Mail List Processing and Solutions – So, you’ve compiled, purchased, or obtained an address database for your use. Congratulations! With the help of mail pieces, you’re about to go on a unique direct mail journey.
Before starting any mailing campaigns, make sure to implement mail list processing. To keep your database up-to-date, boost the accuracy of your mail campaigns, and reduce the number of returns, address list maintenance services can help. A mailer might get numerous advantages from utilizing list management services. However, several difficulties come with it.
List Processing and Database Management Faces several Obstacles.
It’s best to be prepared. To avoid mail list processing problems, it is essential to be aware of all of the potential pitfalls that may arise. After all, implementing address list management services isn’t complicated or time-consuming.
The first challenge in processing mailing lists is inadequate or incorrect address data.
It’s not uncommon for people to be unsure of the appropriate address information. Your address database may contain records that lack ZIP codes, +4 codes, apartment numbers, and other identifying information. Although they can be used to send letters, such communications are susceptible to being lost in transit. The problem gets significantly worse if you send things. The bounce rate will rise due to the undeliverable mail, which will harm your company’s finances.
Incorrect database entries in the address book are the second obstacle to mailing list processing.
Sadly, address data is riddled with inaccuracies. Most likely, you’ll acquire data from various sources, including sales reps, your website, personal emails, and print forms. You may not be able to contact the intended recipient because of an incorrect ZIP code or a misspelled address in some of the records. Response rates and the return on investment (ROI) of your direct mail marketing efforts are impacted by inaccurate data in the same way that partial addresses are.
Challenge #3 in mailing list processing: out-of-date contact information
Your mailing lists will quickly become out-of-date if you don’t perform regular database checks on your address lists. The problem is that not everyone who relocates submits an address update request. Additionally, street addresses and ZIP codes change. Even if the recipient receives the mail, the additional time it takes to get there may be irrelevant.
Challenge #4: Hand-processing versus computer-processing of mailing lists
Another decision you’ll have to make is whether or not to automate the process of managing your mailing lists. Manual data processing may appear more straightforward because you don’t have to figure out complicated mail processing software, but it will hurt your productivity in the long term. Manually processing an increasing number of address lists will eat up more of your valuable time. In addition, manual mail list processing is incorrect and susceptible to human error.
Services to Consider for Address Validation, List Cleaning, and Other Aspects of List Management
Address list management services might cause problems, and now that you know this, it’s time to think about remedies. Postal validation, data enrichment, and list cleansing are prevalent methods. To begin, let’s discuss them.
Validation of the user’s identity during the submission process. As soon as a person gives information, the quality of the data is promptly tested. The system will display an error if the entry is formatted incorrectly. For web forms, input validation is joint.
Enrichment of data. Incomplete address data can also be addressed by using list management services. Zipcode databases can be updated with 4-digit extensions to save money on postage. The US Postal Service and other address list management services come in. Manually fill in the missing zip codes using the USPS extended ZIP code lookup or email Oversight for automated data enrichment.
Cleansing the list. There are many steps involved in removing junk mail from customers’ mailboxes. Before implementing mailing campaigns, it helps finalize mailing lists. USPS and third-party list management services are once again your options when it comes to clearing your database. Using Email Oversight, you can do all of the necessary data cleansing tasks in one place. In the future, you won’t be scrambling between several mailing providers to process mail lists manually.