01A short definition
A digital business card is the online version of a printed business card. Instead of a piece of cardboard, your details live on a mobile-friendly web page with its own address. You share that page by tapping an NFC card on a phone, by showing a QR code or by sending the link.
Because the page is online, it is never out of date. When your phone number, title or company changes, you edit the page once and everyone who has your card sees the new version. The person receiving it does not need an app: the card opens in the phone's browser.
You may also see it called an electronic business card, e-business card, smart business card, virtual business card or online business card. They all describe the same idea.
02How does a digital business card work?
Every OSSDOY card has a short, unique address. The three ways of sharing all lead to that address:
- NFC: a chip inside the physical card stores the address. Hold the card near a phone and the card page opens. The card has no battery and never needs charging.
- QR code: the phone camera reads the code on your card, in your e-mail signature or on a stand on your desk, and opens the same page.
- Link: send the address by WhatsApp, e-mail or social media, or add it to your Instagram and LinkedIn profiles.
Whichever way it is opened, the visitor sees the same up-to-date card and can save you to their contacts with one tap.
03What can a digital business card include?
A paper card has room for a name, a title and a phone number. A digital card has room for everything people need to reach you or work with you:
- Profile and logo: Your photo, company logo, name and title at the top of the card.
- Phone and WhatsApp: Several numbers, each with its own label.
- E-mail and address: Up to two e-mail addresses and two addresses.
- Social media links: Instagram, LinkedIn, marketplaces and more, chosen from a ready list.
- Bank accounts: IBAN, account holder, currency and SWIFT code.
- Invoice details: Individual or corporate billing information, ready to share.
- Video: Embed a YouTube video on your card page.
- Add to contacts: Visitors save your details to their phone in one step.
04Paper business card vs digital business card
The main difference is that a digital card is not tied to print. Here is how the two compare in everyday use:
| Topic | Paper business card | Digital business card |
|---|---|---|
| Changing your details | Every card is reprinted | Edit in the panel, live at once |
| Sharing | Handed over, often lost | Tap with NFC or scan the QR code |
| Saving to contacts | Typed in by hand | One tap: Add to contacts |
| Bank and invoice details | Rarely fit on the card | IBAN and billing details ready to copy |
| Social media and links | No room for them | All your accounts on one page |
| Analytics | None | Views and link taps |
| Environment | Printed again and again | One card, used for years |
Many people keep a few paper cards for formal occasions and use the digital card for everything else. An NFC card combines both: it is a physical card you can hand over, and it opens your digital card when tapped.
05Who uses a digital business card?
Anyone who meets new people for work. Some typical examples:
- Sales and real estate: listings, WhatsApp and location on one page, shared at the first meeting.
- Doctors, clinics and consultants: phone, address and directions for patients and clients.
- Lawyers and accountants: office details, invoice information and IBAN ready to share.
- Fairs and events: no box of cards to carry. Tap, let them scan and move on.
- Companies: the same design and company details on every employee's card, managed from one panel. See corporate digital business card.
06Benefits of a digital business card
Switching from paper to a digital business card brings five practical advantages:
- Always up to date: change your details once and every card you have handed out shows the new version.
- Saved in one tap: the Add to contacts button writes your details straight into the other person's phone, so nothing is mistyped.
- More than contact details: social media, website, bank accounts, invoice details and a video on the same page.
- Measurable: see how many times your card was opened and which links were tapped.
- Less waste: one card used for years instead of boxes of reprinted cardboard.
07How much does a digital business card cost?
OSSDOY offers two products: a virtual business card that you share by QR code and link, and a specially designed NFC card that includes everything in the virtual card. Current prices are on the pricing page. For teams we prepare a separate corporate offer.
08How to get started
Creating your card takes a few minutes: register, add your card, fill in your details and share. The step-by-step guide walks you through each step.