How to Text a Digital Business Card in 2026 (3 Ways)

George El-Hage 🔗 LinkedIn

Founder, Wave Connect | 1M+ digital business cards shared via Wave

I've helped over a million people share their digital business cards - and texting is by far the most common method. This guide is based on what I've seen work (and not work) across hundreds of thousands of real shares.

Texting a digital business card is the fastest way to get your contact info into someone's phone - and it takes about 10 seconds. Whether you just met someone at a conference, wrapped up a sales call, or got someone's number at a meetup, you can send them your full card via text and they'll have everything they need to save you as a contact.

In this guide, I'll walk you through the exact steps, cover three different ways to do it (with or without the app), and share tips I've picked up from watching how people actually respond to texted cards on Wave Connect.

What Happens When You Text a Digital Business Card

When you text a digital business card, the recipient gets a text message containing a link to your full digital profile - they tap it, and your card opens instantly in their phone's browser. There's no app to download, no file to open, no account to create. They see your name, photo, job title, phone number, email, social links, and a one-tap "Save Contact" button. The whole experience takes about 3 seconds from tap to view.

I've shared my card this way hundreds of times, and the thing people always comment on is how fast it is. They tap the link, everything loads, and they hit Save. Done. It's the same experience on iPhone and Android - the card opens in whatever browser they're using.

The other thing worth knowing: the link is live. If you update your phone number, change your title, or add a new social profile after you've texted the card, the link still shows the updated version. So you're not locking in a snapshot of your info - you're sharing a link that always stays current.

How to Text Your Digital Business Card: Step-by-Step

Texting your digital business card takes five steps and about 15 seconds total - open Wave, tap Share, pick SMS, enter the number, and send. Here's the full walkthrough so there's no guesswork.

Step 1: Open Wave (App or Browser)

Open the Wave app on your phone, or log into your Wave dashboard from any browser. Both give you the same sharing options. If you're on your phone, the app is faster. If you're at your desk, the browser works just as well.

Step 2: Tap the Share Button

Find your card and tap the Share icon. You'll see a list of sharing methods - SMS, email, QR code, copy link, and more.

Step 3: Select SMS / Text

Tap SMS (or Text depending on your device). This opens your phone's native messaging app with a pre-filled message containing your card link.

Step 4: Enter the Recipient's Number

Type in the phone number or pick a contact from your phone's address book. If you're sending to someone you just met, you probably have their number saved already from your conversation.

Step 5: Hit Send

Send it. The recipient gets a clean text message with a link to your digital business card. When they tap it, your full profile loads in their browser - no app needed on their end.

That's it. The whole process is about as fast as sending a regular text. If you want a deeper look at all the ways to share your digital business card beyond just texting, I've got a full breakdown of every method.

3 Ways to Share via Text (With or Without the App)

You don't need the Wave app installed on your phone to text your digital business card - there are three different methods, and two of them work without the app entirely. Here's each one.

Method 1: App Share (Built-in SMS)

This is the fastest route if you have the Wave app. Open the app, tap Share, select SMS, and your phone's messaging app opens with the link pre-loaded. Just pick a contact and send. Takes about 10 seconds.

Best for: Quick shares when you're out networking or just met someone.

Method 2: Copy Link + Paste (No App Needed)

Log into your Wave dashboard from any browser - phone or computer. Copy your card's unique link. Then paste it into any text message, WhatsApp chat, Slack DM, or whatever messaging app you're using.

This method is especially useful if you don't want to install the app, or if you're sending your card from a desktop. I use this one all the time when I'm following up with people after meetings and I'm already at my computer.

Best for: Desktop follow-ups, sending via messaging apps other than SMS, or if you prefer not to use the app.

Method 3: Apple Wallet / Google Wallet Share

If you've added your digital business card to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet, you can share it directly from there. Open the Wallet pass, tap the share option, and send it via text. The recipient gets the same link to your full profile.

Best for: iPhone users who want one-tap access without opening any app. It's the fastest method if your card is already in your Wallet. ⚡

When to Text vs. QR Code vs. Email

Texting your card is best for 1-on-1 follow-ups when you already have someone's number. QR codes work better in person. Email is ideal for formal or B2B contexts. Here's how I think about choosing the right method.

Text your card when:

• You just met someone and got their number (fastest follow-up)
• You're sharing with someone who isn't physically in front of you
• You want the most personal, direct way to share - texts feel less formal than email
• You're networking at events and want to follow up the same day

Use a QR code when:

• You're face-to-face with someone (conferences, trade shows, meetups)
• You're sharing with multiple people at once (put it on a slide or badge)
• You want the "wow factor" of a tap-and-scan interaction

Email your card when:

• It's a professional or B2B follow-up where email feels more appropriate
• You want to include your card in an email signature for passive sharing
• You're sending to someone you only have an email address for

My general rule: if I have their number, I text. If I'm standing next to them, I scan. If it's a formal follow-up, I email. For a complete rundown of the best ways to exchange contacts in different situations, I ranked all the methods side by side.

What the Recipient Sees

The recipient sees a clean text message with a short link. When they tap it, your full digital business card loads in their browser - no app needed, no sign-up required. Here's exactly what they get:

• Your profile photo and branding
• Your name, title, and company
• Contact buttons - tap to call, tap to email, tap to text back
• Social links - LinkedIn, Instagram, website, whatever you've added
• Save Contact button - one tap adds you to their phone's address book with all your details

The whole thing works on any phone - iPhone, Android, doesn't matter. It opens in their default browser (Safari, Chrome, whatever) and loads in under 2 seconds.

No app download prompts. No pop-ups asking them to sign up. Just your card, ready to save.

If you're on iPhone and want even more ways to get your contact info to someone, check out this guide on how to share a contact card on iPhone - it covers NameDrop, AirDrop, and a few other tricks.

Tips for Getting More Responses

Texting your card is easy - getting people to actually open it and save your info is the real challenge. Here's what I've learned from watching how people respond to texted cards. 📱

1. Add a personal message

Don't just send a bare link. Write something like "Hey Sarah, great meeting you at the Austin tech meetup! Here's my card so you have my info." A personalized text gets way more opens than a link with no context.

2. Text within 24 hours

The faster you follow up, the more likely they'll remember you and save your card. Same-day is ideal. After 48 hours, open rates drop significantly. If you're at a conference, I'll usually text people during the lunch break or right after the event while I still remember who I talked to.

3. Keep the message short

Your text should be 1-2 sentences max plus the link. Nobody reads a long text from someone they just met. Get to the point.

4. Include a reason to connect

"Here's my card" is fine. "Here's my card - let's grab that coffee we talked about next Tuesday" is better. Give them a reason to save your info beyond politeness.

5. Follow up if needed

If they don't respond in a few days, it's totally fine to send a quick follow-up. Something casual like "Hey, just wanted to make sure my card came through!" works. People are busy. Texts get buried. It's not weird to nudge once.

For more creative approaches to sharing your contact details, I put together a list of methods that go beyond the basics.