Business card designs. Any advice?

[MaxT]

I've just started in this business, and I'm looking to get maybe 100-200 business cards printed.

Before I go ahead, can anyone recommend the best design? Or does it even matter?

The options in my mind:

* A standard, boring card with simple logo, text that says computer repair, then name and contact details.

* A quirky, cartoony type card with an image of a wounded PC that needs fixing, and advertising myself as the friendly local repair guy.

* A slick, professional, glossy looking card with simple contact details.

* Any of the above with a little blurb, showing my services, or, saying something like "PC got you down? Call the PC doctor".

Or does it even matter?

Many thanks.

 

[FoolishTech]

* A slick, professional, glossy looking card with simple contact details.

That's my personal choice - on the heaviest card stock they have.

 

[MaxT]

That's my personal choice - on the heaviest card stock they have.

Thanks FoolishTech. I'll probably do that then. Is there a thanks or +1 button on this forum?

 

[FoolishTech]

Thanks FoolishTech. I'll probably do that then. Is there a thanks or +1 button on this forum?

Not that I think I need it for this post LOL but you can click the little scales in the top right of the post - hover over it with your mouse and it should say add +1 to so and so's reputation.

 

[MaxT]

The scales are on my posts but not yours. Maybe I don't have permission to do that yet.

Do you think it worth purchasing the Technibble business kit for the business card and letterhead design? I'm wondering if the marketing templates will also help get business off the ground.

 

[FoolishTech]

While I don't personally own it, I'd recommend it. If that makes any sense. A TON of people on here love it. Myself, I have most everything I need before I discovered the kit, but if I was just starting out I'd definitely get it.

 

[lsi]

i think the answer to this question might be better answered if we knew who your target market was. Quirky and cartoony might be good for residential customers but if you're chasing corporate contracts it prob wouldn't be a good idea and you would want something professional looking that might convey a sense of a larger, more stable company. My business cards don't have much by way of advertisements - just business logo, contact info, and professional glossy finish. I don't put any sort of title on them (owner, president, technician, engineer, etc.) but if you have a long string of certifications to put under your name (A+, N+, MCSA, MCSE, MCITP, XYZABC) customers think that's pretty impressive even if they have no idea what they mean.

 

[Rosco]

I've just started in this business, and I'm looking to get maybe 100-200 business cards printed.

Before I go ahead, can anyone recommend the best design? Or does it even matter?

The options in my mind:

* A standard, boring card with simple logo, text that says computer repair, then name and contact details.

* A quirky, cartoony type card with an image of a wounded PC that needs fixing, and advertising myself as the friendly local repair guy.

* A slick, professional, glossy looking card with simple contact details.

* Any of the above with a little blurb, showing my services, or, saying something like "PC got you down? Call the PC doctor".

Or does it even matter?

Many thanks.

business card are super important imo. without a good business card that has a good logo dont expect then to be any help.

100 or 200 cards. I would recommend 500 minimum. so you can pass them out freely. When i first started out i was passing about about 800 to 1000 a month. Even today almost 4 years in a handed out 10 or 20. Business cards are cheap for a reason. Pass then out. Hope this helps.

For printing i use overnightprints.com they are super cheap plus great quality never had a problem
and car magnets are only 5 or 6 bucks for one. Works really good.

 

[MaxT]

Well, just purchased the business kit last night. I figured the business card in that would be a proven template.

 

[MaxT]

i think the answer to this question might be better answered if we knew who your target market was. Quirky and cartoony might be good for residential customers but if you're chasing corporate contracts it prob wouldn't be a good idea and you would want something professional looking that might convey a sense of a larger, more stable company. My business cards don't have much by way of advertisements - just business logo, contact info, and professional glossy finish. I don't put any sort of title on them (owner, president, technician, engineer, etc.) but if you have a long string of certifications to put under your name (A+, N+, MCSA, MCSE, MCITP, XYZABC) customers think that's pretty impressive even if they have no idea what they mean.

I'll be going after residential customers I think, at least until experienced and confident enough to approach corporate clients.

I don't have any Certs as yet.

Is it a good idea to list services on the card or just keep it simple?

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Thicker stock
Not glossy, often people want to write on it.
Bullet your services on the back...but also have lines in between..that you can write notes on. It's very common to have a need to jot down additional "notes" when handing or receiving cards....so having cards that have space for this on the back is good.

Go through local vendors...don't use those cheap overseas place. You're a local business, right? Would you rather your clients use overseas tech support? No...you'd rather they use you, am I correct?

So practice what your preach. As a local business owner, keep your business local, use other businesses in your area. The karma returns....and it's a way of getting your business name known, and eventually....used.

We have very fancy business cards....great stock, great graphics, very good quality.....we used a local guy that spent a lot of time working back and forth with us until the "proofs" looked great, and then he sent them out to print. The price was comparable to many overseas "we don't give a darn about you" printing services....yet we kept our business local.

 

[rsarceno]

I hate people writing on my buinsess card. They are messing up the design AT least make the back side matte for notes

I assigned a unique Customer ID for each of my client then I hand wrote their ID on the back of the business card. The back of my card say 10% cash or discount for any referral using the #......

I have a client that I issue a check almost every month for $25 - $50. It works and help promote the business.

 

[Tony_Scarpelli]

I throw away cards by the thousands so try and figure out what to do to make the card have value to the average person.

First- use heavy card stock. I use a super glossy one that almost looks like plastic.

Second- pay extra for rounded corners it makes 200% differences.

Third- its not a brochure so just put your name possibly a short slogan....do not list all your services.

Fourth- I don't like using IT or Information Technology. what does that mean? If your clients are end users make it user friendly use Computer Repair/service or what have you.

All I say on my cards is :
Computer Fix-It
"your place or ours since 1994"

Then address and phone number and email and webpage.

If you really feel compelled to put more than that on it then print on both sides of the card at least with the services and products on the 2nd side.

 

[MaxT]

What about adding a QR code?

 

[Tony_Scarpelli]

What about adding a QR code?

I'm not sure I guess folks are starting to use them.

The more you put on the card the less anyone will read any of it.

Another Idea I saw that I liked, an attorney friend of mine in Coral Gables uses a 3" x 3" card so it is square and large and on a very heave almost parchment paper. Its only a card but you find yourself keeping it because it feels like something of quality....

My manager has a photography business so she went with the square quality card and she feels it is received very well by her contacts.

when I first went retail I used an online card that had a green motherboard as back ground it was very techy looking and I felt it instantly reflected my business. I used it for several years until I developed another image logo professionally with my marketing guru.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

What about adding a QR code?

I know its one of the latest "trends"...but I'm not biting on it.

IMO QR codes are useful for a very limited market. Example...my wife does real estate. She has a smart phone friendly site. People out looking around for houses..."out on the road"...see a house with flyers of hers, can click on the code with their smart phone and get to her website and MLS stuff to get more info. So it's worth using a little bit of space on her cards and other media for a QR code.

For us..in the computer tech world...I just don't see that type of looking up of our info by potential clients. If they need immediate info/help..it's usually very immediate and only can be satisfied by a live person...IE...phone call or e-mail.

 

[Tony_Scarpelli]

I'd prefer to stand out from the crowd if I were just starting out. The field is so crowded now.

How about some of these ideas:

A lego block with your info on the side (I saw this-not my idea) I love it.

A book mark for a card.

A stress ball.

A larger card that looks like a generic pack of ciggerets but with your info. you could put something cute in the warning section.

A card that looks like a pack of gum, or open Herseys bar of chocolate. Its a bit of a joke or tease but most people would not only keep but also show their friends so you get some mileage out of it.

I would not try and save money on a business card.

 

[MaxT]

Thanks for all your input.

I've taken a lot of advice from this thread.

I just ordered 100 cards, rounded corners, 350gm, using a design from the business kit. Simple text on front, contact details and list of services on back.

Yes, 100 probably isn't enough, but I want to see if it looks nice before going for 500.

Thanks again everyone!

 

[lsi]

pay extra for rounded corners it makes 200% differences.

I've never seen or noticed this option. how has it made a difference for you? do customers remark it was easy to recall and find your business card?

 

[mr m]

X2 on using heavy stock. Mine have raised printing. Expensive but worth it.

Don't skimp here. Do not go the cheap route and print them yourself or use one of those machines in the big box stores.

As to the vebage on the card go with your gut instinct. The computer field is unique in that respect. People don't seem to mind goofy excess. We have billion dollar businesses called Googe and Yahoo. Could you imagine putting your hard earned coin in a bank called Yahoo Savings and Loan? No way man, I want my dough in First National Trust!