How to make a good business card: 5 tips and tricks

Now that we’re well into the digital age, you may wonder about the relevance of that little card in your pocket that has your name, address, email, and phone number. Why would someone need to walk away from a meet and greet with your business card when they can just send you a text or add you on LinkedIn? It may seem counterintuitive, but a tangible business card still plays a crucial role in making a strong first impression and can help build connections. 

Creating business cards may seem like an expensive investment to those just starting out — but it doesn’t have to be. These days, there are a number of ways to make business cards without breaking the bank. Read on to discover how you can create your own unique business cards in an affordable, simple way.

How to create your business card in 5 steps  

Anyone can make business cards. But before diving straight into the process, think about the following factors:

1. Consider the content of your business card

It goes without saying that the information you include on a good quality business card shouldn’t be an afterthought — it’s the main attraction, after all. But you need to be smart about it. Only the most crucial information should be included, as the surface area of a business card is limited. Every inch counts.

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What you include will obviously be highly dependent on your area of business and particular expertise. Generally speaking, business cards should feature the following:

Your business logo

An effective business card should reflect your branding, and central to branding is a memorable logo. Your logo should take center stage and draw the eye, giving it the opportunity to stand out amid a stack of other business cards. Standard practice is to place the logo in the top left corner. Some people like to put it on the front and the back of the card. Ultimately, the design element is up to you.

If your business doesn't have a logo yet, check out our free logo maker for a fast, easy way to create a memorable logo.

Your name, qualifications, job title, and business name

When including these essential details, there are a few things to consider. Obviously, the name you print here should be your actual name, but it doesn’t have to be the exact name your parents gave you if nobody calls you that. For instance, if your actual name is Jonathan Doe, but everyone calls you John, then write John on your business card. This prevents awkward conversations down the line and will also instill a sense of familiarity from the outset.

You can also include qualifications at the end of your name like MA or Ph.D., but only if it’s relevant to what you do. You might be very proud of your doctorate of history and want to shout about it from the rooftops, but it is in no way relevant to your graphic design business. Potential clients may not care.

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Choosing a job title is pretty straightforward if yours is already clear, such as Writer, Accountant, Graphic Designer, etc. It’s a little bit harder if you perform several roles within your company. One of the solutions here is to come up with a descriptive title that is all-encompassing, although this isn’t always possible or practical. Another option is to choose the title of your main function in the company. Try to avoid anything too general — otherwise, people won’t know what you do. If you’re still stumped about your job title, check out this helpful article on the subject.

Lastly, if you are working on behalf of a business or own your own business, be sure to include it!

Contact details

The two contact details you need to include on your business card are your email address and phone number.

Social media details are optional and dependent on your line of business. Again, this is due to the limited real estate of your business card surface. If your clients are unlikely to use Twitter or Facebook, then there’s no need to direct potential customers there when that space could be used for more relevant content. It makes more sense to direct them to a website that everyone can access without having to register a social media profile.

Website address

Whether you’re a freelancer or run a small business, you should have a website. The website address should be included on your business card. A social media page isn’t enough since, as we mentioned in the previous point, not everyone is on Facebook or Twitter. If you’re a freelancer or a small business owner that doesn’t have a website, it’s time to make one. If you don’t know where to start, let us help you with that.

Now that you’ve figured out your business card must-haves, it’s time to consider the optional extras that can really elevate your card above the rest. Beyond how you can be contacted, is there anything else you’d like to communicate via your business card?

Here are just a few optional special finishes that can help your business card stand out:

Business slogan or tagline

A snappy, memorable summation of what your business does can be a great way to bolster branding alongside your logo. If you’re not sure where to start, read our guide to creating an effective brand statement.

Business address

Including an address is only necessary when you actually have a physical office where clients will come to consult with you. If you’re running an online business from the comfort of your bedroom, you can probably leave it off.

Something fun or practical

Depending on your field, you can elevate your card by including something helpful and relevant to a client’s interests. People are more likely to hold on to something if they find it useful. For example, on the back, you could include some tips and tricks relevant to their interests, or even an interesting statistic or chart. If you sell goods or services, you could include a discount code or special offer.

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A blank back

Before you go gung-ho and decide to include all the optional extras, we should talk about the importance of “white space.” Every inch of your business card counts, certainly, but that doesn’t mean the whole thing has to be filled out. That will only result in a cluttered card that’s hard to read, making the most important information difficult to find. That’s why careful consideration of blank space is just as important as deciding which information to include. Many people also opt for keeping the back of their card completely blank so that others can easily jot down important notes to remember you by.

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2. Decide which fonts to use

When it comes to deciding what fonts to use on your business cards, readability should be your top priority, although you should consider the identity of your brand’s typeface as well. Mixing fonts can bring added interest to the card, but it’s typically recommended that you don’t use more than two — otherwise, you’ll just distract from your message.

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Furthermore, the fonts should be complementary, and don’t forget to consider your logo when deciding on fonts. If your logo features an eye-catching font, you should opt for something more pared back for the rest of the card. Sometimes, using one font for the entire card, but bolding, italicizing, or using different font sizes in specific areas can make for an attractive but simple contrast.

3. Choose a color scheme

The color scheme of your business cards shouldn’t be an afterthought. For the sake of consistency, the colors you choose need to be in line with your overall branding and should definitely complement your logo.

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As a general rule, bright colors are considered more playful and youthful, while darker, more subdued colors will lend a more serious tone. White is clean and simple. Everything about your business card, even something seemingly insignificant like the colors, can send a message about who you are and what you’re about. Indeed, brand colors are one of the most important aspects of presentation because they subconsciously affect how viewers perceive you!

4. Decide on card stock and finish

Card stock refers to the quality of paper your business card is printed on. Quality does matter, because what use is a well-designed card if the quality is flimsy and the finish lackluster? You want the paper stock to be thick enough so that it doesn’t tear easily, but not so thick that it won’t fit in standard business card holders or wallets.

Luxury printing

Matte vs. glossy finish

Whether you choose a matte or glossy finish for your business card mainly comes down to personal preference and won’t impact the professionalism of your design. With a matte finish, a protective coating is applied to the card for a more “dull” look. A matte finish is generally considered a good choice for cards with more text, while a glossy finish suits more colorful cards.

5. Decide on size and shape

Whether you want to go with the standard business card format or get creative will come down to personal preference. But there are also more functional factors to think about. While a business card with a zany shape may be a conversation starter and cool at the moment, it’s ultimately impractical. It’s likely to be tossed aside for other cards that are easier to slip in a pocket or credit card holder.

The standard size of 2 x 3 inches is standard for a reason. People are more likely to hold on to them and refer back to them later.

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How to make your own business cards

Now that you’ve decided on your business card’s content and general design, it’s time to get them made. But how do you go about doing that? There are a few avenues you can go down when it comes to creating your own business card design. 

If you have no design experience, the most straightforward option is to make your own business cards online with a premade business card template. Some online printing companies have templates that you can edit. There are also numerous free templates available on the web that you can download and edit in Microsoft Word or Microsoft Publisher. These options are fine if you’re looking for something that covers the very basics. 

The other route you can take is to use a business card generator. Business card generators have a similar simple setup to templates, but they allow for more customization. To create your own card through a generator, all you need to do is choose a design and logo, add your information, and then order your cards to have them shipped right to your door. This way, you know you’ll have something unique and memorable from the moment you begin designing. 

While going completely down the DIY route with your business cards may appear to be the most affordable option, this isn’t necessarily the case. Using an online business card generator where you have more control over the customization of your design and which will also take care of printing for you will more than likely save you time and money in the long run.

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Create your own business card with Namecheap

Even in the digital age, business cards are still as vital today as they were years ago. If you are someone who hasn’t created yours yet, now is the perfect opportunity to do so. With Namecheap, you can create your own unique business cards in a few quick and easy steps. All you need to do is choose a unique design that matches your business, upload a logo, and send the cards directly to your door. 

Namecheap’s Business Card Maker is an easy-to-use business card generator which allows you to create and order business cards in just a few simple steps. It features a wide range of templates that you can customize to your tastes. With the tool’s choice of colors and fonts and the option to upload your own logo, the possibilities for your business card are endless.

When you’re done, we’ll print it for you on high-quality paper and deliver it straight to your door. It’s an affordable way to make a professional impact. Use Namecheap’s Business Card Maker to save time and money without sacrificing quality. After all, what goes in your customer's wallet doesn't have to hurt your wallet.