Business is competition. It's a tough industry with both friends and foes—usually more foes. A tool that many business owners choose to use is the business card. The small piece of paper tells business friends and potential clients who you are, what you do, and how to contact you.

Although it may seem silly, the design you choose for your business card is important. After all, it's how people will remember you—and it can make or break your first impression.

So how should you make sure you leave a good impression in people's minds? Follow these four business card design tips:

1. Ensure It Is Readable

Perhaps the most important part of your business card is the text—or content. If you have a lot of information to convey, you might be tempted to shrink it down or use an obscure text. Sure, it will put all of your information on the card. But is it readable?

Above everything else, make sure your business card is legible. Your information should be a font size that is easy to see, and the font should be readable. In general, you should avoid using any font that is cursive. However, you might also want to avoid fonts that utilize all capitalization, strange characters, or curvy letters that flow into each other.

2. Utilize the Back of the Card

Many people simply overlook the back of the business card. Do not make this mistake. The backside of the business card holds a lot of real estate for extra information.

You can include extra business information or a QR code on the back. You could also use the back of the card for coupons or special offer codes for new clients and customers. Whatever you do, make sure you utilize this space—as it will give you the most bang for your buck.

3. Choose Colors Carefully

The colors you choose can make a huge impact on your first impression. Although color choice may seem easy, it is easy to get overwhelmed and wind up with a cluttered card. As a rule, you should stick to colors that coincide with your business.

If you do not have specific colors attached to your business or brand, feel free to play with your choices. Bright colors can help your card stand out from the crowd; however, bright colors are best used with creative businesses. Complimentary colors can also provide a nice feel to the card, as they can help certain areas pop—such as your contact information.

4. Include a Photograph

Finally, consider including a photograph on your business card. If the business card represents only you, include a photo of your face. Although it may not sound ideal, a picture of you can help customers and clients remember who you are.

If your card represents your entire business, include a photo of your brand—or your logo. You could also include a picture of something that represents your business.

Designing a business card may be tough, but you can make it easier with these four tips. Once you have decided on a card that represents you and your business, contact a local printing service to get your cards. You can also use a printing service for design help, if you can't come up with something that suits you. 

You can go to a printing service website for additional reading on the subject.