What to Include on Your Business Card

Phone Number

Always include: Your main business phone number - the one you (or your team) actually answer.

Format: Use a format that's easy to read and dial. We recommend: 0151 324 5556 rather than 01513245556

Email Address

Use a professional email: Ideally something like yourname@yourbusiness.co.uk

Avoid if possible:

• Free email providers (@hotmail.com, @gmail.com, @yahoo.co.uk) - they look less professional
• Complicated email addresses with numbers or underscores
• Generic info@ addresses if you're a sole trader or small business

Website URL

Keep it simple: Just the domain name, no "http://" or "www" unless necessary.

People will type it into Google anyway, so don't worry about the technical prefix.

Physical Address

Include it if:

• Customers visit your premises (shop, salon, office, workshop)
• You're a local business wanting to emphasize location
• Your address adds credibility (city center location, high street, etc.)

Leave it off if:

• You work from home and don't want clients visiting
• You're mobile/travel to customers
• You operate online-only

Format: Keep it short. Town/city and postcode are often enough:

Or just:

WhatsApp Number

Include a WhatsApp number (with the icon) if:

• You actively use WhatsApp for customer enquiries
• Your target customers prefer WhatsApp (trades, local services, younger demographics)
• You offer quick quotes or consultations via WhatsApp

Don't add it if you rarely check WhatsApp or prefer phone calls. Only list contact methods you actually use and respond to promptly.

What Should Your QR Code Link To?

Best options (pick ONE):

• Your website homepage - Simple and professional
• A dedicated landing page - Create a page specifically for card recipients with key info and CTAs
• A Linktree-style page - All your social media, booking, contact form in one place
• Your Google Business Profile - So people can see reviews and leave their own
• Online booking system - If you're a salon, therapist, tradesperson with online booking
• Digital portfolio - For photographers, designers, creatives

How to Create a QR Code

Free QR code generators:

• Canva QR Code Generator - Built into Canva (free), lets you create and customize QR codes directly in your design
• QR Code Generator (qr-code-generator.com) - Free, simple, reliable
• QRCode Monkey - Free with customization options (colors, logo)

QR Code Design Tips

• Make it big enough - At least 2cm x 2cm so phones can scan it easily
• High contrast works best - Black on white is most reliable
• Leave white space around it - Don't crowd the QR code with text or graphics
• Test it before printing - Scan your proof with multiple phones to make sure it works
• Add a simple label - "Scan for portfolio" or "Book online" tells people what they'll get

QR Code Best Practices

Do:

• Link to mobile-friendly pages (most people will scan with their phone)
• Use a short, clean URL (tidy.link or bit.ly if your real URL is long)
• Make sure the destination loads quickly
• Test the QR code before approving your design for print

Don't:

• Link to a PDF that needs downloading
• Use QR codes that expire or change (stick with permanent URLs)
• Make the QR code too small (it won't scan reliably)
• Add multiple QR codes (one is enough)

Only add social media if it genuinely helps customers find or contact you. Not every business needs social media on their business cards.

Should You Include Social Media?

YES, include it if:

• You're active on social media and post regularly
• Your business type benefits from visual content (food, beauty, design, creative work)
• Customers commonly find businesses like yours on social platforms
• You use social media for customer service or enquiries

NO, skip it if:

• You rarely post or your last post was months ago
• Your industry doesn't suit social media (B2B services, professional services)
• You prefer phone or email contact

How to Include Social Media

Option 1: Social icons with handles

Option 2: Just icons (no text)
People will search your business name on their preferred platform.

Option 3: Generic "Find us online"
With icon row showing which platforms you're on.

Which Platforms to Include

By business type:

• Visual businesses (food, beauty, design) → Instagram
• Local services (trades, salons, shops) → Facebook + Instagram
• B2B or professional → LinkedIn
• Creative/younger audience → Instagram + TikTok
• Community-focused → Facebook

Tagline or Service Line

A short, clear description of what you do. Especially useful if your business name doesn't make it obvious.

Examples:

Keep it short: One line, 3-6 words maximum. If you need a paragraph to explain what you do, that belongs on your website, not your business card.

Key Services

A short list of your main services can be helpful if you offer multiple things.

Rules:

• Maximum 3-5 services listed
• Use simple, clear terms (not jargon)
• Keep it to the back of the card if possible

Example for a plumber:

Opening Hours

Include if: You have fixed opening hours that customers need to know (shops, cafés, salons, offices).

Keep it simple:

Or even simpler:

Skip it if: Your hours vary, you work by appointment only, or you're available 24/7.

Qualifications & Accreditations

Include relevant professional qualifications or membership logos if they matter to your customers.

Examples where this works well:

• Gas Safe registered (plumbers, heating engineers)
• NICEIC approved (electricians)
• FSB member (any business)
• Professional body membership (lawyers, accountants, therapists)

Special Offers or Discount Codes

Adding a simple offer line can encourage people to use your card rather than just keeping it.

Examples:

Consider this if: You want to track how effective your business cards are, or you want to encourage immediate action.

Location Hints

If you're local and want to emphasize it, add a simple location reference:

Or use a small map icon with your area name. This works especially well for mobile or local service businesses.

Front of Card

Your front should be clean and focus on the absolute essentials:

• Name
• Job title
• Business name
• Logo
• Phone number
• Email
• Website (optional - can go on back)

Back of Card

Use the back for secondary information:

• QR code
• Social media icons
• Services list
• Address or location
• Opening hours
• Accreditation logos

Or keep it simple - many businesses leave the back blank or just repeat the logo. This gives space for people to write notes.

Readability is Everything

A beautiful business card that's hard to read is useless. Make sure:

• Text is large enough to read easily (minimum 8pt font, ideally 9-10pt)
• There's good contrast (dark text on light background, or vice versa)
• There's white space around text and elements
• The most important info (name, phone) stands out
• The design isn't too busy or cluttered