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The direct answer
If you want to invite market customers to visit your shop later, offer a clear way to find it. One option: hold out a tap card programmed with your online shop or follow-page URL as an optional invitation. A tap on a compatible phone offers to open the supplied link; the customer chooses whether to open it and what to do next. Opening the link does not automatically follow an account, submit a signup, or place an order.
The after-market drop-off
| What you did | What the customer did | What happens next |
|---|---|---|
| A customer buys at your booth | May intend to visit your shop later | May need your shop name or URL to find it |
| Business card in every bag | Customer receives your printed shop details | Can choose whether to keep the card or visit the shop |
| "We're on Instagram!" | Hears your Instagram handle | Can choose whether to search for your account and follow |
| QR code taped to the table tent | Can scan the code with a compatible phone camera or QR-scanning app | Can use the link and choose the next action |
Make your shop URL easy to find, without expecting every buyer to visit it.
The booth ritual (4 steps)
- When someone buys, offer the card: "If you'd like my shop link, you can tap this with a compatible phone or scan the QR code on the back." Let the customer decide whether to open the link.
- The customer chooses whether to open your link. The card needs no app and is printed with your logo, then programmed with one URL you supply.
- Offer the next step without pressure. Supply your shop, Instagram, or email-signup URL before production, depending on which page you want to invite customers to visit. Pick ONE per card.
- Keep your card for repeat sharing. Use it at your studio or pop-ups rather than giving one away with every purchase or wholesale box. Offer it when someone wants your shop link; paper cards and other sharing methods can still have a place.
What it costs, compared honestly
| Method | Typical cost | Effort | Honest verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tap card → your shop | USD 19 for one Matte card or USD 29 for two, one-time, no subscription | Optional tap on a compatible phone or QR scan | Reusable shop-link sharing; visits and purchases remain customer choices |
| Printed QR tent card | Depends on your printing setup | Scan with a compatible phone camera or QR-scanning app | A printed way to share your shop URL |
| Email-list clipboard | Depends on your materials | May require transcription | An optional signup method, with contact details entered by the customer |
| "Follow me on Instagram!" | No card or print required | Customer searches for your handle | A verbal invitation; the customer decides whether to search and follow |
Alternatives that also work
- Put your shop URL on every price tag and bag. Customers can use the URL if they choose to visit; printing costs depend on your materials.
- An email signup with a reason. Explain what people will receive if they sign up, without promising more than you offer.
- A QR sticker on your shopping bags. A QR code gives customers another way to find your shop after they leave.
- Follow up the market on your own socials. Share an accurate restock or product update so interested customers know what is available.
Sell online too? For a separate discussion of package inserts, see the package insert card for Etsy and Shopify reviews, including what Etsy's rules allow.
FAQ
Shop link or Instagram — which one?
Choose your shop URL to invite people to browse products, or your Instagram URL to invite them to view your profile. Every card is programmed with one URL you supply; two Matte cards cost USD 29 one-time.
Does it work outdoors?
A tap on a compatible phone offers to open your supplied URL. A printed QR backup is included by default. The card uses an NTAG215 chip. No battery or charging is needed.
Can I change the link when my shop URL changes?
Cards are programmed with one URL you supply before production. If you anticipate a URL change, confirm the options with Pocket Factory before ordering.
What if customers are in a hurry?
Make the invitation optional and let customers leave without opening anything. Offer your shop URL another way if they prefer.
The bottom line
Your booth is a place to introduce customers to your online shop. Offer the link as an invitation, not an expected part of checkout. Get a website NFC card for your shop URL: USD 19 for one Matte card or USD 29 for two. Each card is printed with your logo, programmed with one supplied URL, and includes a protective sleeve, with no app or subscription.
More on this cluster: Get Customers to Tag You · Followers In Person: Podcasters · Me vs. My Business Page
