Despite being one of the most crucial customer details, addresses are typically subject to errors such as typos and omissions. That’s why address verification is an integral part of any successful business model. There are lots of ways to do that, but the most effective and reliable is to implement an address lookup API.
However, since these APIs are built differently, you have to make sure you’re choosing the right one for your business. But how? Here are the top factors to consider:
1. Proper Standardisation
For a validation API to do its job properly it should be capable of standardising data to match the format of the authorised list. That ensures uniformity and consistency when displaying results. A premium address lookup API from a top provider like Trestle goes beyond just standardising data but is also tweaked to meet authoritative standards.
By acquiring data straight from reliable sources, you are sure you are receiving reliable, up-to-date results.
2. Multiple Input Types
People use different systems to store their information and won’t go the extra mile to convert it into standard forms due to the effort and time required. Make sure you choose an address lookup API that can work with multiple input data types to give you the flexibility and convenience you need.
A good API will accept multiple data types and then standardise the data to make it understandable. This means accepting clean as well as dirty data. Good examples of dirty data include misspellings or missing information. Sometimes, users may even input the wrong ZIP Codes or cities. An expertly created API should be able to clean the data to minimise your input.
3. Update Frequency
When using an API for validation purposes, you want it to be as dependable as possible. One of the best ways to ensure this is to work with a regularly updated API system. Not only should the tool use the most recent and more dependable data-fetching methods, but it should also be connected to a well-kept database.
4. Scalability and Flexibility
Some APIs are only capable of processing a single address at a time, and if your business experiences user registration surges frequently or is just a large business with multiple customers, such an API can be quite inefficient. When choosing an address lookup API, make sure it has the data handling capacity you need to work effectively.
It’s always a good idea to choose a scalable API so you are always sure it will handle your needs as they fluctuate. When checking the batch-processing capabilities of an API, also make sure to check its processing speed. You should also prioritise getting a flexible API – one that can be used from any location and at any time.
5. Uptime and Output Consistency
You don’t want to purchase an address lookup API that will only be available sometimes. An API that isn’t dependable enough can fail when you need it the most, ruining your overall experience. That’s why you only want to pick validation software with a high uptime guarantee.
Additionally, make sure the API you choose gives consistent results at all times even when you feed a large batch of data. At the same time, it should be easy to use at all times, whether you are processing a single address or a larger batch.
Don’t Fumble. Get an API You Can Rely on Today.
Getting the right address lookup API for your business will not only give you the great results you’re after when it comes to verifying user data but also an amazing ROI. You want to make sure you select a tool that has all the bells and whistles and is easy to integrate into your existing workflows.
As one of the leading data verification, validation, and enrichment API providers, Trestle gives you this and more. So if you’re looking for a perfect place to begin your search, head over to trestleiq.com and see what’s on offer.
