If you’re evaluating a new data provider, one of the most important steps is running a proper proof of concept (POC). I’ve done hundreds of these over the years, and the companies that get the most value out of them tend to follow a simple structure that answers two key questions:
If you’re reading this, you probably already know how painful it is to buy data that looks good on a slide but falls apart when your team actually uses it. Whether you’re building an ABM platform, enriching customer records, or powering a sales motion, here’s how I recommend running a high-signal POC that tells you what you really need to know.
The single most reliable identifier for B2B contact data is a LinkedIn profile URL. It never changes and is incredibly specific.
? Pro tip: Ask the vendor for record refresh dates or “last updated” dates for transparency and to help build confidence in the data.
If you don’t have LinkedIn URLs, the next best test is to check how well the provider covers your ICP based on company domains and persona-level filters.
? This test helps you understand how much value you can deliver to your customers if you’re reselling or embedding the data.
Before you run the POC, be clear on what “good” looks like. This makes evaluation easier and avoids internal confusion.
Here are a few criteria I typically ask customers to define:
This is where a lot of POCs fall flat. They focus on coverage but skip accuracy and freshness. Make sure someone on your team actually uses the test data in your environment- whether that’s a CRM, a product workflow, or an outbound campaign.
? At RevenueBase, we encourage customers to manually spot-check results (not via Zerbounce, Neverounce since those tools cannot validate catchall domains). Did the email go through? Did the title match what’s on LinkedIn? Did we return someone who actually works there?
You’d be surprised how many providers won’t tell you what’s actually in their dataset. That’s a red flag. We share our full data dictionary and global coverage breakdown before we even run the POC, so you know exactly what you’re getting into.
A well-run POC can save you months of frustration and help you avoid expensive mistakes. It’s also the best way to separate providers who just repackage the same stale lists from those who actually generate and maintain their own data.
If you’re running enrichment for your platform, product, or pipeline and want to test Revenue base- let’s do it right. I’ll personally help you set up a POC that proves what matters most: quality, coverage, and confidence.
Want to run a POC? Contact us here.
