We’ve all seen business cards before. We all know their general purpose is to provide basic contact information. But these days, there are a massive number of ways to get in contact with a person or a company - do you need to list every single one? Probably not. Should you just include a phone number? Also, probably not. Your needs will vary depending on whether your business card is for a company in general, an employee of a company, or for personal use. I'll walk you through all the information you may or may not want to put on your business card, then you can decide.

Logo

This may seem like an obvious one, but did you know that many people use business cards outside of a business setting and therefore don’t have a logo to put on? Don’t make a logo JUST to put on your business card. If you have one, or if your company has one, then go ahead and use it. Otherwise, leave one off.

Just starting your business and want to include a logo, but don’t have one yet? Let us help you out - click here to get started.

Business Name

This has the same logic as the logo. If you’re making a personal business card, don’t make up a business name to satisfy some business card template. Take that piece off and keep it simple. There are plenty of other pieces of information you can put on.

Name

For a personal business card, this is a must. For an employee business card, this is also a must. But what if you’re making a business card for your company? Skip it. There is nothing wrong with just having your business name as the header.

Personal Photo

For personal business cards (employee or personal use), this one depends on your preferences. I would only use it if there isn’t a logo already on the card, and if you believe it is important for your customers to have a photo of you. Personally, I wouldn’t put an image on any of my business cards, and short of realtors and other public figures, I’d probably recommend my clients not use one either.

Job Title

Personal business cards probably should have a job title (or whatever you are in need of a card for) on them since there is no business associated with your card. A contact who collected your business card months ago needs to remember why he did so and if your card doesn’t tell him all of who you are - he’ll toss it. However - I did say probably. If you’re a jack-of-all-trades and just need a card as a general contact card, it would be better to leave the mountain of job titles off. In a business setting, a job title would be a good addition to your card so contacts know where you fall in the company and can contact you accordingly.

Business Phone Number

Can you be reached personally at your business’ main phone number? If yes, it can go on there, but be sure to include any extension needed to reach you. If the card isn't for a person, but rather the entire business, then absolutely put that number on there! In either case, don't forget the area code and country code if you work internationally.

Personal Phone Number

This one is easy, assuming the card is for a person (a personal card or an employee card) then yes, a phone number is a must! Do you accept texts too? You're welcome to say so!

Website

“If you have a business, you should have a website. Period. No Question. Without a doubt.” - Tim W. Knox, founder, president & CEO of multiple successful tech companies. This guy seems to know what he’s talking about. Websites are super important in today’s society. If you don’t have a website, you don’t really exist to a huge portion of your potential client base. So, yes, if your card is for a business or an employee of a business, put the website on it!

If you have a business and don’t have a website - click here to get started with us today.

Fax Number

To many of us, fax machines may seem obsolete. However, they are still used by many companies for record transfers (medical records, rental records, etc) - and in these cases the numbers should be easily accessible, like, say, on a business card! If you have a fax machine and use it even semi-regularly, stick that number on there.

Email Address

Email is the most common form of communication these days - and I’d make a safe guess that there are very few people without one. So yes, you need an email address on your business card. For company cards, use a general info@ or customerservice@, etc. For an employee card, your business email (assuming you have one) should be the one you use. If this is a personal card, obviously use your personal email address - but make sure it is more professional than “puppylover101005@aol.com” or the like, something resembling your name is best.

Social Media

If social media is a primary source of communication for you, then by all means include it. However, only include the platforms that you will respond in a timely fashion to. If you rarely use your Instagram account, I don’t suggest putting it on there.

At the end of the day, these are just recommendations. You can put absolutely anything you want on a card, especially if it is for personal use (your employer may have specific requirements). No matter what you want to put on your card, Amanda Elizabeth Design would love to create the perfect look for it - get started here!