Duplicate leads have a higher value than previously believed, according to a new study released this week identifying the characteristics that make them more valuable. The study from Leads360
identifies that those flagged as duplicates convert 167% higher than the average rate. This conversion occurs regardless of how they are handled after they have been flagged.
The more times a
lead is flagged as a duplicate, the more likely that it will convert. Leads flagged as duplicates at least four times are more than 200% more likely to convert, compared with other leads. Per
the study, the more times a lead is flagged as a duplicate, the higher the likelihood of converting.
The Duplicate Leads: Unrealized Value or Waste of Time? study from
Leads360 analyzes the data collected from its customers using the company's duplicate management platform. Some 100,000 leads flagged as potential duplicates were analyzed in the study to compare
their performance to those of millions of other leads.
Timing is everything. The study found that timing between duplicates can become a valuable indicator of a lead's potential
performance. Duplicates are most likely to convert when they are flagged six or more months after the original lead was created, according to the study. The duplicate lead is more likely to convert as
the interval between duplicates increases, but the gain in conversion fluctuates beyond six months.
Weight the findings objectively. Of course, the Leads360 optimization study believes the
first step in managing duplicate leads is to identify incoming leads a potential duplicates. The company provides a platform that does just that. Nonetheless, companies should have one reference for
leads -- not many. So it is important to determine whether to merge the files or manage them differently.