Why Business Cards Are Still So Important

Digital communications and record keeping seem dominant, and it would make sense for them to become increasingly dominant in the years to come. But if you’ve been to a networking event recently, you probably collected the same number of business cards you might have gotten a decade ago, before the smartphone takeover.

The reality is, business cards are still relevant—and even vital—for more professions. But why is this the case?

Immediacy

One of the biggest factors in business cards’ favor is their immediacy. It takes a second to hand a new contact a business card, whereas it might take a few minutes or more to go over details like your name, the company you work for, and your email address. Even with modern smart devices, it takes time to enter that information manually (and double check it). Couple that with the fact that business cards are permanent—if you forgot to jot down a key detail, you can always look it up later.

Professional Image

Business cards also lend themselves to a more professional image. It’s entirely possible for a talented, experienced professional to be conducting business without business cards, but we’re more inclined to believe that someone is worth our time when they have a crisp, polished image in business card form. If you invest more money and design work into your cards, you can create a powerful first impression, too—uniquely designed cards are more memorable, and show that you put thought into how you’re received.

Attainability

We also need to consider how easily attainable business cards are. These days, anyone can hop on a website and order a pack of business cards for a very reasonable price (depending on which options you choose). Assuming you already have a design in place or are using a preexisting template, you should be able to purchase a thousand or more for less than $50. It’s hard to justify not using them when there are no logistic or cost hurdles to obtaining them.

Business cards are also lightweight and easy to transport. You can keep them in a case, in a pocket, or a purse, 50 at a time, and not even notice them. And you can store hundreds, or even thousands of them in your desk without taking up much space.

Recipient Empowerment

With business cards, there’s very little pressure, and only easy norms to follow. You can distribute business cards quickly, then let your recipients do what they will with them. Rather than standing over their shoulder, watching them as they input your details into their phone, you can simply hand them the business card and move on. If they choose to create you as a new contact in their digital device, they can do so at their own leisure, or they can add it to the growing stack of business cards they keep in a drawer at their desk. They can even throw the card away when you turn your back, and you’ll be none the wiser.

Corporate Culture Consistency

Many companies like business cards because it gives their employees a sense of unity, and communicates their brand and culture effectively across all departments. For example, all their sales staff might have similarly shaped and colored business cards, with the same types of information available for each representative (with personal details swapped out). As more people begin to engage with individual representatives within the company, they’ll have a more consistent experience—and will begin to think of the company as a single, cohesive, professional unit.

Tradition

Business cards also have a long history—in fact, there’s evidence to suggest they were being used as early as the 17^th Century. For the past several decades, they’ve been the gold standard for exchanging personal information in a professional setting, and it’s hard for those types of extended traditions to disappear, even with new competing technologies. People in their 40s and older entered a professional culture where business cards were both universal and incomparably effective; it’s hard to give up the habit of giving those cards away. Older traditional businesses might have a similarly hard time parting ways with the tradition.

Do You Need Business Cards?

If you aren’t currently using business cards, should you take this as a wake-up call to get some?

It’s entirely possible to run a successful business or build a successful career without business cards, especially if your field doesn’t require frequent interactions with new people. However, the right business cards can lift your professional image and serve as convenient networking tools—and they’re both inexpensive and easy to obtain. Consider getting some if you want to be an active part of a professional culture that still very much values them as communicative tools.