Primary data source
On this pageWhat it is
What it is
Every prospecting tool gets its contact and company data from somewhere. Some build and maintain their own database, some collect public information from websites and professional networks, some rely on contacts shared by their users, and some combine several providers and let you choose between them. For example, a tool might find an email address by checking a company's domain and common name patterns, while another returns a verified record it already holds.
Why it matters
The source decides how accurate, fresh and legal the data is. A large database can still be full of outdated job titles, and a smaller one with regular checks can bounce less. The source also matters for privacy, because you need to know how the people on your list were found and whether you can contact them. You should look closely at this when you buy data for a large campaign, work in Europe or sell to a narrow market. It matters less if you only enrich a few hundred contacts you already know.
Two tools with the same price and similar features can behave very differently if their data comes from different places.
What to check
- Where does each field come from, and how often is it refreshed or re-verified?
- What happens to bounced or outdated records, and do you get credits back?
- How does the vendor describe its legal basis for holding and selling the data?
- Can you test the data against a list you already know is correct before you commit?
Tools with Primary data source
Also in other categories
Tools filed under other categories that have Primary data source.