Right now, many businesses are trying to find lead providers in an effort to jumpstart their sales in a failing economy. While leads are a fantastic way to boost sales, it is absolutely necessary to do due diligence before you pick lead providers. Unfortunately, there are quite a few out there that are not legitimate. Here are some easy ways to help you separate the good from the bad and save money.
1. Never believe testimonials. It’s a sad state of affairs, but many online companies simply add fake testimonials to their page. Since this practice is so wide spread, there is really no way to tell whether or not the testimonials are real, unless they offer some way of contacting them through their site. If they do, follow up with each individual.
2. Ask for recommendations. Before you pick lead providers, ask them to supply you with references and recommendations. Be wary if they only point you to their testimonial page, or offer you recommendations that cannot be followed up with. If you are given references, take the time to contact each one before proceeding.
3. Search the Better Business Bureau Database. The BBB has all of their databases online and it has never been easier to follow up on a company and perform due diligence. You can use the name of the principal, their phone number, address in addition to their company name. Many fly by night organizations however may be smart enough to keep changing this information to avoid detection.
4. Search for other customers. The internet is a pretty small place all things considered and if one person has been burned trying to find lead providers, chances are they’re going to let other people know. Go to your favorite search engine and type in the company name + scam and see what comes up.
5. To good to be true – it is. If you find lead providers offering fantastic deals on leads that would otherwise be quite costly, be suspicious. Quality leads are not cheap and unless there is a special promotion, be very wary of any company that is simply offering prices that are too low.
6. Ask questions. Don’t be afraid to ask a company questions while you do due diligence. Pay attention to how they respond to you. If they are friendly and reply within normal business hours, chances are you are dealing with a company that is at least devoted to customer service. If not, it’s best to cut your losses ahead of time.
7. Pick Honest Lead Providers. You can use all of these criteria to narrow down your list until you find the ones that are legitimate. While it may be impossible to detect fraud with all companies, this list will help you navigate these sometimes treacherous waters and give you the edge you need to get a great deal that is real, and not phony.
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Want more information about Kaleidico's lead management software or services call 866.667.5253 or visit www.kaleidico.com.
