Digital business cards get talked about as the modern replacement for print, but in practice most professionals end up using both, for genuinely different situations rather than one fully replacing the other.
Printed cards still win for in-person, first-touch moments
Handing over a physical card at a conference, a networking event, or a first client meeting remains a natural, low-friction gesture that a digital exchange (swapping phone numbers, sharing a link) doesn't quite replicate socially.
Digital cards win for follow-up and remote sharing
A digital card — a link, a saved contact file, an image sent over WhatsApp — is far more practical when you're not physically in the same room, and it updates instantly if your details change, unlike a printed batch.
Printed cards can carry a digital handoff built in
A QR code on a printed card linking to a digital contact card (vCard) gets the best of both — the tactile, in-person exchange, followed by an instant, accurate save into the recipient's phone contacts.
Cost and update frequency matter
If your role or contact details change often, leaning more heavily on digital avoids reprinting costs. If your details are stable and you attend in-person events regularly, a printed card still earns its keep.
Our practical take
Most professionals are better served having both — a printed card for handing over in person, with a QR code bridging to a digital version for easy saving and updating.