2024 Key Digital Business Card Statistics You Need to Know

Digital business card statistics for 2024 show that about 37% of small businesses and 23% of individuals are using digital business card apps to promote their brands. This only indicates that a sizable chunk of the population prefers going virtual.

If you own a brand or business, knowing about recent marketing trends, particularly digital business cards, is crucial to your success.

This compilation of key statistics and trends will help you navigate this growing market and learn how to create business cards with a more innovative touch using an advanced QR code generator with logo online.

Armed with this knowledge, you can promote your brand effectively using these digital tools.

What is a digital business card?

Also known as a smart business card or a vCard, a digital business card is a modern means of sharing your professional information. It is basically an electronic business card containing your name, company, position, and contact details.

Digital business cards let you add more information since they aren’t constricted by the dimensions of a physical card. These can include:

• a high-quality headshot
• services you offer
• a portfolio of your work
• all of your websites and social media handles
• a compelling CTA

This kind of business card can be shared in several ways.

One is by adding it as a signature at the end of your emails, another is through QR codes made with a QR code platform — suggesting the popularity of QR codes, backed up by several QR code statistics 2024 articles.

How big is the digital business card industry?

During COVID-19, the business world realized that it was time to move into the digital space. After all, the infrastructure already exists, and it comes with numerous benefits that will only increase productivity and efficiency.

For example, the benefits of QR codes to the marketing space led to their continuous use as a marketing tool.

This digitalization of businesses led to the boom of the digital business card market. From 2023 to 2024, the market size grew from USD 164.95 billion to USD 181.46 billion.

Top digital business card statistics you should know

Digital business cards are now a major aspect of businesses in the post-pandemic world. Here are seven latest trends to know:

The digital business card market is projected to be worth US$ 389.3 billion by 2032

The market size of the digital business card industry has already reached hundreds of billions of dollars.

It is expected to continue its upward trajectory at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 10.01% until it reaches US$ 389.3 billion by 2032.

Demand for digital business cards to grow at a rate of 9%

In 2020, 61% of respondents to a survey done by Statistics used physical business cards, while only 16% used digital ones.

However, this has changed since then, as the market demand for digital business cards has been on an upward trajectory. According to 360 Market Updates, the market had a valuation of US$331.5 million in 2023.

Additionally, demand is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9% between 2024 and 2032, meaning the market will reach US$611.1 million by the end of the evaluation period.

Spending on digital advertising to reach US$740.3 billion in 2024

Digital business cards and advertising go hand in hand. After all, a vCard is a marketing material you should use to promote yourself and your company.

According to digital advertising statistics from Statista, spending on digital advertisements is projected to reach US$740.3 billion in 2024. Most of this spending will be generated in the United States alone (US$298 billion).

North America has the largest share of the digital business card market

While the whole world uses digital business cards, North America holds a large portion of the market share with over 30%. According to statistics, 3 of the top 10 countries in SourceWeb’s database are from the region, namely the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

According to a market research report by Fortune Business Insights, this is due to digitization that is sweeping businesses in the region.

The popularity of smartphones and other mobile devices in North America also means that digital business cards are the preferred means of exchanging information.

The next two regions with the largest share in the market are Europe and Asia-Pacific. Both have 25% of the total revenue share also due to the shift towards digital spaces.

The last two regions in the report, South America, the Middle East, and Africa, each have 10% of the market share.

Over 8 billion printed business cards are thrown out

On average, less than 10 billion business cards are printed annually, but about 88% of printed business cards are thrown out. According to Marcos Isaias, 63% of people reasoned that the services promoted by the business card weren’t needed at the moment.

Environment impact of using a digital business card statistics

Printing business cards requires cardstock, which is made of paper. With over 10 million hectares of forests being cut down every year from 2010 to 2020, traditional business cards just aren’t sustainable.

The virtual nature of digital business cards means using them reduces the waste created by the use and disposal of printed cards.

Factors that are pushing digital business card adoption

Switching from traditional business cards to digital ones is still taking time. However, digital business cards are expected to completely replace printed ones in the future. The factors that are driving this change are the following:

• Convenience (45%)
• Sustainability (20%)
• Security (15%)
• Personalization (10%)
• Cost-effectiveness (10%)

Convenience is the primary factor behind the switch to digital business cards as people want faster and easier ways of exchanging information.

These factors explain why the answer to “Are digital business cards popular?” is a resounding yes.

Challenges hindering digital business card market growth

Despite the many advantages of digital business cards, there are still obstacles in the way of their full adoption. These are:

• Upfront costs
• Limited international payment options
• Issues with data storage and privacy
• Policy fluctuations
• Lack of awareness of digital business cards
• Absence of standardization in digital business card formats

Are digital business cards effective?

The answer: Yes.

Digital business cards are an effective way of connecting with your peers and customers. This is thanks to the easy and convenient ways of sharing them with others, from email signatures to QR codes.

Thanks to their electronic nature, they are also easy to access and store. If you share your card via a URL address, all others need to do is click on the link.

Much more if you’re using QR codes for business cards to build your network. People simply need to scan the code, and they have all the information they need. QR codes also allow you to track the number of times people scanned your vCard.

Because they don’t need to be printed again and again, smart business cards are very cost-effective. This notable feature also makes them environment-friendly.

Are digital business cards popular?

Based on the recent QR code trend, the popularity of digital business cards is on the rise and will continue to do so for the next decade.

Digital business cards make exchanging information very convenient for both parties. No one has to worry about where they placed a physical card as the information can always be found on their smartphones.

Another factor contributing to the shift towards digital business cards is reducing damage to the environment. Businesses worldwide, especially tech companies like IBM, are participating in environmental sustainability efforts.

How to make a digital business card QR code with the best QR code generator

QR codes are an effective and convenient way to give others your digital business card. Whether you attach it to online marketing materials or show others the code yourself, one scan is all that stands between you and a new connection.

Making your vCard QR code is as easy as 1–2–3. To help you, we offer you the best QR code software online!

But before using our platform, you may be asking, “How much do digital business cards cost?”. Fortunately, we offer a Freemium plan that lets you generate three dynamic QR codes!

To generate one, follow these steps:

1. Open QR TIGER on your browser.

2. Choose the vCard QR code solution, which is one of over 16 QR code types that you can generate.

3. Select one design template from the five options available.

4. Provide the necessary information, such as your name, company name, position, address, and contact details.

4. Click the Generate dynamic QR code button.

5. Customize the eyes, colors, and patterns of your QR code. You can also add your company logo and a call to action by choosing a frame.

6. Use your smartphone to perform a quick scan test to see if your QR code works.

7. Download your QR code in PNG or SVG format.

Your QR code is now ready. You can share your digital business card with anyone, anywhere!

How much do digital business cards cost?

With QR code statistics dictating the growing popularity of the technology, it makes sense to hop on the trend to keep up with your peers. That’s why when it comes to creating digital business cards or vCard QR codes, we’ve got you covered.

For individuals, pricing plans range from $7 to $37 a month, while businesses can avail of a plan from $16 to $89 a month, depending on which features you wish to have.

These can include:

• Bulk generation of vCards (up to 3,000 QR codes in a single file upload!)
• Tracking scans and other analytics
• No limits on scans and downloads
• QR code editing
• Retargeting

vCard QR codes are one of the dynamic QR code types. Above are their exclusive features that you cannot enjoy when using a free QR code generator online.

Create QR-coded digital business cards with QR TIGER QR Code Generator

Digital business cards are the future of promotions and marketing. In fact, it’s already close to being the standard today.

The digital business card statistics above say it all.

So, what are you waiting for? Create your virtual business card with the best and most dynamic QR code platform today to enhance your networking and marketing game.

Frequently asked questions

How are digital business cards made?

Digital business cards can be generally made using graphic design tools or software applications available online. For example, you can design your digital business cards in Canva or Adobe, among others.

You have the freedom to design your card in a way that highlights your brand. It can look similar to the traditional business cards of yesteryear or be made more modern by adding links to your websites and social media.

What is the success rate of business cards?

According to Adobe, every 2000 business cards that get distributed leads to a 2.5% increase in sales.

How useful are business cards?

Business cards are useful means of giving people key business information. Instead of having others look you up on the internet for your contact details or company, all of the information they need is in one place.