What happens to the data on a digital business card, and what to ask
A digital business card is a public page, and that is the whole point of it. But public means everything you put on it is visible to anyone with the link, including people you did not have in mind, and that deserves five minutes of thought before publishing rather than after. At the same time the card also collects something: other people's enquiries, and that is data you are responsible for. This guide is general information and is not legal advice.
What is visible, and to whom
Everything on the card is visible to anyone holding the link, and in most cases to search engines too. That is true of the phone number, the address, the photo and any names you mention. The practical conclusion is not to hide everything, but to choose: a business number rather than a private one, and a full address only if customers actually come to you. Anyone working from home can show an area only, and give the exact address in a message once an appointment is set.
There are also cases where it is better for the card not to appear in search at all, for example professionals who guard their privacy, or a card meant only for people who received the link. That can be marked in the card settings: the link keeps working normally, and the card is simply left out of search engine indexing.
And the data of the people who contact you
The moment the card has an enquiry form, you are collecting other people's details: a name, a phone number, sometimes a message that says something personal. That is data you are responsible for, and three simple habits cover most of the story: ask only for what you actually need in order to reply, do not pass it to a third party without a reason, and delete old enquiries you no longer need.
Six questions to ask any provider, including us
- Where is the data stored, and in which region of the world.
- Who on your side can see my enquiries, and under what circumstances.
- Is the data sold or used for advertising. The answer should be a plain, simple no.
- What happens when I close an account: is everything deleted, including images I uploaded.
- Which tracking tools run on the page my customers visit.
- Is there a real policy document I can read before signing up.
And our answers, briefly
Enquiries arriving through the card are stored in your account and are accessible to you, and to us for operation and support. We do not sell data and we do not use your enquiries for advertising. Measurement on the public pages runs only after a visitor gives explicit consent, and without consent no measurement tools load at all. The full document is the privacy policy, and it is the binding version rather than this paragraph.
A card where you control what is shown
Build a card for free, choose what is public and what is not, and decide whether it appears in search.
Create a cardFrequently asked questions
Can I hide the card from Google?
Yes. There is a setting on the card asking search engines not to index it. The link keeps working normally for anyone who received it.
Do I have to publish a full address?
No. Many owners who work from home show only a city or service area. An exact address is mainly needed when customers come to you in person.
What happens to images I uploaded if I close my account?
Deleting an account deletes the uploaded files as well, not only the records. That is part of the deletion itself rather than a separate request.
The SimplyCard team
Digital business card specialists
We build SimplyCard, a simple way for small businesses to create a professional digital business card. We write about first impressions, practical marketing and turning introductions into customer enquiries.