different needs. Popl, for instance, excels in NFC capabilities and mobile business cards, while Linq focuses on providing a robust networking platform. QRcard offers efficient QR code-based cards.

Ultimately, the decision should be based on your individual requirements and preferences. By exploring these options and considering factors like pricing, customization, and integrations, you can make an informed choice to enhance your networking capabilities effectively.

In summary, digital business cards are not just a modern replacement for paper business cards; they are a powerful tool for networking and client engagement in the digital age. As technology continues to advance, embracing digital business cards can be pivotal for the success and sustainability of your small business.

Image: Envato Elements