Online Business Card for Market Traders and Pop-Ups
By Online Business Cards Editorial Team | Published | Updated | Online business cards for local businesses
For market stalls, craft fairs, street food and pop-ups: the QR code on your stall sign, a price list, where you will be next, a repeat customer list, custom orders and what to do when signal is weak.
A market stall is a business that changes every week. You are in a different place on Saturday than on Thursday, your stock changes with the season, and customers who loved what you sold often have no idea where to find you next time. An online business card gives them one page to come back to: what you sell, what it costs, where you will be next and how to order something special.
This guide is for market stalls, craft fairs, street food traders and pop-ups. It covers the QR code on your stall sign, a price list document, "where we are next" updates, building a list of repeat customers, taking custom orders, and what to do when the signal at your pitch is weak.
Why a card helps at a stall
A stall has two problems a card fixes.
- Customers who are not ready to buy today. They like your work, but they are carrying shopping or want to think about it. Without a way to find you again, that sale is gone.
- Customers who want something you do not have with you. A different size, a commission, catering for a party. You need their details and what they want, written down properly.
Your card handles both: they scan, save your details, and come back to you when they are ready.
The QR code on your stall sign
Where to put it
- At the front of the table, at an angle so it faces customers.
- On the side of your gazebo or banner, at eye level, for people walking past.
- Next to the card machine, so people scan while you take payment.
What to say next to it
Tell people what they will get, in a few words: "Scan for prices, market dates and custom orders." A code with no explanation is easy to ignore.
How big to make it
A code at arm's length on the table can be smaller than one on a banner people see from across the aisle. Our QR code size and placement guide explains how to size it for the scanning distance.
A price list document
Upload your price list as a document on your card. It saves you answering "how much is this?" a hundred times, and customers can check prices after they have left.
- Group items the way customers think: by product type, size or occasion.
- Show "from" prices for anything made to order.
- Put the month in the file name, such as "Price list, November 2026", so people know it is current.
- Keep a written price board on the stall as well. The document is for later, and for people who prefer to read on their phone.
For layouts, VAT and keeping prices current, see our guide to a price list on an online business card.
"Where we are next"
This is the update your regulars want most. You have a few ways to show it.
- A line at the top of your details: "Next: Otley Farmers' Market, Saturday 14 November, 9am to 1pm."
- A short blog post each month using the card's Blog feature: your dates and places, with a photo from last time.
- A document: "Market dates, November and December 2026".
Whichever you choose, update it the same day your plans change. A wrong date on your card is worse than none.
Building a list of repeat customers
Your best customers are the ones who come back. The Business Plan includes Subscribers, which lets visitors sign up to hear from you.
- Ask clearly what they are signing up for: "Sign up for our market dates and new ranges. About once a month."
- Only add people who sign up themselves. Do not add customers from receipts or orders without asking.
- Message them with your usual email tool. Export your subscribers and send your update, sticking to what you promised.
- Make it easy to leave. Include a way to unsubscribe in every message.
The ICO's guidance on collecting information and generating leads explains what you must tell people when they sign up for marketing.
Taking custom orders through the enquiry form
On the Business Plan you can add an enquiry form. For a stall, it turns "can you make one in blue?" into an order you can actually price.
Example: a custom order form for a candle maker
This is an Example for a made-up business, not a real customer.
- Name and phone or email (required)
- What would you like? Candle, Diffuser, Gift set, Wedding favours, Something else (required)
- How many?
- Scent and colour, if you know
- When do you need it by?
- Collect from a market, or arrange another way?
- Button: "Ask about an order"
- After sending: "Thanks. We reply within two days with a price and a date."
Reply quickly, with a price, a date and how to pay a deposit if you take one. Take any payment separately: the card's forms do not take payment.
When the signal is weak
Markets in town squares, fields and old halls often have poor signal. Plan for it.
- Keep your card in your phone wallet. A wallet pass stays on your phone, so you can usually show your QR code even without signal. Our guide to keeping your card in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet shows how.
- Tell customers they can open it later. Scanning the code shows the link on their phone. If the page will not load, they can open it when they are back on Wi-Fi.
- Keep a screenshot of your card's main details on your phone, so you can show prices or dates to someone at the stall when nothing loads.
- Keep the stall board and a sign with your card's web address as a backup that never needs signal.
Paper flyer, card profile or social page?
Paper flyer | Online business card | Social media page
Can be updated after it is handed out | No | Yes, from your dashboard | Yes
Saves to the customer's contacts | No | Yes, with the save-contact button | No
Shows prices | Only what fits | Products and a price list document | In posts, which scroll away
"Where we are next" | Only dates known when it was made | Updated whenever plans change | Yes, in posts and stories
Custom orders | Phone or email only | Enquiry form, saved as leads (Business Plan) | Messages
Repeat customer list | No | Subscribers (Business Plan) | Followers, who may not see your posts
Works without signal | Yes | Wallet pass shows your QR code; the page needs a connection | Needs a connection
Cost | A cost every batch | £45 or £90, paid once | Free to set up
Many traders use all three. Flyers go in bags, the card holds the details that change, and social media shows what is new.
A checklist for your next market day
- Card details show your next three dates and places.
- Price list document is current, with the month in the file name.
- QR code is on the table front, the gazebo and next to the card machine.
- Wallet pass is on your phone.
- A screenshot of your main details is saved, for when signal fails.
- Your enquiry form works: test it from your own phone.
- A sign says what people get when they scan.
Mobile traders who also take bookings away from the market will find more ideas in our guide to an online business card for mobile businesses.
Which plan?
Brand Presence (£45 one-off) covers your details, products, price list document, gallery and blog for market dates. The Business Plan (£90 one-off) adds the enquiry form for custom orders, Subscribers for your repeat customer list, and export. Our online business card with a QR code page shows both. More guides for local businesses are in the journal.
Frequently asked questions
Where should a market trader put the QR code?
At the front of the table facing customers, on the side of your gazebo at eye level, and next to the card machine. Add a few words saying what people get when they scan, such as prices, market dates and custom orders.
How do I tell customers where my stall will be next?
Add your next dates to the top of your card's details, post them monthly using the Blog feature, or upload a dates document. Update it the same day your plans change.
Can I build a mailing list from my stall?
Yes, on the Business Plan, using Subscribers. Only add people who sign up themselves, tell them what they will receive and how often, and include a way to unsubscribe in every message.
Can customers place custom orders through my card?
They can send you a custom order request through an enquiry form on the Business Plan. The form does not take payment, so reply with a price and take any deposit separately.
What if there is no signal at the market?
Keep your card as a wallet pass so your QR code shows without signal, and save a screenshot of your main details. Customers who scan can open the page later. Keep a stall board and a sign with your web address as backups.
Which plan suits a market trader?
Brand Presence (£45 one-off) suits traders who mainly need prices, photos and dates. The Business Plan (£90 one-off) adds custom order forms, a subscriber list and export, which suit traders with regular customers.