Business cards - Are they relevant in 2025?

Jan 5

We live in a primarily digital world, yet one physical token remains top of mind for many business owners. The business card continues to serve as a rite of passage into true professionalism. But seriously, it’s 2025. Do you still need a business card?

We’d argue the answer is a classic “yes, but.” Yes, you need a business card, and they are still relevant, BUT designing and ordering your perfect business card isn’t at the top of any new business owner’s priority list.

When is the right time to get a business card?

We believe there are several things to prioritize when building your business before you spend the time and money on business cards. That short list of items includes:

Solidifying your brand: If you’re a brand new business that isn’t even sure what you’re doing, pause on the business cards until you have clarity. For example, if you haven’t yet created a logo, decided on your colors, or chosen a name, wait until those are finalized before you spend the money on business cards.
Registering your business as an official entity: Many businesses, ours included, choose to set up as a limited liability company (LLC). This is often the simplest business structure to create and is also a cost-effective way to legitimize your business. My business registration in South Carolina cost a whopping $145.50 back in 2020. That included filing my Articles of Organization with the state and getting certified documents and electronic records. If you’re not sure how to start your business from a legal standpoint, consult a business attorney for support.
Buying supplies to serve your customers or create your product: If you run a mobile dog grooming business, the first money you spend should go toward materials to actually groom dogs. That might include smaller items like shampoos and blow dryers and larger items like a car to get you to each customer’s home. The most important thing in the early days of business building is to serve your customers to the best of your ability, so every available dollar should go toward those means.
Creating a web presence using free and paid tools: A website is your internet address, and it’s critical that you get a site, however basic, up and running so that people who receive your business card have somewhere to go. Unless you plan to do business primarily via phone calls and email, we recommend prioritizing your website before your biz cards. You’ll also want to set up “free” online resources like Google Business Profile if you’re a business that qualifies.

Which type of business definitely needs business cards?

You’ll definitely want to print business cards if you:

Primarily work with older generations: Business cards might seem like a relic to Gen Z, but for Baby Boomers, Gen X, and even Millennials, no networking event is complete without the exchange of cards. If you’re an owner who works primarily with older generations, having a business card can make you appear more legitimate in their eyes.
Regularly attend in-person networking events: Do you exhibit at conferences, take part in trade shows, or otherwise go to in-person events at least once a month? If yes, a business card can be a great way to spread the word about what you do. We decided to get business cards once we started regularly attending events at the local Chamber of Commerce. Until that point, it just didn’t make sense.
Are the face of your brand: Real estate agents, financial planners, personal trainers, and others who offer one-on-one services might want to be the face of their brand and include it on their cards. A business card then becomes a natural extension of you and it’s an easy way to showcase your services, especially if you don’t have time to give prospects your elevator pitch.

What to include on a business card

There are several elements you’ll want to include on your business card, like:

Business name
Logo
Slogan (If relevant/helpful and space permitting)
Your name
Title
Phone
Email
Website/link tree (As a QR code or written)

You can also consider these additional elements if they make sense for your brand and what you want to achieve.

Social handles (If there’s space and it’s a primary channel you use to convert customers)
Headshot/picture

One key point is to ensure your business cards are evergreen. That means you can have them for years, and they’ll never be out of date. To ensure this happens, avoid putting any coupons or timebound promotions that you might not offer in the future. Instead, you can use a QR code that goes to a site like Linktree so you can promote exactly what you want, no matter when someone scans your card.

BBM Disclaimer: For the love of all that is, please, please, please proofread EVERYTHING on your business card. Ensure consistency in capitalization, typography, and colors. And don’t be afraid to ask for a second set of eyes before you send those cards to be printed!

Creating and printing your business cards

Many sites like Vistaprint or Canva make it stupidly simple to create a business card without a designer. Since business cards are used for information, focus on content over design. And as long as you have a sleek business logo, you’re likely to come out with a professional-looking card.

BBM Pro tip: Use Vistaprint for printing. I tried Canva and the print job was subpar at best.

If you haven’t been in a business card tool for a bit, there are a number of print options to choose from, like:

Rounded vs. square corners
Circle or oval vs. rectangular
Basic paper quality vs. higher quality papers with a thicker feel
Alternative materials like hemp or foil accents

Keep in mind that each of these specializations can come with an added cost.

How much does a good business card cost?

Depending on the platform you use, cards can run roughly ~$35-50 for 100 cards up to $80-90 for 1000. Higher quantities get a deeper discount.

If you’re a newer business or not sure if your brand might change in the near future, opt for the smaller quantity, then re-up to order more once you get more established and can comfortably estimate how many you’ll be giving out.

When to give out your business card

There are some pretty obvious times to hand out your card, namely when anyone asks you what you do! Be sure to take cards to networking events, anytime you’re meeting someone for the first time,

The business card is so nice to have right after you give someone your elevator pitch. It can take away some of the awkwardness of asking what happens next. It also makes sense to pass along a business card when you’re in a hurry or short on time but still want to pursue a connection with someone.

If you have access to a corkboard at your local coffee shop or desk space at your gym, consider dropping a few business cards at these high-traffic locations where your audience might be passing through.

Key takeaways:

The business card is still relevant in 2025, but be sure yours suits your brand identity.
Include key details on your business card, like your logo, name, and ways to contact you. Using a QR code to a linktree or your website can make it easier for people to understand where you to find you online.
Find opportunities to hand out your cards or leave them in high-traffic places where your target audience might be. We swear it gets less awkward every time you do it!