Business cards today have evolved beyond just printed paper cards. Digital business cards that can be shared online or via mobile devices are becoming more common. One way to enhance your digital business card is to integrate a QR code.
QR (quick response) codes are scannable barcodes that can store various types of data such as website URLs, contact information, documents, videos, and more. When scanned by a smartphone camera, the QR code launches the stored data instantly. Integrating a QR code into your digital business card makes it easy for contacts to quickly access your information or media. By the end of this guide, you’ll have a QR code-enabled digital business card that provides an interactive and high-tech way for you to share your contact and marketing information.
Choosing a QR Code Generator
The first step is selecting a reliable QR code generator to create your unique QR code for your digital business card. There are many free online QR generators, but you want one that is reputable and offers customization options.
A good QR generator will allow you to create a personalized design, embed specific contact information directly in the code, and provide usage analytics so you can see scan numbers. Most free basic generators only encode a URL, so look for more advanced features.
Customizing Your QR Code
Once you’ve selected a generator, it’s time to customize your QR code’s appearance and embedded content.
Design Customization
Most generators let you customize the color, shape, size, and image area of the code. Choose design elements that align with your brand colors and image; for example, putting your company logo in the center of the code. Make sure to keep the QR code large and scannable.
Embedded Content
You’ll want to embed pertinent contact information directly into the QR code. Options may include:
Embedding this data makes it instantly accessible when scanned instead of just encoding a website URL. Select the most relevant info you want recipients to access.
Integrating the QR Code into Your Digital Business Card
Once your QR code is created, it’s time to integrate it into your digital business card layout. There are a few options for this:
Static Image Business Card
For a basic digital business card image to share online, simply download the QR code as a PNG file from the generator then add/insert the image file into your business card design. Many graphic design programs allow you to open, customize, and insert images.
Mobile App Business Card
If you want a more interactive digital card to share on smartphones, use a dedicated mobile app like CamCard or Evernote to generate a mobile business card with integrated QR code. These apps make it easy to design and share digital cards instantly.
Website Embedded Business Card
Add your QR code image file to your professional website, company bio page, or “About” section so it’s integrated seamlessly when people visit your website. Use HTML to embed the QR code into the page for optimal scannability.
Email Signature Business Card
Include the QR code linked to your digital card file in your email signature. This allows email recipients to easily scan and save your card contact information. Use a QR code image hyperlinked to your online card file.
Promoting Your QR Coded Card
Once your business card is QR-enabled, promote it! Hand out printed cards with your QR code included and let people know they can scan to instantly save your details or access your website/videos.
Send your digital card as an attachment when networking online. Share on your website, LinkedIn, social media, and professional profiles. The more your QR code circulates, the more digital connections you can make.
Track analytics through your QR generator to see your code’s scan volume and use trends. Identify where/how people are accessing it most and then double down on promotion in those areas. Update your code if your contact information changes.
Integrating a QR code makes your business card stand out while providing practical instant access to your digital information when scanned. Selecting the right QR generator, customizing your code design and content, seamlessly integrating it into digital and print cards, and promoting it across marketing channels lets you maximize the interactive power of QR-connected business cards.
With this how-to guide, you can create QR-powered digital business cards that engage contacts and keep you connected through seamless contact sharing. Stand out from the stack of boring business cards by adding scannable QR functionality.
