So, you want to increase your lead volume and are considering purchasing them? Is that correct? Of course, why else would you be reading this blog? Well, you’re in luck, because in this blog we’ll go over exactly what you need to know when it comes to lead purchase options for B2B businesses.
As a B2B supplier, the thought of purchasing leads has probably crossed your mind. And the other thought of a wasted investment has also crossed it. But that’s what growing your business is all about, testing different avenues to help you succeed. Given that 65% of companies say generating leads is their biggest challenge, why not give lead purchasing a shot?
Now, we’re not saying to give up organic lead generation. Organic methods like content marketing and networking are invaluable and should be continued. But just because something is invaluable, doesn’t mean it’s not also time-consuming…and slow.
Enter lead purchasing— the lead generation option that allows you to buy the quality leads you’re looking for. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, you don’t want to just go with any company, that’s how wasted investments happen. So when it comes to purchasing leads, you’ll want to do your homework, which is what we did for you. So think of this blog as your cheat sheet.
What is lead purchasing, where can you buy leads, and how do you know if they’re any good? In this article, we’ll be answering those questions and highlighting our recommendations for the top lead purchase options for B2B businesses. Without further ado, let’s dive in and explore how buying leads can transform your sales strategy!
What is a Lead Purchase?
Let’s start this journey by going over what lead purchasing is. A lead purchase involves buying contact information and other relevant details about potential customers from a third-party provider. The leads are usually segmented based on their industry, geographic location, company size, etc. So, essentially, the company you’re purchasing from has done the work of gathering leads that fit your needs, and provide you with their information. This can be done by various means like quote forms, surveys, lists, etc.
What does this do for you? These leads you’re purchasing have shown interest in one way or another in your product or service, making it easier for your sales team to convert them into customers.
When Should You Purchase Leads?
So, you know what lead purchasing is, but when should you use it? It can be beneficial for B2B businesses to purchase leads if you’re:
- Struggling to generate leads through traditional methods (cold calling, social media, networking, direct mail, referrals)
- Considering launching new products or services
- Looking to expand into a new market
- Testing new sales approaches
- Scaling business growth
What Types of Leads Can You Buy?
You’ve decided you want to buy leads, well, what type? Leads, like all other things, come in different shapes and sizes. When you’re shopping around for a lead provider you’ll notice their offerings sound similar, so it’s important to go in beforehand knowing what you’re looking for and what questions to ask so you’re not blindsided by leads or a price that isn’t what you were expecting.
Lead providers offer a variety of lead types suited to different business needs…and budgets. Common types include:
- Cold Leads: Prospects who haven’t expressed interest in your products but fit your target criteria.
- Warm Leads: Prospects who have shown some level of interest, such as downloading a whitepaper or attending a webinar.
- Hot Leads: Highly interested prospects, often ready to make a purchase decision soon.
Overall, it’s important to determine what type of lead you’re looking for when establishing a budget and expectations. Also, be aware that when shopping for leads, you’ll run into companies that are just giving you tools to generate leads, not provide leads, so be sure to do thorough research or you may accidentally pay for a DIY platform.
Where to Buy Leads?
As we mentioned, when shopping for leads, you’ll run into lead providers that offer different solutions that may not be exactly what you’re looking for. We’re no longer talking about the type of lead, instead, we’re discussing the type of product/service the lead provider offers.
When it comes to buying leads it’ll often be from a digital marketplace or contact provider, we’ve provided a summary of both options below.
- Digital Marketplace: Digital marketplaces are online platforms where businesses can buy and sell leads. These marketplaces provide a variety of lead-generation services tailored to specific industries and business needs.
- Database/Contact Providers: Database and Contact providers specialize in offering accurate and up-to-date contact information for potential leads. These providers often maintain extensive databases of business contacts, including email addresses, phone numbers, and other relevant details.
- Tools vs Service: Between a digital marketplace and database/contact provider you’ll then need to determine if you’re looking for a tool or service. A tool/software provider will provide what you need to install or integrate to start succeeding, whereas a service provider can do something similar in addition to providing guidance and is more relationship-focused.
Related: Top 7 Signs Your B2B Business Can Benefit From A Lead Generation Company
Top 10 Lead Purchase Options for B2B Businesses
You know what lead purchasing is, when your business should consider it, and the types of leads and lead providers available. Now that you’re equipped with this knowledge we can go over the top 10 lead purchase options for B2B businesses, and provide you a comprehensive overview to help you make an informed decision.
1. 360Connect
Starting strong we have 360Connect, a trusted lead generation service that specializes in connecting B2B suppliers with high-quality leads. 360Connect provides leads across a variety of industries including construction, medical, office equipment, and more. By focusing on understanding each client’s unique needs, 360Connect tailors its lead generation efforts, ensuring that the leads you receive are targeted and likely to convert.
Their platform allows businesses to receive real-time leads, giving sales teams the immediate opportunity to engage with potential customers. This can be particularly beneficial for businesses that need a steady and reliable flow of leads to maintain their sales momentum.
In addition, because of their mission to “focus on your success,” they provide a strong dedication to the unique needs of each client and assign a dedicated client success manager for your business.
Features:
- Customizable lead criteria
- Dedicated account management
- Real-time lead delivery
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| High-quality, vetted leads | The premium service is priced accordingly |
| Excellent customer support | May require a commitment |
| Industry-specific targeting |
Best for:
360Connect is ideal for B2B businesses that require high-quality, industry-specific leads and value personalized support. Companies that benefit most from 360Connect’s services are those in niche markets looking to scale their operations efficiently.
2. LinkedIn Sales Navigator
An easy-to-use software on a platform that you already use daily? Need we say more? LinkedIn Sales Navigator is a powerful tool for salespeople designed to help identify and connect with prospects. By leveraging LinkedIn’s vast network of professionals, you’re able to use advanced tools and filters to boost your sales performance. Find the right leads with LinkedIn Sales Navigator, and learn more about their backgrounds.
Features:
- Advanced search filters
- Lead recommendations
- InMail messaging
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Access to a vast network of professionals | Subscription can be expensive |
| Detailed lead insights | Requires active engagement |
| Integration with CRM systems | Limited to only people on LinkedIn |
Best for:
LinkedIn Sales Navigator is best suited for businesses that rely on building professional relationships and need detailed insights into their prospects.
3. UpLead
Looking for real-time verified contact information? Look no further than UPLead. UpLead is a user-friendly lead gen platform that emphasizes the quality and accuracy of its contact information. With an expansive database, UpLeads scrapes millions of contacts and provides top prospect information to their customers.
Features:
- Real-time email verification
- Extensive contact database
- CRM integration
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Affordable pricing | Limited advanced features |
| High data accuracy | Smaller database compared to competitors |
| Easy-to-use interface |
Best for:
UpLead is best suited for small to medium-sized businesses looking for an affordable yet reliable lead-generation solution.
4. Kompass
Kompas is a lead purchase option for companies looking to identify and connect with potential leads on a global scale. The platform covers a wide range of industries.
Features:
- Global B2B directory
- Advanced search features
- Data enrichment services
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Extensive global coverage | Subscription costs can be high |
| Detailed company information | Requires time to navigate and filter results |
| Accurate and up-to-date data |
Best for:
Kompass is ideal for businesses looking for global lead generation solutions and accurate company information. It’s particularly useful for companies expanding into new international markets.
5. Cognism
Looking for quality sales data? Cognism provides robust data using AI and human verification to provide customers access to a large database of compliant contact information.
Features:
- AI-powered lead generation
- Compliance with data protection regulations
- Data enrichment and sales triggers
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| High-quality, targeted leads | Subscription costs can be high |
| Strong focus on data compliance | Learning curve for new users |
| AI and machine learning enhance lead accuracy |
Best for:
Cognism is ideal for businesses that need compliant and high-quality leads, especially those in regulated industries that require accurate and up-to-date contact information.
6.ThomasNet
ThomasNet is a lead purchase platform for buyers and suppliers in the manufacturing industry. The platform provides access to a vast database of suppliers, detailed company profiles, and product catalogs.
Features:
- Extensive supplier database
- Detailed company profiles
- Product catalogs
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Focus on industrial and manufacturing sectors | Limited to specific industries |
| Comprehensive supplier information | Subscription costs can be high |
| Facilitates supplier comparisons |
Best for:
ThomasNet is ideal for businesses in the industrial and manufacturing sectors.
7. ZoomInfo
ZoomInfo is a leading software that helps companies grow their business in multiple sectors including sales, marketing, operations, DaaS, and talent. In terms of lead purchase, ZoomInfo is most notable for its capabilities in the sales region of helping connect suppliers with potential leads. It provides detailed information on companies and their key decision-makers.
Features:
- Extensive database of contacts
- Advanced filtering options
- Data enrichment services
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| High-quality, accurate data | Can be pricey |
| Easy integration with various CRMs | Learning curve for new users |
| Regularly updated database |
Best for:
ZoomInfo is ideal and useful for large enterprises and organizations with complex sales processes that need detailed insights into potential leads.
8. Data Axle
Data Axle provides extensive data solutions to improve its customer’s lead generation. Their database includes millions of contacts across various industries. Offering detailed information such as phone numbers, email addresses, and company profiles.
Features:
- Extensive contact database
- Detailed business and consumer information
- Customizable search criteria
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Large database of contacts | Subscription costs can be high |
| Detailed information | Data accuracy may vary |
| Customizable lead searches |
Best for:
Data Axle is ideal for businesses that need access to a large and detailed contact database.
9. Lead411
The 411 on Lead411 is that it’s an unlimited data provider in the lead purchase sector. Lead411 provides sales intelligence and prospecting tools to help connect suppliers with warmer B2B leads.
Features:
- Verified email addresses
- Company news and triggers
- Chrome extension for prospecting
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Affordable plans | Limited global coverage |
| Reliable contact information | Fewer advanced search options |
| User-friendly platform |
Best for:
Lead411 is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses looking for an affordable and reliable source of lead information.
10. Lusha
Lusha is a leading solution for suppliers looking to reach decision-makers. It provides contact and company information for sales and marketing teams. With a focus on simplicity and ease of use, it offers verified email addresses and direct phone numbers, helping sales professionals reach their prospects quickly and efficiently.
Features:
- Verified contact details
- Chrome extension for prospecting
- Easy CRM integration
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Affordable and flexible pricing | Smaller database |
| User-friendly interface | Limited advanced features |
| Accurate data |
Best for:
Lusha is ideal for businesses that need reliable contact information for their sales outreach.
How Do You Pick the Right Lead Purchase Platform?
After reading over the top options, you may still be wondering which is the right lead purchase platform for your business. That’s understandable, take a moment, and consider the following when making your decision:
- Lead Quality: Ensure the provider offers the type of lead you’re looking for and in the delivery method that works best for you.
- Customization: Ensure the platform allows you to tailor leads based on your specific needs, whether that be location, industry, etc.
- Integration: Check if the platform integrates with your existing CRM and sales tools.
- Cost: Compare pricing plans to find one that fits your budget.
- Related: The High Cost of “Cheap” Leads
- Support: Consider the level of customer support and additional resources offered.
Final Thoughts on Lead Purchase Solutions
Lead purchase can be a great option to help boost your business’s growth. By choosing the right platform, you can bring in a steady stream of high-quality prospects. However, remember to evaluate your options carefully and consider factors like lead quality, cost, and support. We hope our lead purchase cheat sheet has helped, and with the right approach, you can drive your business forward.
Related: What to Expect When You Become a New Lead Partner
Grow Your Business with 360Connect
Are you ready to supercharge your sales with high-quality leads? Look no further than 360Connect, the trusted choice for connecting with buyers searching for your solutions.
Take the first step toward smarter lead purchasing – Join 360Connect today!