Selling custom business cards online can be a profitable business, especially in today’s digital-first world where professionals and entrepreneurs still seek personalized, high-quality paper products for networking. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to start selling custom business cards online:
1. Choose a Business Model
There are several ways you can sell custom business cards online, each with its own pros and cons:
- Print-on-Demand (POD) Service: Partner with a print-on-demand service (like Printful, Printify, or Gooten) that handles printing and shipping for you. You design the cards, list them on your store, and when a customer places an order, the POD provider prints and ships the cards directly.
- In-House Printing: If you have the equipment (like a high-quality printer, cutting tools, and design software), you could print the cards yourself. This gives you more control over quality, but you’ll need to handle production, storage, and shipping yourself.
- Dropshipping: Similar to POD but with a focus on working with specialized business card printers that will fulfill orders for you when they’re placed.
2. Create an Online Store
You’ll need an online platform to sell your custom business cards. Here are the best options:
- Ordefy: A popular e-commerce platform with tons of customizable templates. This software can integrate with print-on-demand services like Printful, allowing you to sell and print business cards automatically.
- Etsy: Ideal if you’re offering unique, handcrafted, or high-end business cards. Etsy attracts buyers looking for personalized and creative products.
- Big Cartel: A simpler, more affordable e-commerce platform for small businesses and creatives.
- Wix or Squarespace: These website builders allow you to create an e-commerce store without much technical expertise.
If you choose a print-on-demand model, make sure to integrate with platforms like Printful or Printify to automatically fulfill orders.
3. Design Custom Business Cards
You’ll need to offer a range of custom designs that appeal to different audiences. Here’s how to go about it:
a) Pre-made Templates:
You can offer several pre-made business card templates for various industries. Some popular categories could include:
- Corporate business cards for professionals (lawyers, doctors, consultants).
- Creative business cards for designers, artists, and other creative professionals.
- Personalized cards for small business owners, freelancers, or entrepreneurs.
You can create these templates yourself using design tools like Canva, Adobe Illustrator, or Figma, or you can hire a graphic designer to create them for you.
b) Customization Options:
Allow your customers to personalize their business cards by choosing different:
- Fonts
- Colors
- Logos (they can upload their own)
- Card shapes (traditional rectangular, square, rounded corners)
- Special finishes (matte, glossy, foil stamping, embossing, etc.)
- Paper quality (standard, premium, recycled, etc.)
For this, you could set up a customization tool on your site (many e-commerce platforms, like Shopify, have apps for this).
c) Create a Design Preview Tool:
Integrate a tool like Designify or Customily that lets customers see a real-time preview of their custom business card with the details they’ve entered.
4. Set Up Your Pricing Strategy
Pricing is an important aspect of your business model. Consider the following:
- Unit Price: Business cards are generally inexpensive to print, but you’ll want to price them competitively while covering printing costs. Standard cards might cost anywhere from $10–$30 for 100 cards depending on quality and customization.
- Bulk Orders: Offer discounts for larger orders or recurring customers. For example, 500 cards for a discounted price.
- Customization Fees: Charge extra for custom designs, special finishes (e.g., foil, embossing), or unique features like QR codes.
- Shipping Costs: If you’re using a print-on-demand service, the shipping will be handled for you. If printing in-house, factor in shipping costs when determining your pricing structure.
5. Market Your Custom Business Cards
a) Social Media Marketing
Social media is a powerful tool for promoting your business card store. Share high-quality images, customer testimonials, and behind-the-scenes content. Focus on platforms like:
- Instagram: Share images of your business card designs and use hashtags like #businesscards, #customcards, #carddesign, etc.
- Pinterest: This platform is ideal for showcasing your design ideas, with users often looking for creative inspiration.
- LinkedIn: Since business cards are often used for networking, LinkedIn can help you target business professionals.
b) SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
Optimize your website for search engines by using relevant keywords:
- “Custom business cards”
- “Affordable business card printing”
- “Unique business cards online”
- “Personalized business cards for professionals”
c) Google Ads/Facebook Ads
Paid advertising can help you reach a broader audience. Target businesses, entrepreneurs, and freelancers with ads showcasing your design options.
d) Content Marketing
Create blog content around the importance of business cards, design tips, and how to choose the right business card for your business. This will help you with SEO and positioning yourself as an expert in your niche.
e) Collaborations with Influencers
Partner with influencers in the business, tech, or creative industries to showcase your business cards. They could do a “unboxing” or review your designs to give you exposure to their audiences.
6. Handle Customer Orders and Fulfillment
If you’re using a Print-on-Demand service, this is handled automatically when a customer places an order. If you’re doing in-house printing, you’ll need to:
- Prepare and Print: Set up a smooth workflow for designing and printing the cards.
- Packaging: Invest in quality packaging to make the unboxing experience special.
- Shipping: Use reliable shipping partners (like USPS, FedEx, or UPS) to ensure timely delivery.
If you’re shipping internationally, consider offering international shipping options to expand your reach.
7. Provide Excellent Customer Service
Provide responsive customer support and offer easy return/exchange policies in case there are any issues with printing errors. Positive customer experiences are crucial to getting repeat business and generating word-of-mouth referrals.
8. Incorporate Reviews and Testimonials
Encourage customers to leave reviews and feedback after receiving their business cards. Positive testimonials will help build credibility and social proof for your business.
Conclusion:
By combining a great product, excellent customer service, and solid marketing, you can turn selling custom business cards online into a thriving business. Whether you use print-on-demand services for simplicity or print in-house for full control, the key is to offer high-quality designs that stand out and cater to the unique needs of your customers.
Would you like help with any specific aspect of setting up your business, like platform recommendations or marketing ideas?