Business cards survived LinkedIn, but the way people use them has changed. Hardly anyone files them in a drawer any more. They either save the contact to their phone straight away or bin the card. The QR code decides which.
Two options for what goes in the code
Contact card (vCard). The code holds your name, phone and e-mail. After scanning, the phone offers "Save contact" right away, with no internet and no extra taps. The downside: the more details, the denser the code. And when your number changes, the cards are useless.
A link to your website or profile (dynamic). The code is small and simple and opens your website, LinkedIn or a contact page. You can change the destination any time and see how many people scanned. Saving the contact takes one extra step, though.
Try it and watch the code change as you add details:
Jane Novak
Designer · Studio Example
+44 7700 900123
jane@example.com
A code like this scans fine on a card.
What to include and what to leave out
- Yes: name, mobile, e-mail. That's what people actually need.
- Better not: office address, fax, second and third numbers. Every extra detail makes the code bigger and almost nobody uses it.
- Write your phone number in international format, like +44 7700 900123. Otherwise it won't dial from abroad.
- Your job title and company are already printed on the card, so they don't need to be in the code.
Size and placement
On a business card the code should be at least 2.5 cm (1 inch), or 3 cm for a contact with more details. It usually goes on the back, where it has plenty of space around it. On the front it competes with your logo and name, and the printer shrinks it.
If you want the code in your brand colour, stick to a dark shade on light paper. Matte stock beats glossy, which reflects lamp light straight into the camera.
Which should you choose?
If you hand out cards at fairs and meetings and want people to save you on the spot, go for the contact card. If you're likely to change jobs or numbers, or want to send people to your portfolio, go for a dynamic link. Your cards will then last for years even when the details change.
Questions people ask
Does a QR contact card work on iPhone and Android?⌄
Yes. Both offer to save the contact after scanning with the camera. On older Android phones this sometimes needs a QR scanner app.
Can I put LinkedIn in the code?⌄
Yes, as a link to your profile. If you want both the contact and LinkedIn, link to a page that has both.
Is a business card QR code free?⌄
Yes. Contact cards and links as static codes are free. A dynamic code you can edit is part of Pro, with a 14-day free trial.
What if I change my phone number?⌄
With the contact in the code, you'll need new cards. With a dynamic link, you just update the page the code points to.
Create a business card QR code
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