Not sure whether to choose a physical or digital business card for your networking needs? This guide will explore the main differences between these two options to help you make an informed choice.
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Whether you choose a fully digital approach or prefer a physical card, there are tailored solutions available for your needs.
The crucial question remains: should you opt for a physical business card or go for a digital business card.
This guide will compare two prominent options: the physical card solution from Mobilo and the entirely digital card from NFC Card.
Mobilo offers NFC-enabled business cards, which require an initial physical card.
On the other hand, NFC Card provides entirely digital business cards, eliminating the need for any physical component and making it more cost-effective and convenient.
In this article, we will delve into why a digital business card is generally a smarter choice compared to a physical one, and compare Mobilo with NFC Card to highlight the differences between physical and digital business card solutions.
You've likely heard of smart business cards. These are NFC business cards utilizing near-field communication (NFC) technology. For NFC business cards to work, they need to be on a physical medium (usually a PVC card). Your recipient needs to tap the NFC tag embedded in the card with their mobile device to view your business card details.
This means you must always carry your NFC business card to make sure you don’t miss any networking opportunities.
Conversely, digital business cards (or virtual business cards), created using a platform like NFC Card, are entirely virtual and do not require any physical medium.
As long as you have your mobile device, you can share your digital business card (in the form of an Apple/Google Wallet pass or a QR Code) with anyone.
Physical business card solutions generally limit card-sharing to face-to-face interactions. For example, you can only share an NFC card in person. Your recipients must physically tap the NFC card with their mobile device to access and save your information.
In contrast, NFC Card's digital business card solution enables you to share your card through various virtual methods, such as an Apple Wallet pass (or Google Wallet pass), QR Code, or URL, for immediate and contactless sharing.
Each physical business card you order must be produced and delivered, which can take up to 30 days, especially if your organization has complex procurement processes.
To avoid such delays, choose a digital business card solution. A specialized platform allows you to create digital business cards in minutes, with no need for additional apps.
This efficient creation process applies whether you're making a single virtual business card or generating them in bulk for your team.
Digital business card solutions are always more budget-friendly than physical ones. For instance, Mobilo's physical business cards cost $10 for a single custom-designed card ($19.50 for the Personal plan). This price only covers the NFC-enabled physical card and its associated content.
To access additional features like API integrations and lead data enrichment with Mobilo, you would need to pay an extra yearly fee of $10 for each feature, in addition to user licenses.
In contrast, NFC Card's digital business card solution costs $4-6 per user per month. Essential features, including lead collection, integrations, and card analytics, are included in the plan (depending on the selected option).
In the era of technology-driven networking, digital business cards are beginning to surpass traditional physical cards.
Comparing search trends for paper versus digital business cards reveals that digital cards have been nearly three times more popular in searches over the past two years. This significant shift in interest indicates that digital business cards are the future of networking.
