Best Practices 1 – 5

Keep your design consistent with your client's existing branding. Nothing is more confusing to a consumer than to see a mishmash of visual messaging. Design a card that uses the design elements, colors and fonts consistent with the overall branding on

your client's web site or printed materials.

Your client only gets one chance to make a great first impression, so their digital card needs to "Wow" those who load and view it. Your clients are business professionals and as such should present themselves in a professional manner. They should not skimp when it comes to their image(s). Encourage them to spend the $150 or so and get a professional headshot done. If you have a good relationship with a local photographer, perhaps set up a special referral pricing arrangement with them for anyone you send their way. Do everything you can to make your client understand that cellphone "portraits/selfies" will be detrimental to their professional image and first impression. 

Cute does not cut it here.

DESIGN TIP:  Place the image of your client so they are facing/looking into the page. So if their left shoulder is closer to the camera lens then the right shoulder, place the image on the right side of your card (so he/she is facing inward).

Guide your client's to only list their most important contact information. If they primarily use their cell phone for business and rarely are at the office, don’t list the office number on their card. That goes for their fax numbers and additional email addresses as well. You have a limited amount of "real estate" on their card, so make the best use of it by listing only the BEST way(s) to contact them.

Keeping the card clean and simple is important. Clutter confuses people and turns them off. Make sure the cards you design are clean and visually appealing. As mentioned in number 1 above, use your client's branding elements, however use them to accent the card design and not overwhelm the viewer whenever possible. 

DESIGN TIP:  Try not to use a font size any smaller than 40 pt. Especially where you have to place a lot of copy.  

Guide your client's to present their value proposition in the lower third of their card. Don’t let them “throw up” here! Remember this is a micro-site that should only be a screen or two long. Keep their messaging to benefit copy for the most part. Tell the consumer What’s In It For Them - WIFM. Don’t let them spout off how great they are and “throw up” on them. Be sure the copy is about how your client's prospects can benefit from working with them. Bullet points are great for quick messaging. Encourage use of the words “you and your” and not “me, I or my”.  The viewer of a card should be able to tell what the cardholder does, how they are different from others in their field and what is the best way to contact them.  A good card does all these things on the first screen.