A business card has room for maybe six or seven pieces of information before it starts feeling cluttered. Deciding what makes that cut matters more than any design flourish.
The essentials
Full name, job title, company name, and one primary phone number or email. These four cover the actual purpose of the card — someone knowing who you are and how to reach you.
One clear call to action, if relevant
A website URL or a QR code linking somewhere specific gives the recipient a next step beyond just holding onto the card — useful if you want them to actually visit something, not just file the card away.
What to leave off unless truly relevant
A full physical address is often unnecessary unless walk-in visits matter for your business. A long list of every service you offer overwhelms rather than informs — save that detail for your website or a follow-up conversation.
Social handles: pick one, not all five
Listing every social platform dilutes attention. Choose whichever single platform is genuinely most relevant to how people would engage with your business, and let the rest be discoverable from there.
Consider what changes and what doesn't
A direct phone extension or a temporary email risks becoming outdated quickly. Favor details stable enough to survive a role change or a minor reorganization, so you're not reprinting cards every few months.