Do you have address validation in place?
Every country has its unique way to define an address, for postal operations. The change rate is very high, and it’s impossible for a company to keep up with them. Only in the US, the United States Postal Service (USPS) adds more than 4000 addresses to its delivery network every day. In this blog post, we will discuss the significance of address validation, the different approaches to it, and how it can benefit your business.
What is the difference between address verification and address validation?
Address verification and address validation, despite being similar, address verification goes beyond validating that an address exists. Address verification confirms whether an address is correct or not, and deliverable. The process is done by comparing them against third-party reference data. Sometimes it needs correction, to improve the location services operation.
Address validation is a crucial process to confirm and verify that an address is accurate and deliverable. It is an essential step in logistics, eCommerce, and shipping processes, as incomplete or incorrect addresses can cause delivery delays, lost packages, and dissatisfied customers.
The Importance of Address Validation
Address validation is critical to ensure a package or shipment reaches its intended destination. Inaccurate or incomplete addresses can result in the package being returned to the sender, which can be expensive and time-consuming. Address validation can also prevent fraud by confirming that the billing and shipping addresses match, preventing unauthorized transactions.
Furthermore, address validation can improve customer satisfaction by ensuring that deliveries reach the correct address and are delivered on time. It can also reduce customer service inquiries related to delivery problems, leading to an overall better customer experience.
How to validate a client’s address?
There are various methods to include such a process in the checkout phase:
- Address Standardization: This involves standardizing the address format, including abbreviations and capitalization, to meet the postal service’s requirements.
- Address Verification: This involves confirming that the address exists and is deliverable. This can be done through postal service databases, third-party address verification services, or by physically verifying the address.
- Geocoding: This involves assigning latitude and longitude coordinates to an address, which can be used for location-based services.
- Address Autocomplete: This feature suggests potential addresses as the user types in online forms, making it easier to enter the address correctly.
What are the benefits?
There are many benefits of having the validation process in the checkout phase for your business. The most important are:
- Improved Efficiency: Improve the accuracy and speed of shipping and logistics processes, reducing the number of returned packages and increasing delivery efficiency.
- Reduced Costs: By reducing the number of returned packages and improving delivery efficiency, businesses can save on shipping and handling costs.
- Better Customer Experience: ensure the deliveries reach the correct address on time, resulting in an overall better customer experience.
- Fraud Prevention: Address validation can help prevent fraudulent transactions by confirming that the billing and shipping addresses match.
How can Logistia Route Planner help?
Logistia Route Planner uses more than one provider to verify and validate the address, making sure the delivery point is exactly where you would expect it to be. You can add your stops using a file, or import them from your e-commerce shop, and be assured Logistia will take care of the validation. Drivers will go straight to the customer’s door, without the need to call for further instructions.
Conclusion
Address validation is a crucial step in any shipping, logistics, or eCommerce process. It helps ensure that packages are delivered accurately and on time, improving customer satisfaction and reducing costs. By utilizing any of the methods exposed in this article such as address standardization, verification, geocoding, and autocomplete, businesses can improve their efficiency, reduce costs, and prevent fraud. Implementing address validation in your business can be a simple change that can significantly impact your bottom line.
