Need Business Card Critique (Round 2!)

[GlitchGuards]

Ok, so after taking a hit from you guys on my previous design (thank you btw, I like this design better ) I'm back and ready for another round. That said, I have a couple of specific questions this time:

1) After reading the previous criticism I decided to kill off the coupon ads on the back but now have nothing to put on top of those chips that say "Call us today" and "We'll come to you". Do you think what I have is fine? If not please suggest something else.

2) Whats your general feeling on the background color?

Any other opinions are greatly appreciated. As my re-design should show, I'm all ears when it comes to criticism and will do my best to improve.

-Note-
It was asked last post if I'd considered using landscape instead of portrait design. Yes, but I chose portrait because my aim for this is to give off more of an, "I'm different, check us out" kinda vibe so we can compete more fiercely with already established local businesses including some big boxes.

Also, please dont call the number just yet. Still working on the finer points of it as we speak Currently all I have is the hold music.

 

[Martyn]

I'm a bit old fashioned but really the point I want to address is historically business cards were always a personal thing. I've never yet seen a business card that didn't have the persons name on! Usually you would have also a mobile number and personal email address. It is a personal thing(well it used to be) and you handed the person your card at reception, meeting etc. In fact I still do, when someone opens the door to me I hand them my card and introduce myself, just plain old professionalism. As I say I'm an old fogie so listen to the masses.

 

[GlitchGuards]

I'm a bit old fashioned but really the point I want to address is historically business cards were always a personal thing. I've never yet seen a business card that didn't have the persons name on! Usually you would have also a mobile number and personal email address. It is a personal thing(well it used to be) and you handed the person your card at reception, meeting etc. In fact I still do, when someone opens the door to me I hand them my card and introduce myself, just plain old professionalism. As I say I'm an old fogie so listen to the masses.

I actually addressed this originally in the "notes" but took it out because I thought no one would care lol. The reason I opted out of putting a name or any type of personal tag on the card is because 8 out of 10 times I wont be the one handing it to the customer. I guess I could put my credentials on the back and specify the owner title, but would that really be necessary considering?

 

[Martyn]

The way it has always been is you have your name, email, your mobile and maybe position within the company. Also you could have the main phone number, website and any other details. On the reverse of my card I have 2 rows of bullet points of what I do.

When I started out I didn't have anything on the reverse because as I said you handed out the card usually with some dialogue. Later on a couple of shops took one of my stands with cards on the so I didn't interact with the holder at all hence the reverse side of what I do.

 

[4ycr]

I am with Martin on this, all the business card I have, display names and personal contact details.

It makes it easier when trying to remember someone and less awkward as I know the name rather than trying to guess it.

 

[GlitchGuards]

Well there it is then. I'll try and squeeze at least my name and title on the card. But as far as everything else is concerned do you guys think its good?

 

[Markverhyden]

Did you design the card? If so, kudo's. Very interesting and eye catching in my opinion.

I agree with the others. You need a/your name on the card. One of my prior iterations of a b-card I intentionally left my name off. Net result is I got few phone calls.

As far as back ground color. I've commented before about full color cards. I've always, going on 30 years now, been a big believer in having space on the card for someone write something if needed. That dark green will probably not work. Some others on here have used lighter shades like grey or beige if I remember correctly. Mine are white.

 

[Martyn]

I agree about somewhere to make a note. My cards are white and they say have plenty of white space in your card design.

 

[Rocco]

Every business card I get, I write notes on them. Where we met, general thoughts on if they seem competent, etc. They then get inputted in my computer. Every time I "use" the business card, and I learn more about the person, I update my info. I try to review what I know before I call or visit with them. I am horrible at names, so my method works for me. Actually, although everyone I know says I am a very nice person, I really suck at anything that can help build a relationship, small talk especially. Those cards I do not write on will guarantee to never be called. Your card would go in that last pile. It looks cool, but function is not so great, at least for me. IMO, keep the background on the front, remove it on the back.

I also agree with adding your name. If you don't think it will be you handing them out, then get more made for your employees with their names. A business card is an introduction of the person. Create flyers for your business if that is all you care to be introducing.

 

[DataMedics]

I have to agree about adding your name to it. Also you might think about putting a QR code on the chip on one side or the other.

People still have fun playing around with those.
https://www.the-qrcode-generator.com/

 

[cypress]

The design looks good, but I feel like it has a little too much going on.

 

[Rocco]

I have to agree about adding your name to it. Also you might think about putting a QR code on the chip on one side or the other.

People still have fun playing around with those.
https://www.the-qrcode-generator.com/

Who does? How many on here use it? And we are considered tech savvy, and I hate to stereotype, but we enjoy doing what we do. It is a dead, short lived idea. Those who know what it is, don't bother taking the time to pull out their phone, either download a app that can read it, or use the app.

IMO, this card has enough going on, and does not need more.

 

[Mercenary Roadie]

After your last post I tried to find a great article on LinkedIn about what you should do with your business cards. I do remember a couple of don'ts and do's.

Don't make both sides of the card glossy, people will need and want to write on it. If you must have glossy, on make the front glossy.

Don't put anything on the back, leave it a flat white so people can write notes on it.

Don't go cheap on the paper stock. The free VistaPrint card stock is a bad choice

Do stick with the standard size card. Different sizes or shapes will make your card stand out, but in a bad way as it won't fit into any card holders or files systems and most important, it will just get tossed at the first chance.

Don't drown out the message you're trying to make with the card. Basicly who you are, what your company name is and how to contact you.



The thing with your cards is once you hand them out, you as a person are forgotten and soon so will your business. People like to associate people with a company, your card is depriving them of that association.

 

[Mercenary Roadie]

Who does? How many on here use it? And we are considered tech savvy, and I hate to stereotype, but we enjoy doing what we do. It is a dead, short lived idea. Those who know what it is, don't bother taking the time to pull out their phone, either download a app that can read it, or use the app.

IMO, this card has enough going on, and does not need more.

I would agree, nothing funnier than seeing a QR code on someones vehicle, like they think another driver is going to scan it while driving 65 MPH down the freeway.

 

[jmatt]

Any other opinions are greatly appreciated.

I don't know you or whatever other marketing techniques you're using, so take this for what it's worth: Don't count on a great business card to bring you business. It won't.

To the recipient, it's a scrap of paper with your contact information. Now of course, good design is better than bad design, but don't delude yourself into believing it will make all that much difference.

You have to generate a reason they would want to call you. And again, no disrespect intended. But you'll need way more than a business card.

I'm not a designer or anything, but dump some of the graphics and text and and come up with one 8 word or less tag line that embodies all those ideas.

 

[GlitchGuards]

Ok, so I've been reading through the replies and re-designed the card best as I can. I think its pretty good now and will be sending it off this morning for print.

@markverhyden- Thank you, I did design it

I've followed everyone's advice and removed the bottom chip on the back to allow for more "white space" and reduce clutter. I've also printed numerous demos of the card itself and attempted to write on the blank space to ensure it would be legible. Luckily you guys said something, because the first few prints were actually much darker than on screen and there was no way they'd be able to use it.

I also made a special point to add my name onto the front with my title. The reason I was so careful about doing this is because as stated before I wont be the only one handing these things out, and in some cases the customer may not ever meet me in person or talk to me on the phone. Reason being is because they will be distributed to other cities I don't work in and in 1 case, another state. I had thought about investing in cards for each employee as Rocco stated, but the printer wouldn't split orders and shipping would add up pretty quick, especially since I'm no longer pumping funds into the company.

@Mercenary Roadie- I never thought having completely different sides to a card looked good, but that's just my opinion. All the other points, they're already taken care of BTW EVERYONE, while researching card printers I stumbled upon a fact that made me turn from VistaPrint as my initial choice (was gonna get the Spot Gloss cards). Apparently they're based in NZ or someplace and over there the standard card size is smaller than those in the U.S. I actually tested this with some cards my grandmother has for her business against some of the cards from my other business and it checks out. VistaPrint cards are about 1/2 cm smaller on all sides.

@jmatt- No disrespect taken mate. In my other business we specialize in whats known as Guerrilla Marketing and have been practicing that alongside most standard marketing procedures for about 3 years now, so heres hoping the basics carry over industries . With this one I'm also going to be focusing on a lot of WOM marketing through established partners picked up over the years that have agreed to hand out our cards to their customers in an effort to add credibility early on and compete more efficiently.

Thanks again for all the fantastic help everyone, I feel a lot better about the card now.