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Frequently Asked Questions |
Getting Started
Specific Questions
Data/Mailing List Formats
Privacy & Security Issues
Data Reseller Issues
FAQ - Answers
Do I need any special software to run counts or place orders on AccuLeads?
To access the site, you will need a Javascript enabled browser that supports graphics
and secure encryption, such as Internet Explorer 4 and above or Netscape Navigator
4 and above. To place your order, you will need an email address and a credit card.
How do I target consumers?
After you define your geography, the next step is to identify the type of consumers
you would like to contact. The Targeting Criteria screen provides several demographic
variables from which to choose including income, age, and marital status. The more
criteria you select, the more precise your list will be.
How do I target businesses?
After you define your geography, the next step is to identify the type or size of
business you are trying to contact. You can pull all businesses with a specific
geography, certain types of businesses by SIC Code, or certain sizes of businesses
by employee size, sales volume and/or sales growth.
How long will it take to receive my list?
You will be able to download your list within 24 hours of placing your order, but
lists are typically delivered within
2 hours.
How do I save lists to my computer?
- Get your list by clicking on the link in the "Order Complete" email. The file will
open in your browser.
- Click "File" then "Save As". A "Save Web Page" window will appear.
- Change the "Save as type" from "Web Page, complete (*.htm, *.html)" to "Text File
(.txt)".
- Choose the "Save in" location and click "Save". Note where you saved the file.
- Close the Microsoft Internet Explorer Window, closing the data file.
How do I open my list in Excel?
- From within Excel open a blank spreadsheet by clicking on "File" in the top toolbar,
then click "Open".
- On the bottom of the window that pops up, change the "Files of type" selection to
"All Files (*.*)" to make sure you can see the data file.
- At the top of the same pop up window (at "Look in"), locate your file on your computer
or local network.
- Highlight the data file and click "Open". A "Text Import Wizard" will appear.
- Verify that the "Original data type" is set to "Delimited"
(it should be the default). Click "Next".
- Under the "Delimited" section, "Tab" should already be selected. Leave the "Tab"
option checked and check the "Commas" option. The "Data Preview" window should now
show the separate columns.
- Click "Next" then "Finish". The wizard will close and the data in the spreadsheet
will be separated into columns.
- Save the file by clicking "File" then "Save As".
- Change the "Save as type" to "Microsoft Excel Workbook (*.xls)". Verify the "Save
in" location is where you want to save the new file, then click "Save".
When I open my list file in Excel, I cannot
see all the data. How can I fix this?
- Highlight the entire document by clicking the blank cell
in the upper left hand corner of the spreadsheet: the intersection of row 1 and
column A (Above row 1).
- Once the spreadsheet is highlighted, click on "Format" then "Column" then "AutoFit
Selection" and the column width will automatically adjust to the widest entry in
each column.
What is the accuracy rate and deliverability rate of my list?
Consumer Lists: The standard industry acceptable deliverability rate is 90%. We
typically see higher than 90% deliverability on residential lists. Business Lists:
While our business database vendors try to do their very best to keep the data fresh
and the addresses as current as possible, sometimes mail pieces will be returned
as undeliverable. Sometimes as much as 10% is returned due to problems unrelated
to the data collection process.
Why might my list contain addresses that are undeliverable?
Consumer Lists: You may receive some returned mail
because a person has moved within the past 3 weeks,
etc., or a provider has miscoded a file. Consumer lists do go through a rigorous
cleansing process to ensure a high deliverability rate. Business Lists: Over 20%
of businesses relocate each year. Please note that not every business fills out
a change of address form and if they do, it may not be correct. The United States
Postal Service (USPS) has strict rules to prevent mail being incorrectly forwarded
to the wrong business address. Sometimes, these rules prevent the appropriate address
changes and forwarding to be made.
When I look at ZIP codes from Northeastern states that start with zero they only
show up
as 4 digits. How can I fix this?
- Highlight the column with Zip Codes in it by clicking on the letter above the column
of Zip Codes.
- On the top toolbar click on "Format" then "Cells".
- Within the "Number" tab, highlight "Special" from the category field and highlight
"Zip Code" and "OK". Zeros should appear in front of any Zip Code that previously
had only 4 digits.
- Click "File" then "Save" to save the format changes.
What does "usage terms" mean? What's the difference between a one-time use of the
list versus unlimited use?
A one-time use of the list means you may only use the list one time. With unlimited
use, you may use the list as many times as you want for one year. After one year,
you may continue marketing to anyone who responded to your campaign or who became
a client of yours. Those individuals however who never responded to your campaign
can no longer be contacted. In order to contact those individuals after one year,
you would need to re-order the list. We recommend you do this anyway because over
the course of the year, the list will change; names currently on your list will
have moved, some may now be deceased, while others may have asked not to be contacted.
Fresh names will furthermore become available. To maximize the deliverability of
your campaign, it's important that you use the freshest available list.
Are there volume discounts if my company buys many lists?
Yes. If you plan to purchase a large quantity of lists,
call us at 800.732.3440 to set up a corporate account.
How do I change the format of my file/list?
After unzipping/extracting your files into the AccuData folder (or onto your desktop),
check each file type to make sure you have an associated program for each one. If
any of the files are using the "flying windows" icon, it must be renamed.
- Right-click on the file name.
- Choose "rename" from the drop down list, the file name will be highlighted.
- Click the right arrow on your keyboard, which will move the cursor to the end of
the name.
- Type .txt at the end of the file.
Can I create mailing labels from the list?
We recommend that you download your list first into Excel format and following the
Excel directions for creating mailing labels. If you have any questions or need
assistance, please contact a Data Specialist at 800.732.3440.
How much do labels cost?
Mailing labels can be provided at an additional cost. Minimums and shipping charges
may apply.
What will my labels look like?
Labels are provided in various formats. Please check with your mailing service provider
to ensure sheet and label sizes are compatible with equipment specifications.
When will I receive my labels?
Mailing labels will be received within 2-3 business days from the time that your
order is placed
What is AccuData/AccuLeads Privacy Policy?
AccuData has developed a Privacy Policy with a promise to keep the information you
provide us secure since you need to provide us with specific data to register for
an AccuLeads' Account. Identifying contact information when you register for AccuLeads.com,
we collect the following information pertaining to you and your business:
- Name
- Company name
- Job Title
- Postal address
- Email address
- Website
- Phone number
- Fax number (optional)
- Type of business
- Number of records
We use your information for authentication and billing purposes, and to learn from
you to help us personalize and continually improve your query/count and order experience
with AccuLeads. We also use your information to notify you of other AccuLeads and
AccuData products and services that might interest you.
Credit Card Information AccuData collects credit card information solely to complete
your transaction on AccuLeads. AccuData will never willfully disclose any credit
card information to any third party for any purpose.
Once you register and sign-in, you can update and/or correct your own registration
information through AccuLeads' My Account information by:
- Updating or correcting any address information that you entered previously
- Updating or changing your password
- Updating or changing you email address
What about consumers/businesses who have requested to be removed from mailings lists?
Consumer Lists:
Every month our database vendors purge from their database the file names that appear
in the Do-Not-Call databases administered by the Direct Marketing Association (DMA)
and State Attorney's General (SAG) for participating states.
Business Lists:
If a privately owned company asks to be de-listed, or removed, our database vendors
will remove the business from their marketing file. Regulations do not require data
companies to maintain a Do-Not-Call list for businesses.
How will you know if I use the list more than once?
Included in every list we deliver to our clients is at least one extra name that
the client does not pay for. This is called a seeded name. When a mail piece or
phone call is made to that seeded name, we record the client responsible for the
campaign. Therefore, if a client has ordered a list for a one-time use and the seeded
name is contacted twice, at that point the client is in violation of the usage agreement
and will become responsible for paying AccuData America the multi-use price for
the list. The purpose of a seeded name is to make sure our clients are using the
lists we provide properly, and not for any illegal, hateful, nor privacy-infringing
means.
Are my transactions secure?
Our secure server protects your credit card transactions and your account information
on AccuLeads. Our secure server software (SSL) encrypts the personal information
you input before it is sent to us, so that it cannot be read by an outside computer.

If I am a data reseller, can I provide my client with access
to mailing list databases from my own website?
AccuData America provides you the opportunity to offer your clients access to databases
and mailing lists from your own existing website. The AccuStoreSite and AccuDataPipe
services increase your revenue stream by providing your clients with direct access
to numerous databases while still maintaining your client relationships. Contact
an AccuData Expert today at 800.732.3440 and maximize your marketing efforts to
grow your business from your own existing website.
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