6 Business Card Alternatives To Consider in 2024

With more emphasis on sustainability, personalization, and creativity nowadays, it's no wonder business people are looking for new ways to stand out from the crowd while networking.

And although business cards remain the networking staple, it doesn’t mean you can’t explore new ways to leave a lasting impression on potential clients and partners.

So, if you are wondering what kind of business card alternatives are currently in, you’re in the right place.

In today’s article, we’ll show you innovative business card alternatives that will leave a lasting impression on your clients and leads. 

So let's dive in!

Top 6 Business Card Alternatives

Business card alternatives serve as promotional products because they don’t only provide your contact info but also represent a way to represent your business.

Furthermore, the best business card alternatives combine the visual aspect with functionality. 

1. Bottle Openers

Bottle openers are one of the most popular types of business cards, especially if they are magnetic, so they can be put on the fridge. 

In addition to adding practical value, they act as a constant reminder whenever we use them or see them on our fridge.

2. Keychains

Being the same size as business cards, keychains make for a functional business card. 

Your contacts can use them immediately and always be reminded of your business, which makes keychains an effective way to raise brand awareness.

3. Industry-Oriented Business Cards

You can definitely exploit your industry when it comes to business cards. What do we mean by that?

You can get creative and have business cards relevant to your products and services. 

For example, your business card can include hairpins if you are a hairdresser.

Or, if you are into sewing supplies, you can add them to your business card, too.

The options are limitless, and they depend on your creativity and industry.

4. USB Business Cards

Another functional and practical solution regarding business card alternatives comes in the form of USB business cards.

You can use the USB business card in two ways:

• The flash drive can contain your business info, company presentation, etc., or
• It can be empty and serve more as a promotional tool-every time your contact plugs it in, they will be reminded of you.

Personally, I think the latter option is better because your contact will use it more often for their personal and business needs, whereas they might only plug it in once to check your company info. 

So, the more they use it, the more they see your company’s logo.

5. Edible Business Cards

Yup, you’ve heard us right-edible business cards.

We can’t deny their level of creativity and the fact they are definitely original.

However, they might not be the best solution in the long run.

The main problem with edible business cards is that they get eaten. What a surprise, right? 

Therefore, a much better or more practical solution is incorporating your detail and info on the packaging, such as tea bags or chocolate wrappers.

And although these business cards have their limitations, they can be useful in the food and beverage industry because you are actually offering a sample of your services.

6. Riddle Business Cards

Business cards don’t have to be all formal and rigid.

On the contrary, if it fits into your brand image, you can add an element of gamification and fun to your business cards.

Enter puzzle business cards!

You can have a simple maze, wordsearch, or a mini puzzle to pique interest. 

However, don’t forget that you should keep it simple. Nobody is going to spend hours trying to crack your riddle.

The above 6 business card alternatives offer an out-of-the-box way of presenting yourself and your company or services to prospects.

However, although they are original and practical, they might not always be the best solution:

• They can get really expensive if you visit events often and distribute them in large numbers.
• They have a limited physical space to include all the relevant info.

So how to stand out at a networking event while staying on the budget and providing more info than fits a regular business card?

Say hello to digital business cards!

Why Should I Consider Digital Business Cards?

Digital business cards have revolutionized the way of networking:

🔥 They are cost-effective because you don’t have to reprint them but update them if necessary.

🔥 They enable you to store not only your contact info but all the relevant links to your social media accounts, websites, photos, etc.

🔥 They are easy to share and exchange and offer multiple sharing options such as tapping and scanning.

🔥 They can go beyond a “plain” business card and offer powerful analytics tools and CRM integrations.

And the good thing is that they also have creative business card alternatives, such as stickers, keychains, wristbands, etc.

3 Digital Business Card Alternatives

1. Stickers

Stickers are an innovative way to share your contact info without a hassle. 

Being small and handy, you can place them on any device to send your info to your new contact.

Many digital business card providers offer the sticker option, Tapni being one of them.

So, for example, Tapni offers 13 different color stickers and a customizable one, where you can include your logo or some other visual.

The only restriction is that the sticker doesn’t adhere nicely to leather or silicone. 

But if you use silicone mobile phone cases, you can place the sticker underneath the case, and problem solved.

Regarding sticker placement: 

• For Androids and iPhones, place the sticker on the bottom of your phone so it doesn’t set off your phone's reader constantly.
• For Galaxies/Notes, place the sticker at the top of your phone next to your camera.

Thus, you can connect with new prospects with a single tap wherever you go.

2. Keychains

Having keychains as business cards is a practical solution since we use them in everyday life: from apartment to office keys. 

So, what better reminder of you or your business than having keychains with your logo and contact info?

Moreover, you can include the QR code on the keychain and the NFC tag for seamless information sharing.

3. Wristbands

Wristbands acting as business cards have become increasingly popular. 

Not only do they allow you to share contact cards, websites, social media, etc., to smartphones with a tap, but they are also a nice accessory.

As you can see, with apps like Tapni, you can put your creativity to the test and raise a bar when it comes to digital business card options.

Why Should You Go for Tapni?

Besides creating digital card solutions, Tapni offers great features for teams and businesses that surpass a mere digital business card creation.

With Tapni, you can:

💣Understand networking activities better by using Tapni’s actionable tools. For example, you can measure ROI at events, reward top performers, etc.

💣Automate lead generation and automatically send new contacts to your CRM thanks to Tapni’s native integrations. 

This way, it is you who is in charge of making the next move instead of waiting for a new contact to reach out.

💣 Manage your team better with all the profiles in one central place.

On top of everything, sharing and exchanging your business card is hassle-free if you use Tapni.

You can scan a QR code on the card or within an app, or tap on the phone.

Pretty straightforward, right?

Try Tapni today so you can stand out from the crowd with its innovative ideas and solutions.

FAQ

1. What Percentage of Business Cards Gets Thrown Away?

Out of 27 million business cards printed on a daily basis, a staggering 88% end up in a trash can. This is one of the reasons why digital business cards have become immensely popular.

2. Are Digital Business Cards a Good Idea?

Yes, digital business cards are a good idea because they offer a convenient way to exchange contact information. They are easily updated and can store more info than traditional cards. Furthermore, they can come with robust features for teams and businesses.

3. What are The Disadvantages of Paper Business Cards?

Paper business cards can be easily lost or misplaced. Furthermore, they can also get wrinkled or damaged making them not as durable as other types of business cards. And if you need to update your info, you need to print new cards every time.