Top tips for the perfect business card

6. Colourful cards
The colour of your card should be tailored to the type of business you represent and your target audience. Warm and inviting colours, such as blue and white, are perfect for a doctor's card, while an artist or entertainer may go with a black card to display their off-beat creativity. Make sure your cards are full-colour to cast a bright, eye-catching image. Avoid using hard-to-read yellow business cards.

7. Different cards for different people
Businesses marketing to a wide-ranging audience should consider creating more than one business card design for their personnel. For example, a florist could tailor one card to target the wedding industry and another for the funeral industry. Your company needs to be all things to all people so why not have multiple card designs when you have to influence very different audiences with very different needs? The small amount of money spent developing the additional cards will pay for itself in the form of the extra business gained.

8. Font size matters
Never use font smaller than 8-10 point on your business card. Cards that have its readers reaching for magnifying glasses will only cause frustration. While it's great to be stylish, avoid using an ultra fancy font that's on the verge of being illegible. Make sure the print on your card blends properly with its background colour and design.

9. Brag about yourself
Tell the world if you or your organisation has won awards. Proudly list any awards on the front or back of your card as it can only enhance your contact's interest in doing business with you. Whether you are an MD, or PhD, list your qualifications and professional status. It won't take up much space and it will signal that you are knowledgeable and experienced.

10. Don't break the bank
Business cards are worth every penny but you don't have to spend a chunk of your marketing budget on them. Search for free business card offers and enlist the services of a company that can produce high-quality yet affordable cards. If you're a small or home business owner, work with a company that allows card orders in small business-friendly quantities.

No matter what your budget is, these simple tips will enable you to create business cards that put yourself and your organisation on the profitable road to customer retention and acquisition.

Melissa Crowe is the vice president of marketing services at VistaPrint, an online supplier of graphic design and printed products to small businesses and consumers. Visit www.vistaprint.co.uk for more business card ideas.