What is data hygiene, and why is it so important?
What is data hygiene? Data hygiene is also known as data cleansing, and this is one of the prerequisites of a successful business. However, not everyone is familiar with the depth of this concept. Simply, it refers to working with clean databases. As well as ensuring the removal of unnecessary or incorrect data. For example, incorrect data is commonly known as “un-cleansed”. This can span from data with irregularities or stored incorrectly to just irrelevant or outdated data.
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Firstly businesses should aim to avoid obtaining un-cleansed data or remove as much of it as possible. This is to ensure high productivity within their organisation. Secondly, only data which is correct is meaningful to a firm. So ideally, from the outset, a clean database should be used. However, this may not always be the case. So the data must be addressed to dispose of any poor data. This process is known as Data Cleansing; there are a few standard procedures for this:
Data Screening
Sometimes errors in a database can include not saving the accurate contact numbers and email addresses of possible clients. Then this can be a nightmare for companies that have to deal with large amounts of data within their campaigns. Data management and cleansing tools thus prevent any issues in data efficiency. Which will have been caused by possible mismanagement. Therefore, this ensures an organisation is smooth working without any obstacles and hindrances. Also, it boosts the efficiency of transactions exponentially.
Manual Cleansing
Data cleansing can also be run manually. But this has to be done by a person who will have to verify all the details. As well as check for any mistakes and irregularities. Their duties also include the disposing of out-of-date records to ensure that only new and relevant data is stored in the database. However, this sort of cleansing is very time-consuming to get the data up to proper hygiene standards. The manual composition of a database is also time-consuming. On the other hand, it is one of the ways that you can guarantee the data meets all the criteria of your specific campaign.
Electronic Data Cleansing
As the name suggests, this kind of B2B data cleansing includes complex operations and is usually done with the help of advanced computer applications. Which follow certain sets of rules controlled by a user. This will include deleting unwanted or outdated records, providing spell checks of different documents simultaneously and getting rid of duplicated files. Which are all processes that contribute to good data hygiene practice. This form of data cleansing is also quite fast in comparison to manual cleansing. However, it could make mistakes such as changing a correct spelling to make it incorrect. Whereas with manual cleaning, the person doing it has to take more care and time when checking. Meaning that they can pick up on the things the program might miss.
Managing data
Managing big and bulky databases is indeed an arduous task. So this will need a lot of care and discipline. It will also take a lot of time no matter which method you use. Therefore, the matter of data cleansing should be focused upon and shouldn’t be ignored. Thanks to the modern age and its digital technology, businesses are now shifting to properly handling, analysing, and storing raw data. This art of managing data and converting the raw data into valuable information catered to each campaign is extremely vital for the survival of businesses. Focusing on any data concerns lets you smoothly and efficiently run your business. Also, it allows you to focus on other important business matters. As well as not wasting time and money.
Consequences of uncleansed data
The consequences of storing uncleansed business data are serious. This can include increased expenditures on printing and postage for direct mail campaigns or a waste of any telemarketing staff’s time and profitability within telesales. Hence, any organisation should take serious measures against the accumulation of unclean databases. And therefore should maintain high expectations for the quality of any data that they purchase.
If you have any questions or want to enquire, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Business Data Prospects by calling 0333 200 1860 or fill out our contact form to request a call-back.
