Sending out emails and newsletters to an email address that is no longer working or is invalid will not only clog up your mailbox with non-deliverable addresses but will also cost you money in service charges. Last year, wrong address information cost U.S. businesses more than 6 billion dollars. Thankfully, there are many providers of address verification software that offer solutions to help you verify customer addresses.

Your products, mailings, payments and bills will reach their destinations with postal address verification software programs, since these programs meet U.S. Postal regulations. Here are some additional things to consider about making the most of address verification software:

1. Make sure your business mail is delivered with solutions from address verification software providers.

2. Eliminate unnecessary postal charges by using address verification software applications that clean out incorrect address data information.

3. Use a web-based mailing address verification software solution to verify address information from customers using your website.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Ensure business mail delivery by using products from address verification software suppliers

Use address verification software solutions to make sure that packages, as well as billing and payments get to their correct destinations. Some programs come with features that automatically correct wrong client information and zip codes, which is a great tool for you as a business owner.

I recommend: Read about features such as address and zip code verification and correction services offered by Melissa DATA, which are providers of address verification solutions to business owners. Go to Intelligent Search Technology to see the features of its USPS-certified address verification software system, which offers features like an interactive address look-alike utility and address conversion functions. Read about how the United States Postal Service is working to improve the accuracy of addresses and zip codes with its CASS system.

Save money with address verification software systems that clean out and correct bad data

Since it can cost you as much $10 per package for every package you send out to a wrong address, having address verification solutions that clean out incorrect addresses and automatically correct them is invaluable to you as a business owner.

I recommend: Go to Pitney Bowes, which offers a global address cleansing software program that verifies addresses in more than 230 countries. Email Marking Software has an address verifier that cleanses out incorrect email addresses to keep mail lists clean of wrong data information. National Change of Address offers address verification services created by the USPS.

Verify website visitor information with web-based mailing address verification software

There are also web-based mailing verification software solutions that you can use to ensure that visitors to your website are inputting correct address information. This will save your and your business time, energy and money from return shipment fees from the USPS.

I recommend: Visit QAS to learn about its web-based mailing address verification software program that offers online address validation as well as enhanced website functionality so that your customers can be assured that your products will be delivered to the correct addresses. Qualified Address offers a web-based address verification program made to help doctor's offices and hospitals verify the address information for patients. Learn how to verify email address so you won't lose sales at SitePoint.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Download free demonstration downloads offered by many address verification solution providers to test out the software and see if it meets the needs of your business.

Address verification software can prove itself as an important solution for any business owner. Businesses that rely on mailings for their sales will benefit from having the correct address on file.

When you put in place address verification software systems, the program will most likely perform several different functions for you. First of all, it corrects the addresses entered into your system and checks it against USPS standards. Mailing address verification software also removes undeliverable addresses from your database.

1. Decide between traditional and web-based mailing address verification software. With web-based mailing address verification software, you get real time solutions with the most up to date information from USPS. For traditional software programs, you'll use the preloaded information and rely on software updates to keep data current.

2. Look at the features of the different address verification services. You’ll want mailing verification systems that offer you the most comprehensive address verification solutions.

3. Find address verification software providers. After comparing the products available, purchase and install the address verification software system.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Compare address verification services

When shopping around for mailing address verification software, you need to compare the prices and the features of each program. You'll also want to look for an address verification solution approved by the USPS.

I recommend: With CorrectAddress, you get address verification features backed by the USPS. To test the program, opt for a software demo before purchase. For address verification solutions, visit the USPS website. You’ll find listings of address matching software, address element correction programs and delivery point validation services.

Get a web-based mailing address verification software solution

When you find address verification software providers with web based solutions, you know you're getting the most up to date mailing information possible. Web based programs get updated automatically to reflect zip code changes, route alterations and forwarded addresses.

I recommend: Purchase the QAS Web Pro for a reliable web-based address verification application. Contact Qualified Address via an online form to receive pricing information on their web-based address verification solutions.

Purchase address verification software with extra features

When you locate address verification software suppliers, you'll want to see the different things their systems offer to business owners. Besides address verification services, many programs offer postal presorting, automated addressing and corrections made to data at point of entry.

I recommend: With the MailRoom ToolKit from Satori Software, you can get an address verification software program with all the added features to make your bulk mailings get sent efficiently. Through MelissaData, you can access a range of address verification software systems with both address and phone verification.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  For bulk mailings, the United States Post Office estimates that about 3% gets returned to the sender as undeliverable as addressed. With postal address verification software, you'll save on the cost of postage due to the higher mailing accuracy.

As a business owner who conducts sales online, you probably think investing in address verification software is a great idea. You're right. Mailing lists need to be kept clean, and if you can't count on prospects to provide you with updated information, address verification software can step in and make sure that you're sending materials to the right people.

Address verification software systems exist to take the time and hassle out of confirming addresses. Web-based mailing address verification software offers a quick, easily accessible and supported solution to the problem of differentiating addresses that are legit from those that aren't. If you're thinking about investing in an address verification solution, consider that:

1. Different address verification services can be bought to mirror your business's needs.

2. Good address verification solutions save you money by alerting you of incorrect addresses.

3. Address verification software education and training can help you utilize the software's functionality.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look for address verification software training on software websites

One way to learn about how to operate address verification software is to reference manufacturer websites. Oftentimes, manufacturers anticipate the need for customer training and provide it. There's no better way to learn about an address verification software system than to take lessons from the producers of it.

I recommend: Satori Software provides online training and even offers custom training sessions to fit the needs of any client. Pitney Bowes requires that you sign up for training on their support page.

Check address verification software resource libraries for webinars and tutorials

Sometimes, training can come in alternative forms. Although not usually considered official training because of its lack of fees and accessibility, a lot of educational material can be found in these areas of your software's website.

I recommend: DataFlux has a library full of white papers, articles, web seminars and podcasts to help clients gain full perspective of the software. Melissa DATA offers the same, along with data sheets, webcasts and tutorials.

Get a combination of online and offline training from address verification software providers

Address verification software suppliers know that familiarizing clients with the software online and then teaching them one-on-one is a great way to get clients comfortable with using the software.

I recommend: Qualified Address provides just these types of solutions. DQ Global also offers on-site and online training options for customers, clients and others who are interested in learning the software and mastering its functionality.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Not all address verification software functions in the same way. You may have to pay more for 'extra' features such as verifying apartments. Make sure you're purchasing the right software for your business.

Address verification software programs are a useful tool for many businesses. These programs make it easy to stay in contact with your clients and business contacts through postal mail or email. The price you pay for these programs depends on the features and upgrades you choose.

When you are preparing your budget to cover address verification software pricing and costs, consider the following points:

1. Ensure that 'snail mail' gets to the right customer with postal address verification software.

2. Make sure you have valid email addresses for customers and contacts.

3. Purchase add ons and upgrades to make the programs you purchase work for your company's needs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Consider the cost of postal address verification software

Postal address verification software can save your company money on wasted postage. These programs work with the United States Postal Service to use only valid mailing addresses. The price you pay for these programs depends upon whether you want a pay per use program or a software package that you install onto your computer.

I recommend: The Software Company sells address verification software. Prices start at around $500 and go up to around $2,500, depending on the type of license you need. G-Lock offers mailing address verification software starting at around $150. CDYNE is a web-based mailing address verification software provider. Monthly subscriptions to the service start at under $40 per month. Address checks are billed on a per check basis. The cost of each check is dependent upon the number of checks done in a month. For under 1,000 checks, the price is 3.5 cents per check, while the price for over 500,000 checks is less than 1 cent per check.

Price email address verification software

If your business uses email instead of postal mail as a primary contact method, an email address verification system can save you a considerable amount of time. These programs are ideal for subscription services, companies that use an email address to identify customers or for companies who advertise via email. The price you pay for these programs depends upon the features you want.

I recommend: Atom Park Software sells email address verification software systems starting at under $50. This company also offers quantity discounts and software packages. Live Software offers email address verification software applications. The basic module is priced at under $30, while the full email address verification software system is priced around $150.

Remember to save room in the budget for add ons for your address verification software

Add ons, such as conversion programs or change of address updates, can enhance your address verification software program. These add ons enable you to keep in touch with your customers and contacts, even if they move often. These programs are especially helpful if your service area goes through an emergency services address update process in which addresses will change.

I recommend: Runner Technologies sells address verification software starting at around $1,500 for the base program. Add ons are available for the address verification software. An HTML to PDF conversion module is available for around $50, while Araxis merge is priced around $130 per user. Satori Software sells address verification solution software for around $1,500. For an additional $150, you can add a one year subscription to change of address verification services.