Data Appends: What They Are and What You Need to Know
Most people think that NCOA is just for Direct Mail, but did you know that NCOA processing can greatly improve your match rates on phone appends, email appends, and demographic appends? Typically, about 20% of households move each year. Keeping track of move updates and data changes is a constant challenge for companies. However, the NCOA file is updated weekly and typically most append database are updated weekly or monthly to ensure an accurate match.
What Are Data Appends?
Data appends are a combination of the customer’s list and vendor’s database. Successful appends depend on the quality of both databases being merged. The most important factor of appending is the accuracy of the addresses in your file and database.
Phone Appending and NCOA Processing
For this reason, a phone append is offered as a combined service with National Change of Address (NCOA). These two services work together to provide the most up to date information. With a validated address from NCOA, it is easy to find an associated phone number through a phone append. This process also works in reverse; is is easy to find a deliverable address based off of a 10-digit phone number.
In this digital age, it is easy to understand that it is common for one person to have multiple email addresses or cell phone numbers. However, email addresses and cell phones tend to move with people.
Email Appending
Email change of address is not a priority like a postal change of address. Certain marketing campaigns do find this service incredibly helpful and beneficial. Finding the correct active email address can be challenging depending on the age and demographic makeup of the file. Most compilers have 3 or more emails for a household. By matching the last known IP address is with a current postal address and date/time stamp, it is possible to prioritize more current emails. Similar to other appends, an email append just adds another line of communication to your customer.
Wireless phone numbers are similar to email addresses in the sense that they go with an individual when they move. However, mobile phones are more stable than email addresses because there is, normally, only one per individual. When appending a wireless phone, you can typically match on an individual or household level depending on the campaign objective.
Getting Started With Data Appends
Before running any type of phone, email, or demographic append, consult with one of our data consultants. We can help you see how our NCOA processing could give you better match results on your data appends!
Most people think that NCOA is just for Direct Mail, but did you know that NCOA processing can greatly improve your match rates on phone, email, and demographic appends? Typically, about 20% of households move each year. Keeping track of move updates and data changes is a constant challenge for companies. Most append databases are updated with the NCOA files on a weekly basis to ensure an accurate match.
A Few of the Appends we Offer
Consult With a Data Consultant Today
If combining an append with NCOA, FreeNCOA.com will apply the cost of the NCOA towards the append. Contact us today with specific matching questions by emailing your account representative or call 800-531-2601.
If you’d like to see a complete list of the demographic appends we offer, click here
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Very good written article. It will be supportive to anyone who utilizes it, including me. Keep doing what you are doing – can’t wait to read more posts.