The entrepreneurs behind the Zappify virtual business card are celebrating a milestone year as they embark on their next phase of expansion.
Keith Robinson and Paul Smith launched Zappify during the first COVID lockdown in the spring of 2020 as a fully digital and green alternative to traditional printed business cards.
During 2023 they achieved several milestones as businesses continue to seek ways to strengthen their environmental credentials.
Bury-based Zappify is now being used in more than 40 countries across six continents, and over 250 companies employing 75,000 staff worldwide have adopted the technology.
The final quarter of 2023 saw Zappify actively used more than 30,000 times by businesspeople across the globe, representing a year-on-year increase of 273% and up 149% compared with the previous three months.
Zappify’s client base ranges from individual freelancers and startups to multinational companies, including chartered accountancy firm Saffery, law firm Gateley, food wholesaler Bidfood and specialist lender Leumi UK.
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The Zappify card is contactless and enables users to swap contact information in person or over video conferencing platforms, email and messaging apps on their smartphones via a unique QR code or personal URL.
Clients pay an annual subscription to use the Zappify platform, and all data is held securely in compliance with GDPR requirements and with endorsement from the Information Commissioner’s Office.
Robinson said it is evolving its product suite to include options to share promotional corporate videos, generate personal video introductions, and add links to websites and platforms such as LinkedIn, social media accounts and YouTube content.
“Last year was a record-breaker for Zappify. Awareness is growing as companies and individuals everywhere put greater emphasis on the need to implement more sustainable practices and see the benefits of adopting ways to go digital,” said Robinson.
“Our clients understand that virtual business cards are a cheaper and greener option than printed ones, with the added advantage that digital contact information can be shared more extensively using modern technology and devices, and can easily be updated when people move locations or positions.
“We have invested to further develop the platform by fully integrating Zappify with Apple Wallet, introducing an offline mode so that contact details can be shared on smartphones even where there is no signal, and enabling contact information to be displayed in any language, which increases our global appeal.
“This year is hugely exciting for Zappify as we continue to grow rapidly and see the digital card and platform become a one-stop digital marketing tool for our users.”