You can always go to the United State Postal Service office and ask for a newly updated list of change-of-address information, but this can be time-consuming. The USPS gets change of address information almost every day of the year, so you would constantly need to use their services. This information is called the National Change of Address link service (NCOA Link) and is a secure database of permanent COA records that are available to mailers. However, it is usually best to go through a service provider and software is available to make it easier.
Reasons to Use
The NCOA link service must be used if your business wants to get bulk mail rates and can be a simple process once you get the software. You should use the NCOA link service on your mailing list before sending out any new direct mail to customers and potentials. Whether or not you maintain your database or purchase mailing lists, you should use the software before sending out a mailing because it will minimize the amount of Undeliverable As Addressed (UAA) mail sent to the USPS.
How to Use
NCOA Link is a service created by the United States Postal Service and other companies have created software that uses this service, among others. You want to use a licensed product and can then provide accurate or updated information about your businesses, families and individuals.
This service will not only tell you that someone on your list has moved, but will tell you where and whether it is still local or if it is a foreign move. You may still wish to send them something if they have moved to a foreign country, but more than likely, you are using your direct mail to attract them to your location, which isn’t possible unless you also run an online business of products that can easily be shipped to their new country.
In some cases, people will leave no forwarding address and will not put in a COA (Change of Address). In this case, you won’t be able to send them mail, but will be assured that the current address is false. You may still want to send “to current resident†mailings to get more potential sales, however.
Once you have an address changed in your list, it will automatically be standardized to the USPS preferred mailing way, so there is no need to get different software for this function.
The NCOA Link Service can only be provided by licensed companies. Consider Anchor Computer Software for your licensed product. Click here to visit their website for more information.
