Using QR Codes for Business Cards and Other Awesome Business Examples

QR Codes for business cards have become one of the most exciting ways to display a digital business card as they provide extra space, more customization, and appealing graphics. This is just one of the many uses of QR codes for business, providing a multitude of industries with endless advantages.

How does a QR Code work?

A QR Code is composed of pixelated dots that are customized to hold both horizontally and vertically displayed information. It uses a square shape and was developed in order to convey various types of information quickly. Smartphones have enabled QR Code counts to have a massive amount of uses across many industries. Typical industries include marketing, product packaging, and logistics, though they also have advantages for personal use. 

What is a QR Code made of?

A few basic elements make up a QR Code, including sections that determine how the Code should be read, what version it is, formatting details, and error tolerance. Using seven different design elements in total, a QR Code can quickly be read and convey mass amounts of information for users.

Use it with a scanning app

Due to smartphones, it’s super easy to use QR Codes because of scanning apps. Smartphones have many options for free QR Code scanning apps. Even the iPhone has now been designed to scan QR Codes directly with its camera. Whether you use your iPhone camera or a scanning app, a touch of a button now makes it possible to scan QR Codes no matter the location.

How to make QR Codes for business cards

A great way to make QR Codes for business cards is by using a vCard Plus QR Code, which is a digital version of a business card. The benefit though is that it holds even more information than a traditional business card because you don’t have a space limitation. Here are a few of the elements that you can include when making QR Codes for business cards.

Provide contact details and location

Every business card needs the essentials of your full name, phone number, email address, and title. But with a vCard Plus QR Code, now you can also include your office information on a map. This is especially useful if bringing more foot traffic through networking efforts is one of your goals.

Use a description

In many cases, a traditional business card doesn’t have space to include a description. If you’re looking to find a job, networking with specific business partners, or find clients, you can add a description of what your goal is with each person. Then even after you’ve finished meeting, the person remembers why you’ve given your business card.

Add an image

It can also be tricky to include a photo on a business card due to space limitations. Now no matter what information you need on the business card, there is also space for a photo.

Display your logo on a loading page

It’s a good idea to include your logo on your business card, but vCard Plus QR Codes give you the opportunity to go a step further. These QR Codes make it possible to even display logos while your page is loading, or another image you find useful.

Include social media links

Connecting on social media is especially important for business owners. Make it easy to find you on LinkedIn or give the opportunity to follow your page on Facebook. This makes it so people can access this information easier, as well as have the opportunity to share it.

Some tips for QR Code business card designs

Anyone using QR Codes should take note that their design matches what they want to convey with that QR Code. Adhering to these graphic design tips will help you to ensure you have a pleasing design to look at for those who view it.

Add a tinge of color

While the design of the material you’re adding the QR Code to has color, so too should your QR Code. They don’t just need to be black and white for a scanner to read them, so you can play with the look and feel the colors provide. This makes it more possible for the QR Code to stand out among other designs so that viewers can find it easier. Instead of having the QR Code detract from your design, stylize the edges, combine colors and even add your logo.

Make your typography unique

It’s important that the text content and font of your business card match with the overall design. Make sure they are large enough to read and the font is easy to understand. The graphics for the overall design, the text and the QR Code itself should all be combined in a balanced format.

Keep things simple

Traditional business cards can easily become crowded with information. Using a vCard Plus QR Code helps to add all the necessary information, but also showcasing it in a simplified manner. In addition, the fact that you have a QR Code on your business card is also unique and helps you to stand out from the crowd.

Always use a Call to Action (CTA)

The majority of marketing material includes a CTA and a business card is no exception. Especially because the vCard Plus QR Code provides the opportunity to use a description, take advantage of this and explain what you’d like viewers of this business card to do with it. This increases the chance of gaining leads or finding partners to work with.

Types of QR Codes that help businesses

While digital business cards are a helpful business asset, there are even further uses for QR Codes in business contexts. Here are some examples based on their type.  

Business QR Codes

A great example of when to use a Business QR Code is when you need to send more information about your business. You can create unique Codes for different types of business audiences and include specific information that’s relevant for them, such as what types of services you can offer them.

Increase social media engagement

An easy way to gain more traction on social media is by adding Social Media QR Codes to different display areas and on print marketing materials. Add them to an office door next to the opening hours, or on materials for a booth at a conference.

Showcase collections and projects

Say you are a company that works on many different types of projects for clients. You can easily showcase image collections, videos, sound, and more so potential customers get a taste of what you can do for them. This functions well to showcase portfolios in an easily viewable manner, even when a customer is at a distance or they’re interested in more information, but it’s outside your office hours.

Further examples of QR Codes for business

QR Codes have far more benefits than just to connect users with products (though that’s awesome too!). They definitely add a lot to any business’ marketing campaign, but they can also be used within businesses to help internal processes function more efficiently. This could mean, for example, keeping track of products or for employee usage.

QR Codes usage as identity badges

As one of the world’s heaviest users of QR Code, China continues to find clever ways to use QR Codes. For example, QR Codes are being used in China as identity badges. China has made the concept of self-service retail stores increasingly popular. This involved scanning the QR Code when you enter the store, linking your account to your shopping trip. Then after you leave the store, the items are charged automatically. Overall, a similar process could be used for any identifying system, even for employees to clock in and out of work.

LinkedIn profile sharing with QR Codes 

For many businesspeople, increasing their network on their LinkedIn account is a major priority to achieve career success. LinkedIn provides each profile with an individual QR Code, making it so the user is brought directly to the new account instead of having to search for it. This is particularly useful in a networking setting where you are meeting a lot of people in a short amount of time. Rather than having to go and search for everyone later, you can connect instantly.