A complete guide to buying a database + 10 tools for reaching truly qualified prospects
Buying a database gives you direct access to key information on qualified contacts: name, job title, email address, sometimes even telephone number. In theory, ideal for boosting your sales prospecting. Except that, in reality, everything depends on the file purchased, the supplier and, above all, the implementation. To avoid unpleasant surprises (and penalties), it's best to understand how a good basic purchase works, what the RGPD says, and which solutions to use to target the right prospects, with a real return on investment.
📌 In this article we advise and inform you so that you make the best choice for your pro business. Here's the type of content you can expect: deciphering the criteria for choosing, focus on legality and ROI + presentation of around ten solutions.
Why buying a database is (sometimes) a good idea
Buying a B2B database is not cheating. Nor is it the miracle solution you sell with promises of "ultra-qualified" contacts in 3 clicks. It's a tool, a lever like any other, to save time in your sales prospecting. But you still need to understand what you're buying.
A well-established B2B practice
In many sectors, the basic purchase has become a classic step in direct marketing actions. Do you need to launch an emailing campaign, relaunch an inactive target, or simply build up an initial file? You go through a platform, a directory or a data provider. And the objective is always the same: to find the right prospects, at the right time.
👉 What we buy in this case is :
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professional information (surname, first name, email address, job title, etc.),
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telephone or postal contact details,
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sometimes more detailed data such as NAF code, workforce or sales figures,
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faster implementation than manual data collection,
When well designed, these files enable more targeted, more effective and, above all, faster prospecting. It's often a gateway for sales teams who want to accelerate sales without spending weeks on cold research. Purchasing prospecting files is therefore not a heresy: it's a strategic choice, which must be aligned with your business objectives.
Customer file or unknown file: be careful what you handle
It's important to distinguish between two things: your own database, and a purchased database. Your database of historical contacts, customers and incoming leads is a valuable resource. It's clean, opt-in, and already reflects an existing link with your company.
On the other hand, a purchased prospecting file doesn't know you. It's a data rental (in most cases), so you need to be rigorous in your use of it:
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understand the rights you have (one-time use? limited duration?),
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check that the database is up-to-date and from professional sources,
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adopt a respectful approach (personalized, targeted, relevant message).
💡 Example : a salesperson in the construction sector who receives an e-mail about HR software... this is not only useless, but counter-productive. It's all about the quality of targeting.
What a well-chosen database can really do for you
A useful database isn't just a list of telephone numbers thrown into Excel. It's a refined business tool, designed to fuel sales, marketing and customer relations.
👉 It lets you :
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contact decision-makers in a new business or sector,
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test a new offer in a targeted geographical area,
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support a field sales forcewith an enriched customer file,
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automate campaigns without starting from scratch.
Used properly, a data base is a real service for teams. Poorly exploited, it's a drain on time, energy and budget.
How to choose a database that's truly useful to your prospecting efforts
Targeting: the basis of everything
Before you even think about selling, ask yourself this question: who, specifically, do you want to target? This is where the quality of your future prospecting depends.
Here are the most useful filters for refining a good file:
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business sector (NAF code, job description, specific field),
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function (manager, HR, buyer, salesperson, or any other function relevant to you),
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company size (headcount, sales, legal status),
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geographical area (region, city, department),
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preferred channel (email address, phone number, social networks, etc.).
The right data provider should enable you to target precisely, with granular options tailored to your business. Without it, you're wasting budget... and sales energy.
Data origin and updating: don't be fooled by appearances
A "beautiful" file may conceal obsolete or unusable information. The real criterion is the origin of the data, how it is collected, and how often it is updated.
❓Ask the service provider the right questions:
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where is the data collected (forms, web crawls, partner sources, etc.)?
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how often is it updated (continuously, monthly, manually)?
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Has consent been obtained (especially for nominative data and professional e-mails)?
A database that isn't updated is a dead file. You'll multiply errors, bounces, refusals, duplicates and even reports. On the contrary, a database updated in real time (properly sourced and RGPD-compliant) guarantees effective campaigns and a good return! And if your contact doesn't know how to answer these questions clearly... run away!
Format, enrichment and integration: the database must work for you
A well-targeted, well-informed, compliant file... that's all well and good. But if you have to spend three days making it usable, then there's still something missing. A good database is also a ready-to-use file.
Check :
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file format (Excel, CSV, API, CRM export...),
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the presence of useful fields: function, creation date, purchase intention, postal code, etc,
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the possibility of connecting the database to your CRM or marketing automation tool,
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enrichment options: social data, intent signals, scoring, Chrome extension, etc.
Some platforms go even further: they can generate leads via an integrated search engine, filter by online behavior, or identify weak signals (recruitment, fundraising, relocation). The more these elements are present, the more your base becomes a massive targeting weapon.
📌 Please note: an enriched database does not mean an overloaded database. The aim remains to facilitate the implementation of your campaigns, not to drown your sales reps in information.
What you can (really) do in compliance with the RGPD
Buying data is allowed... subject to conditions
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) does not formally prohibit the purchase of databases. What it does regulate is :
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the purpose for which the data is used,
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the level of information provided to individuals,
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respect for their rights, notably the right to object.
Clearly, you can buy a database if :
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you know the source of the information,
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you can justify that the data is up-to-date, accurate and legally obtained,
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you respect the principle of transparency: the person contacted knows why you are contacting them, and can refuse.
The CNIL is clear: it's up to the company using the database to verify compliance. Even if you go through a supplier, the responsibility is yours.
🗣️ Pro tip: always demand an RGPD compliance document before purchase. And check the contractual clauses in the case of database leasing.
What the CNIL says about B2B: real room for manoeuvre
Prospecting in B2B is less strict than in B2C. According to the CNIL, you can contact a professional by e-mail without prior consent if :
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the subject of the communication is directly related to the recipient's business activity,
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the recipient is informed of his or her rights,
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an unsubscribe link is provided in the first message.
Telephone numbers, on the other hand, are more sensitive: when it comes to cell phones, consent is often required. It's best to opt for business landlines or alternative channels (email, social networks, etc.). As for sensitive data (ethnic origin, opinions, etc.), these are of course strictly forbidden to be collected. What counts is proportionality : collecting only what is useful, relevant and justifiable. And not "just in case".
How to buy a database without risk
Here are the best ways to stay on the right track:
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opt-in files, where people have given their consent to receive messages,
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check that the database is properly classified by activity, size, NAF code... to avoid random targeting,
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demand a written commitment from the supplier on :
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the origin of the data,
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last update date,
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compliance with RGPD obligations.
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And above all, avoid files retrieved "by chance" or transmitted by unclear partners. A "free" but dubious database can be expensive... very expensive. As a reminder, failure to comply with the RGPD can result in a fine of up to 4% of worldwide sales. Even for a simple prospecting operation.
Finally, be clear in your messages. Inform about the collection, offer a simple unsubscribe, and limit marketing pressure. Data protection really isn't an obstacle to commercial prospecting; it's a guarantee of quality.
How to maximize the ROI of a purchased database
A purchased database is not a magic wand. It doesn't "create" leads, it opens access to potentially exploitable data. The difference between a dormant file and a tool that sells is you. And, above all, it's what you do with it. Here's how to turn a simple purchase into a profitable investment.
Clean up, segment, activate: the database doesn't work on its own
Before any action is taken, the first priority is to make the file usable. Yes, even if you've bought it "qualified". Check for :
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duplicates,
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format errors,
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missing information (email, phone number, company, etc.).
Next, segment. A well-organized database is a database that works. By sector, by company size, by detected intention, by offer to push. Better 300 well-targeted prospects than 3,000 vague entries.
This is also a good time to enrich your data with weak signals (recruitments, moves, publications, etc.) using tools such as Dropcontact, Kaspr or Corporama. Some platforms even offer automatic updates to keep your file current over time. 🎯 Objective: prepare a base ready to be activated in your sales tunnels, without wasting energy.
Personalize your messages: no ROI without relevance
A well-segmented base is just a lever. To convert it into results, you need relevance, adaptation and the right message. Use database fields to personalize:
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name and function (if collected),
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sector or geographical area,
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potential needs according to activity,
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the right moment (e.g.: a recent start-up = a good time to buy equipment).
And above all, adapt the message's objective to your target. A CEO does not expect the same approach as an operational manager. A generic email, even a legal one, has zero effectiveness. This is where privacy and commercial relevance come together: send less, but better.
Add clear call-to-actions: booking an appointment, a free trial, downloading a guide... A good database won't sell for you, but it can put you in touch at the right time.
Monitor, measure, adjust: ROI is built over time
Once you've launched your campaigns, it's time to track results and optimize. The key indicators to track are
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Open and click rates,
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number of leads generated,
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cost per lead or sale,
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unsubscribe or opt-out rates (signals to watch out for if you want to remain compliant).
You identify the most responsive segments, the most clicked products, or the most effective offers. And so you concentrate your efforts where the return is real. Some CRM or marketing automation tools integrate these KPIs natively. Otherwise, a good Excel spreadsheet (or Google Sheet) will do the trick if your database is modest in size.
And don't forget to re-inject the data resulting from this prospecting into your CRM : a cold lead today can become a hot lead tomorrow. The investment is not in a single campaign, but in the entire management of the sales cycle. A high-performance database is one that feeds your sales teams over the long term, not just once.
10 reliable solutions for buying a database without making a mistake
Comparison table of our selection
As we've seen, everything depends on the quality of the database... and therefore on the quality of the supplier. Here is a selection of 10 tools recognized for their reliability, compliance and efficiency in B2B prospecting.
1 of 9
Kaspr
Widely used by salespeople for its simplicity, Kaspr is a Chrome extension that integrates directly with LinkedIn. With it, you can retrieve a profile's professional contact details (email, number, company) in a single click. Practical for enriching your database as you go along, without having to use a global file. Good to know: Kaspr includes a free version (with a limited number of credits).
KASPR
Cognism
Cognism is a premium qualified lead generation solution (with a strong focus on RGPD compliance). It offers enriched, continuously updated data, and a scoring system based on intent signals. It's aimed at B2B sales teams who want to go fast... but well. Ideal for highly competitive sectors (where data freshness is essential).
Cognism
Dropcontact
Renowned for its reliability and ethical positioning, Dropcontact offers 100% RGPD-friendly data , enriched automatically. No illegal scraping, no dubious files: here, everything is generated, verified, updated, and based on in-house algorithms. Bonus: a high-performance API (for easy integration of data into your CRM or marketing tool).
Dropcontact
RocketReach
With over 700 million referenced profiles, RocketReach is a powerful international database used for both prospecting and recruitment. The data is supplied with a confidence level (score) that enables us to quickly sort out exploitable leads. This tool is particularly well-suited to companies looking to expand abroad.
RocketReach
LinkedIn Sales Navigator
Sales Navigator is LinkedIn's advanced prospecting tool. It lets you filter profiles by company, sector, function, location... then contact them directly or integrate them into your nurturing strategy. Note: not a "file sales" tool in the classical sense, but a powerful targeting solution for generating your own database.
LinkedIn Sales Navigator
Kompass
An oldie but a goodie, Kompass is an international B2B directory classified by sector, size, activity, number of employees and so on. It enables you to build a prospecting database by precisely selecting your criteria, with data available for purchase or rental. The tool is ideally suited to precise geographic or sectoral targeting (particularly in the industrial BtoB sector).
Manageo
Manageo offers B2B prospecting files enriched with business signals: fund-raising, start-ups, changes in management... Very useful for detecting companies on the move and adapting your messages to the right moment. The interface lets you sort companies by potential, and integrate leads directly into your CRM.
Manageo
Corporama
A French solution, Corporama aggregates public and private data to provide you with up-to-date files, with integrated weak signals and highly advanced filters. It is often used by marketing AND sales teams, because of its complementary nature. Its strong point: a 360° view of the company (with history, context and personalized alerts).
Corporama
Lead the Way
Less well known but really very effective, Lead the Way has a hybrid approach (qualified database + intelligent scoring to identify the hottest leads). The tool helps you prioritize your actions and focus your efforts on companies with the highest potential. A good solution for SMEs that want to combine data and strategy, without spreading themselves too thin.
Lead the Way
Sociétéinfo
Sociétéinfo uses Insee data and various open sources to generate customized files that are continuously updated. Data can be filtered by NAF code, workforce, sales, zone, manager, etc., with exports adapted to all business tools. The offer includes API access, a Chrome extension and advanced customization options.
Societeinfo.com
Things to remember before buying a database
Buying a database is a gamble. A bet on the quality of the data collected, on the ability to exploit it correctly, but also on the solidity of the chosen partner. And you can win this bet... as long as you don't rush headlong into it. As we've shown, it's not just a question of getting a file (but of thinking about how you're going to organize your prospecting, respect the legal framework and optimize your sales strategy).
Rather than looking for a miracle solution, proceed methodically. Here are the essential points to bear in mind before pulling out the bank card:
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a useful base is always targeted: function, sector, size, area... the more you refine, the more you aim right.
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the RGPD doesn't block anything, but it does impose rules: be transparent, respect rights, and keep your contacts informed.
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a good customer file is a living thing: it needs to be updated, enriched and structured over time.
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there's no shortage of tools: extensions, APIs, directories, scoring... but they're not all the same.
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the relevance of the message counts as much as the data itself: no ROI without personalization.
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Finally, buy a database as you would buy a CRM or a piece of technology: by looking at the uses, not just the promise.
A database is not a fixed product. It's a resource that can be nurtured, structured and integrated into a global vision of prospecting. Ultimately, this is where your return on investment comes in, as well as your ability to structure sustainable prospecting in line with your business objectives.
Article translated from French