Business cards are a traditional yet effective tool used to provide the contact details of a person to possible customers or prospective partners. The importance of business cards has been recognised by most companies, and they provide business cards to all their employees. Even though business cards have always been important, their use and value has increased in this age where sophisticated marketing is in vouge.

Business cards are not just logos and names printed on a piece of paper. They are your contact point with people, both inside and outside the company. Today, many companies consider business cards an effective marketing tool, which not only communicates a person's contact details but also reflects the type of company the person is working in. A glossy card normally reflects that the company in which the person is working values individualism and creativity. On the other hand, a simple traditional-looking card shows that people in the company work in a conservative environment. It is therefore important that your business card should reflect the type of company that you work for. In business, the first impression is made when a business card is given.

With the current credit crunch, ensure you have quality business cards - one which is glossy, made of hard paper and has good quality of printing, preferably colour printed. To get good quality business cards you need to sit with a graphic artist so you can create a card which can be distinguished from millions of other cards. Traditional companies, in an attempt to reduce the cost of cards, will give the responsibility of getting the cards printed to the purchasing department. This department, in an attempt to reduce costs, will try to come out with cards at the minimal possible price. In this period of economic slow down and credit crunch, a substandard card could set a bad impression of the company. Therefore it is advisable to give the responsibility of getting the cards printed to the marketing department. People in the marketing department will come out with cards that reflect the company's mission and outlook.

Business cards are your first point of contact with potential customers. Today in most fairs and trade shows people prefer giving their business cards to potential customers visiting their stalls. This helps with better networking, as business cards are easier to keep when compared to pamphlets and brochures. It is common knowledge that when people browse through the cards that they have, they tend to select the card that has a nicer look. People usually associate nicer cards with a company that can spend money. Companies that can spend money are those that have a stable and prosperous business. In fact if the company does not have finances to spend on low ticket items, how can they afford to purchase items of higher value, or run their business?

In today's competitive world, it is important that you have a quality business card. Imagine losing even a single client because you did not spend money on getting a good quality card. A good quality business card is not ‘expenditure' but an ‘investment' that you make for the growth of the company. A business card is similar to a lottery - the more you give the better are the chances of winning a customer.