Modern online business is all about customer relationships. And they start with gathering the right information about them, such as email addresses. If you’ve ever wondered how to effectively and efficiently build your address database, we’ve prepared practical tips for you. The following guide describes four key steps that will help you quickly and conveniently build a database of valuable email addresses.
Step 1: Collect valuable data
Name, gender, age, GSM number, interests – this information, combined with an email address, is key to understanding and effectively reaching your customer. Focus on collecting such data to better tailor message content to your audience’s preferences.
Step 2: Perform regular verification of your base
Always remember to build a confirmed base according to the double opt-in principle. Generate a subscription form from within your system and post it on your website to regularly increase your base. In this way, your website will be fully integrated with your account in the system, which will significantly increase your opportunities.
Step 3: Import the existing database into the system
Using an integration with your CRM or other database system, all customers who make a purchase from your store can automatically go to your mailing system. Use a connection via Rest Api or Rest SOAP for this purpose. If you have an Excel database of contacts, you can easily import it into the SARE system by using the ‘import addresses’ function and adding a file saved in csv format. Remember that you can set different address statuses. If you are importing a base that has not yet been verified (you don’t have approval), we recommend importing this base with the status ‘no verification’. You can later execute a special verification mailing to these addresses and ask recipients if they want to receive messages from you. On the other hand, if you already have consents, you can import the addresses with the status ‘saved and confirmed’.
Step 4: Systematically expand your base
You can grow your email address database in many ways, using a variety of tools. Here are some of them:
- Publish newsletters on Facebook
- Use pop-up forms
- Use dispatches to external databases
- Hold contests (including: SMS contests, “refer a friend” contests, contests that encourage people to sign up)
- Participate in trade fairs and conferences, taking care to obtain information
- Distribute surveys, information in newspapers sent to customers, flyers and social media
- Collect addresses through friends – this is often very effective!
- Use Landing Pages
Remember that building a valuable email address base is a process. It’s not a one-time task, but a regular activity that yields better and better results.