What to check before buying an NFC business card

NFC business cards look alike on a product page, but the service behind them can differ. Some products need an app, some depend on a subscription, and some store details that are hard to change. These six questions help you compare offers before you buy.

1. Does it work on iPhone and Android?

The card should open your profile in the other person's browser, with no app to install. Every iPhone from the iPhone XS onward reads NFC automatically, according to Apple's developer documentation. Most Android phones also have NFC.

The card should also carry a printed QR code. It opens the same profile on phones without NFC.

2. Is there a subscription?

Some cards stop working, or hide parts of the profile, when a monthly plan ends. It is worth reading the plan before you buy, including what remains when you stop paying. A Mibio profile is free and stays online for life. The features that come with a Mibio product, such as Apple Wallet, Google Wallet and lead capture, need no subscription.

3. Can you change your details at any time?

People change phone numbers, job titles and offices. You should be able to edit your profile as often as you like, at no extra cost. The card should then open the new version immediately. A card that opens an online profile stays valid, while a card that stores your details on the chip needs rewriting.

4. Can the other person save your contact?

A saved contact stays on the other person's phone. The profile should save your details to the phone's contacts with a single tap, as a vCard. A vCard is the standard contact format defined by the IETF in RFC 6350, and phones, email apps and address books read it. The saved contact should include your photo, phone numbers, email and company.

5. What happens if you lose the card?

It is worth asking how the seller replaces a lost card and whether the new one opens the same profile. This way you keep your link, your contacts and your history.

6. Who designs the card?

The price should include the design, and the card should carry your logo and colors. It also helps to see the design before production. We design each Mibio card for you free of charge.