How to Get Free Business Cards on the Internet

This article will outline how to get free business cards on the Internet: the process, where to find free promotional offers and how to set up the design layout of your business cards.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Visit one of the major search engines (Yahoo!, MSN, Google) and type in the words: Free business cards. Immediately, you find a number of printing companies that offer free business cards. In most cases, each company will catalogue three to four broad business card categories. These categories include: Free Business Cards, Basic Business Cards, Premium Business Cards, etc. You will select the Free Business Cards page. (Many companies will offer as many as 25 to 100 different designs according to category, style and industry.) Browse the selections, then choose the design layout that meets the needs of your business or industry. (It is important to note that these design layouts contain industry specific imaging, sketch work and cartoons.)

2. The design layout will require you to provide some variation of the following information:Company NameJob TitleAddress #1Address #2Address #3Telephone NumberEmailFaxWeb AddressIn most cases, there is a charge to print text or occupy the back of your free business cards. This fee can range anywhere from $5 to $ 10. If you want to include additional text, calendar, call out, image or other information, you will, in most cases, be charged a small fee. This fee can range anywhere from $5 to $22 dollars.Each company will advertise to its own discretion, but commonly, the addition of a simple logo or website will typically be found on the bottom or back of your business cards. This information is typically not obtrusive and will not advertise that your business cards were issued as part of a free promotion.

3. 
   Business Cards with Photo

   To upload an image, you will be directed to a new page; uploading logos/photographs is limited to specific design layouts . If you choose to add a photograph, you will need to upload the image to one of these design layouts. (It is important to note than many companies restrict the size of the image to that of a medium size file. Size restrictions will vary.) Because most of the design templates incorporate industry specific imaging, sketch work and cartoons, chosing to add a photograph to your design layout is a great way to personalize your free business cards. This option is certainly worth the small fee charged for the service.

4. 
   Promotional Products

   Once you have added your company information (and photo or logo, if applicable), you will be presented with additional promotions and trial offers. These promotions are typically limited to three to seven pages and are not excessive. This step of the process is limited and can promote applicable business tools, small business services and marketing packages to compliment your free business cards. You are not required to purchase any of these items and can bypass these pages rather quickly by choosing to decline the products offered within these pages. If you find an item of interest, you can choose to review the product (and promotional details) more closely or add it to your shopping cart.

5. Once you accept the terms of your free business cards, you will be prompted to choose the method of shipping and handling you require. These fees can range anywhere from $32 (overnight) to $4 to $6 (3 to 4 weeks) to just about every time frame and price range in between. Don't get too intimidated by ground shipping options. Typically, your order will arrive well before the 3 week estimated delivery time. (This is always a loose seasonal estimate!) From my research, most ground shipping orders arrive within 5 to 10 business days.

Tips & Warnings

• It is not necessary to purchase a PDF proof, but always preview your order!!
• If you require a PDF proof, you can purchase this service for a few dollars. You will recieve the PDF version of your order by email.
• Although your business cards are free, you are still required to pay all shipping and handling fees.
• Because your business cards are free, you are not subject to a satisfaction guarantee policy. (Check all spelling before you confirm the order.)

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[jennen]

on 2/21/2009 I heard that Vista.com is a good place to get free business cards... too... great article

[thedogshrink]

on 12/21/2008 Great article. Very detailed description. 5*