Have you ever wondered how businesses manage to send mail to the correct addresses? How do they ensure that their mailing lists are up-to-date and accurate? The answer lies in address verification. In this post, we'll define what address verification is, explain its importance, and answer the six most popular questions about it.
Address verification is the process of ensuring that a postal address is correct and complete. It involves verifying that the address exists and that it meets the standard format for that country. Address verification is crucial for businesses that rely on mailing lists for marketing, billing, or communication purposes.
Address verification helps businesses ensure that their mailings reach the intended recipient. This reduces the number of returned mail items and saves time and money. It also helps prevent fraud and identity theft by ensuring that mail isn't delivered to incorrect or non-existent addresses.
Address verification typically involves using address standardization software to compare an inputted address to a database of valid addresses. The software then corrects or completes any missing information, such as ZIP codes or street names. Some address verification software also performs postal address validation, which confirms that an address actually exists.
Using address verification software offers several benefits for businesses, including:
Address cleansing is an additional step beyond address verification. It involves removing duplicate or invalid entries from a mailing list to ensure that it is accurate and up-to-date. Address cleansing can also involve appending missing data, such as phone numbers or email addresses.
To get started with address verification, you'll need to choose an address verification software provider. Look for a provider that offers features such as postal address validation, address standardization, and address cleansing. You'll also want to consider the cost and ease of integration with your existing systems.