What to put on a business card—and what to leave out

Start with the information that identifies you

Use the name people know you by, your role or specialty, and your business name where it adds context. A concise title is easier to remember than a list of responsibilities. If you work independently, a short description such as “Brand designer” may explain your work better than a formal internal title.

A logo can help someone recognize a business, while a photo can help them recognize a person. Choose the one that matters most for this card. A Social card can suit a photo and a brief introduction; a more traditional layout can give a business identity greater emphasis.

Choose a primary way to get in touch

Include an email address, phone number or relevant website that you actually maintain. You may want to offer more than one route, but make the preferred route obvious. Use a direct portfolio or business page instead of sending everyone to a generic social feed.

Check the spelling of addresses and the destination of each link. A number printed on a card may still be readable when it cannot be used as a phone link, but the recipient will have to type it. Valid contact details make the digital card more convenient.

Add context only when it helps the recipient

These are starting points, not required templates. A card for a networking event may need different emphasis from a card used with existing clients. Keep each card focused on its intended audience.

• Freelancer: name, specialty, portfolio and project email.
• Local business: business name, your role, public business contact and website.
• Consultant: name, field of work and the most direct professional contact route.
• Creator: photo or recognizable identity, a short bio and a few relevant public profiles.

Keep private information private

Do not put passwords, account identifiers, private meeting links or confidential client details on a business card. Think before publishing a personal phone number or a home address. Published card links can be forwarded beyond the people you originally share them with.

MyEliteCard cards start private. Before publishing, review every field and uploaded image. Unpublishing can stop future access through the service, but it cannot recall screenshots, downloads or printed copies that recipients already made.

Adapt the details for digital and physical formats

A digital card can provide clickable links and a contact download, and its page can be updated later. A physical card has less space and fixed printed information. For a printed card, prioritize stable details and consider a QR code leading to the fuller digital page.

A QR code should have a clear purpose and a readable destination alongside it where space allows. Test it at the finished size. If you include both a long web address and several social handles, consider whether one well-organized digital card link would be clearer.

Do one final recipient check

Read the card on a phone, open it while signed out and try the main contact action. Ask whether someone who has just met you can tell who you are, what you do and how to follow up. Remove anything that makes those three answers harder to find.