In today’s fast pace of business communication via the Internet, cellular mobile phone, iPads and other gadgets, the business card appears to be underrated as a business promotions vehicle. Not many use them anymore as it is much easier just to exchange phone numbers, and many of those who do, fail to give it its due importance. For instance, they are satisfied with a calling card design that looks like a thousand others, boring and generic. Or they cram it with too much information it looks like a politician’s billboard in miniature.

If you have a business, you must understand that a business card is reflective of your business and you as the businessman. Therefore it is important that you pay close attention to your card as this is the first means of contact between you and your potential client. Following are some suggestions on how to design your business call card.

Size and shape. Business cards are meant to go into the wallet as instant source of needed contact information. So the basic dimensions of 3.5” x 2” are usually followed. But remember likewise that the card’s intent is to make your potential customer remember you before anybody else. So you can make your card unique, like a different shape or outline. If you sell cars, a car-shaped card will immediately inform your client what you do, making you stand out from the pack.

Use the right paper stock. A cheap-looking card will not speak well of you and your business, as people will assume if you scrimp on your card, you would also do it in other aspects of doing business. So go for the best stock you can, but do not be gaudy or opulent. Also, if you meant to have the card’s back to be writeable, choose a matte finish rather than glossy.

Put your name –plus maybe your picture– and logo in the correct sizes. The logo connects to your business and your name is the contact person. Both should be prominent enough to be read at first glance. Your picture can help your client recall you personally.

Include your slogan and several means of contacting you. The slogan should be your business philosophy that clients can connect you for, while the phone numbers, website and email addresses will be useful for those who may want to contact you. Some businessmen also include the newer platforms such as LinkedIn and Facebook fan page.

Your slogan should communicate the business message, short and punchy, and unique enough to make it a memory hook for easy recall later. This can be done many ways, including punning, rhyming, playing with words, and alliteration. The objective is to make the tagline stick in the client’s mind for a very long time, so he will remember you when he needs service or business along your line.

Keep it simple. Many clients now scan call cards to have an electronic Rolodex of them at their fingertips, so a simple card with easily readable text will stand out head and shoulders above one crammed with small words. The challenge is how to make the card simple yet contain the necessary information you need to impart to your potential client, so you have to be ruthless in discarding extra info, condensing those that remained, and eschewing fancy, complicated graphics and fonts.

Your business card is your ‘toe in the door’, but it should be from ‘your best foot forward’. So make it good, memorable and simple. Otherwise, you might not even come near the door.

This article was posted by Ben who works for a Warwickshire based company Think Design and Print.