What is a tool? A tool is something that, one, makes things easier and, two, amplifies your natural abilities. This is true whether we’re talking about a hammer, a bike, or, in this case, a digital business card…And the right digital business card is as important a tool to entrepreneurs and sales professionals as the right bike is to a cyclist or the right hammer is to a carpenter—it’s a choice with compounding returns, one that influences the success or failure of every networking interaction and potential in-person sale you do or don’t make.
This in-depth guide will help you choose the best digital business card for 2023.
Why digital business cards matter
If your industry is in any way backed by in-person networking, digital business cards can help in the following ways:
- Instant contact exchange
- Better organized, more effective selling
- Easy paper-business-card scanning
- Actionable lead and location-based notes
- Optimized contact-organization
- Automated follow-ups
Comparing digital business cards | Pros and cons
Blinq
Blinq is a digital business card platform that offers solutions like QR Codes, Apple Watch integrations, Smartphone widgets, and NFC business cards.
Blinq pros
- Fast QR-code based contact exchange
- Options to create multiple digital business card “profiles”
- Personalized hardware
Blinq cons
- No customizable link and lack of color customization.
- Limited integrations and CRM synch
- Limited device options
Dot
Dot offers NFC-based digital business cards and a free app that makes it possible to manage your card information and share it with others. The Dot Card platform also integrates with your social media accounts so you can share more than just your contact info.
Dot pros
- Inexpensive
- QR code scanning
- NFC-based tap-to-share
Dot cons
- Lacks customization options when compared to other NFC Business Cards
- No analytics or platform to track who is visiting or viewing your profile page
- Dot’s free option is “very basic”
Flowtag
Flowtag is a QR-code-based digital business card with options for contact and social media sharing.
Flowtag pros
- QR-code based sharing
- Social media integrations
- NFC-based tap-to-share options
Flowtag cons
- Limited features compared to other digital business cards
- No app for easy profile customizations
- No analytics or lead tracking
HiHello
HiHello is considered one of the more user-friendly digital business card apps. You can share your business card in multiple ways, including the URL, sending an email, using a QR code, or through text.
HiHello pros
- Eco-Friendly
- Affordable
- Variety of ways to share
HiHello cons
- No physical device options
- “A bit tedious to create” [your digital business card profile].
- Limited analytics tracking like digital business card views, clicks
Linq
Linq is a digital business card designed to give users a fast and easy way to share their contact info with potential customers.
Linq pros
- Custom pages
- Social media integrated
- In-app meeting scheduling
Linq cons
- User interface is not intuitive as other digital business cards
- App has a steeper learning curve than other digital business cards
- Lack of profile customization options
Mobilo
Mobilo is a physical business card with NFC and QR code support. Mobilo also offers metal and sustainably sourced Birch or Sapele wood cards.
Mobilo pros
- Cool custom devices
- Easily customizable
- Automatic CRM synch
Mobilo cons
- Fully web-based, no app
- Limited analytics like profile views, clicks, etc.
- Limited integrations
Popl
Popl is a digital business card and digital business card platform that helps organizations create, manage, and distribute digital business cards for their employees and personal use. Popl digital business cards allow instant sharing with the tap of an NFC-powered Popl device or by sending a custom URL or QR code.
Popl digital business cards are high-speed and come in various intelligent devices, from wristbands and keychains to business displays, back-of-phone devices, and more.
Popl Teams is a compelling management platform that helps sales and networking teams capture more leads using autofill forms that automatically sync with popular CRMs like Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho, and more.
Popl pros
- Instant contact exchange
- Automatic CRM updates
- Easy paper business card scanning
- Many ways to connect (tap, scan, text email)
- Variety of device options (card, back-of-phone devices, wristbands, keychains, etc.)
- Calendar integrated for quick appointment booking
- Fully and easily customizable
- Integrates with the most popular apps
Best digital business card | 2023 winner
Popl is 2023’s #1 digital business card. If you’re an entrepreneur or sales professional looking for the best possible networking tool for yourself or your team, check out Popl and Popl Teams.
What is a digital business card?
A digital business card is an online (electronic/digital/virtual) version of a traditional paper business card that can be exchanged and stored electronically, often through a mobile device or computer. They can include a person’s name, job title, contact information, and social media links. They can be shared through email, text message, or QR code and include interactive features such as videos and links to a person’s website or portfolio.
What’s the difference between QR Codes Cards and NFC Business Cards?
QR codes and NFC (near-field communication) are both technologies that can be used to create digital business cards.
- Free QR code generator for brands and businesses.
QR codes are two-dimensional barcodes scanned using a smartphone camera and a QR code reader app. They can store various information, including text, URLs, and contact information. QR codes can be printed on paper, displayed on a screen, and scanned to access the stored data.
On the other hand, NFC business cards use NFC technology, allowing wireless communication between devices nearby. An NFC-enabled device, such as a smartphone, can be tapped or held close to an NFC chip embedded in a business card to transfer information. NFC business cards are typically more expensive than QR code cards.
What’s NFC?
NFC (Near Field Communication) is a wireless communication technology that allows two devices to communicate when they are nearby, usually less than 4 cm apart. It is based on radio frequency identification (RFID) technology.
An NFC-enabled device, such as a smartphone, can be tapped or held close to an NFC chip embedded in a card, sticker, or other device to transfer information. This process is called “tapping” or “tapping to connect”.
What’s a QR code?
A QR code (Quick Response code) is a two-dimensional barcode that can be scanned using a smartphone camera and a QR code reader app. It was initially designed for the automotive industry in Japan, but now it is widely used in many other fields. They can store various information, including text, URLs, and contact information. QR codes can be printed on paper, business cards, billboards, or displayed on a screen and scanned to access the stored data.
A QR code comprises black and white squares arranged in a specific pattern. The encoded information is stored in the patterns and can be read by a QR code reader or scanner, which decodes the data and displays it on the screen.
What’s a “smart” business card?
A “smart” business card is another way to say digital business card.
Are digital business cards worth it?
Yes. Why? Because digital business cards are great tools that help entrepreneurs and sales professions by:
- Enabling quick, and easy contact exchange
- Helping keep contacts organized
- Saving time and money
- Helping the environment
- Helping close more deals
- Helping optimize workflow and administrative tasks like follow ups
- Helping maximize the return on in-person business networking
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