Help! I’m starting my own business. Do I need business cards? What details should be on a business card?

Do I need business cards?

Yes.

• Business cards are an important part of your marketing strategy.

•  Your business card is often part of the first impression of your business potential customers have.

• Without a business card gives an unprofessional impression.

• Without a business card you will be forever writing or dictating your contact details to someone.

• Details on random pieces of paper are likely to get lost or potential customers may forget why they have your contact information.

Once you are established you will need a properly printed business card. 

However, it is better to hand over a neat piece of paper showing appropriate details than nothing from the minute you decide that you are definitely starting your own business.

• Standard business cards measure approximately 55mm x 85mm.

• They may be single sided or double sided.

• There are many other variations such as the weight of card used, the finish, the font and so on.

What details should be on my business card?

A business card needs to:

• Show the business name

• Indicate the business type (Ideally, the company name will make this clear.)

• Show your name

•  Show your qualifications, if appropriate

• Give telephone number(s) (Always include a landline number.  A business can appear 'dodgy' if only a mobile number is given.)

• The business address

• The email address

• The website address

A business card may also include:

• A logo

• A tagline (E.g. ‘Never Knowingly Undersold’, John Lewis;  ‘Because You’re Worth It’, L'Oréal;  ‘You Either Love it or Hate It’, Marmite)

• Additional logos e.g. social media, trade or professional organisation

Finally, the design for one of Morgan Gleave Art & Design's business cards clearly giving the important information on one side and showing the logo on the other.

Questions and comments are welcome.