StoneRaven Media’s CardRaven has launched an iPhone application that lets consumers buy and send a physical greeting card from their smartphone.

The online greeting card company launched the application just in time for Valentine’s Day to address the needs of on-the-go consumers who do not have time to get to a store, buy a stamp and mail the card. With the application, consumers can digitally create and send a physical card.

“The app allows you to send a greeting card when the urge hits you,” said Adam Lambert-Gorwyn, founder of CardRaven, Denver. “You won’t need to plan a trip to the card store, or to the post office.

“Additionally, we’re creating a line of card images that can’t be found anywhere else,” he said. “The traditional brands don’t always offer a way for you to express your personality the way you’d like. 

“We plan on offering further customization options in the near future.”

CardRaven is a subsidiary of StoneRaven Media, an online marketing company that works to expand the visibility of companies of all sizes on the Web.

Mobile greetings get real
Mr. Lambert-Gorwyn said he came up with the idea after finding himself wishing he could send a real greeting card to someone, but was not near a card store or post office.

Sending a physical card via mobile lets consumers get their feelings across. Sometimes ecards are not personal enough, Mr. Lambert-Gorwyn said.

CardRaven created a wide assortment of holiday-themed cards, focusing on Valentine’s Day first.

Consumers can also use their own photographs taken with the iPhone’s built-in camera.

The application also features iPhone address book integration.

Consumers must have a PayPal account to pay for the cards via the application.

All-occasion cards and thank-you cards that offer more personalization are in the company’s future.

CardRaven’s cards are created with original art that consumers will not find at a chain greeting card store, according to the company.

Mr. Lambert-Gorwyn said CardRaven’s original artwork is predominantly geared towards male iPhone users, but women that have used the application prefer the custom photo options.

Linking communications
The application is free to download. However, the greeting cards sell for $2.99.

The $2.99 price includes postage to anywhere in the world.

Cards are created using a process that eliminates an envelope, reducing the amount of paper.

CardRaven prints and mails the cards within 24 hours of the order placement.

Cards are sent via First-Class Postal Mail and delivery to United States destinations takes approximately five to seven days.

The application is being marketed primarily through the CardRaven Web site and using social media tools such as Facebook.

AmazingMail, CardRaven’s print partner, will feature the application within their site.
 
Mr. Lambert-Gorwyn said CardRaven is relying heavily on the mobile payment feature in its initial release because providing integrated ordering functionality lets the company provide the application for free, removing the first barrier to ordering greeting cards.

“As people become more reliant on their mobile devices, they are looking for additional functionality that makes the devices even more useful,” Mr. Lambert-Gorwyn said. “I’ve always been intrigued by linking the online world with something you can physically touch. 

“CardRaven is an application that bridges that gap,” he said.