A visiting card is not the same as a business card. Even though they look similar, they have different purposes. Using your business card as a visiting card can give the wrong impression. So what exactly is a visiting card and how is it different from a business card?

To understand their differences, it helps to know their history. Visiting cards were used by important people when they visited others socially. When they arrived, they or their servant would give the card to the doorman to announce their arrival. Visiting cards have their origins in Europe or China, but by the 18th century, they were seen as important for gentlemen all over the Western world. Visiting cards are also called calling cards, although nowadays the term “calling card” refers more to someone’s unique style, qualities, or actions.

Today, a visiting card may have your company’s name and logo, but it will have less information about the business. A business card mainly represents the company, while a visiting card focuses more on the individual. This difference influences how each type of card is used.

When to Use a Business Card instead of Visiting Card.

A business card is focused on business matters. If you want to provide someone with a way to contact your business, whether it’s your own company or the one you work for, a business card is the right choice. It can include your name, email address, and direct phone line, but its purpose is to encourage and make it easy for someone to get in touch with the company. Usually, the person who hands out the card is not the only one who can assist them at the business.

On the other hand, a visiting card is more personal. It can still be used in social gatherings, or it’s suitable for softer business situations where you want to establish a more personal connection.

Visiting cards are also useful for people who are not strictly running a business but need a way for others to contact them. Artists and craftspeople who sell their creations may not be considered a formal business, but there are occasions when they need a convenient way to share their contact information. Writers, tutors, and public speakers can also utilize visiting cards in this manner.

Although the original purpose of visiting cards has changed over time, they can still be used to announce your arrival. You may not be visiting the estate of a noble family, but if you are going to a place where you are not personally known, a visiting card can be a useful tool for a receptionist to pass on your details to the professional you wish to meet. This applies whether you are there as a supplier, a customer, or an industry colleague.