Ever wonder where your direct mail campaign is once, it has been dropped at a USPS processing facility? We don’t, because we know where each piece of mail is using our WayBetterPostcard AccuTrace!
We track all mail for many reasons, mainly to ensure your campaign was processed and delivered by USPS. We also have enhanced our platform to see, in general how mail is processing at certain facilities. This insights keeps us a step ahead at all times. We have created multiple automatic notifications as well so that if there is an issue with any of the mail we print and submit to USPS we are aware.
NOTE: If you would like, we can add your email or text to any of these notification we have built. However we monitor these here and since we do provide a “Campaign Tracking URL” once your order is summited and entered at USPS, you can always access this same information 24/7 up to 60 days after your paid order.
How we track your postcards or other direct mail campaign
WayBetterPostcard AccuTrace (WBP AccuTrace) takes advantage of existing USPS technologies that provide enhanced mail visibility. WBP AccuTrace allows waybeterpostcard.com to add a unique tracking code to each piece of our mail. This code is captured and identified as your mail is processed by USPS. Most commonly via the machines that process mail. They read and scan these advanced barcodes form each piece of mail, and as they do an electronic records is created and made available to us. This “ping or signal” is transmitted to one of our servers.
We then store, monitor and track these scans as they relate to each of the mail pieces. They are USPS technologies that provide enhanced mail visibility that we also use for marketing purposes.
WBP AccuTrace, then generates and provides this data as various reports and place all in a single URL or website/landing page we call a Campaign Tracking URL that is specific to your order. Thus making it easy to use, if needed.
Thing to keep in mind
Mail processing is a very complicated and fast moving system. Often 3 or 4 or more, machines are used on a single piece of mail, and usually these are located in different facilities, counties, or states. Due to the nature of this there is no guarantee that a mail piece will receive a scan. Mainaitence, connectivity all play a role just as they do in any manufacturing-mechanical environment.
When a mail piece does receive a scan, there are several factors such as size, shape, presort level, and its’ destination zone that impact overall scan performance. For example larger pieces of mail categorized as “FLATS” (noting to do with being flat) can have a wide range of sizes and thicknesses. At times or in certain facilities, the processing machines for this type of mail cannot accommodate scanners or the scanner may not be in a place that reads your particular area where your address is placed. We need to keep these factors in mind when interpreting scan data.
Is It Delivered?
Before it is put onto a carrier truck for delivery, the mail will usually receive its’ last scan at the post office. This is as close as we can estimate a delivery, as there are no scanning devices at the final destination (a mailbox). The Timestamp will provide you with the date and time of the scan. Although this is not a “signature confirmation”, it does provide a great feature and for the most part is accurate. Our experience with understanding this tech, allows us to provide our “Delivery Satisfaction” guarantee. At 27 times the cost of a presort postage, you can send a single piece via FedEx Ground with signature confirmation, but that would add up real fast!
Availability
We normally receive scan data at least every night from the USPS. However it can be delayed. We do our best to process it and update your reports as fast as we can. Additionally, you can download and save over 14 different reports for up to 90 days from your order date. After that the data is purged and no longer available
What Makes Us – Way Better? Our Entry Advantage
We start way ahead of most others by ensuring the mailing component of your campaign is executed at a top, certified level.
- USPS Full-Service Mailer Certification: This certification allows us to offer you the most competitive postage discounts and utilize advanced digital platforms to streamline the mailing process. We can electronically submit your mail data directly to the USPS server (PostalOne) for faster processing.
- On-Site USPS E-Verification: Our on-site verification system eliminates the need for trips to the bulk mail counter. We can electronically verify and certify your mail, validate addresses, and pay postage directly from our facility, saving you valuable time.
- Seamless Acceptance with E-Doc Certification: With E-Doc Certification, we can complete the verification process electronically, pay postage, and finalize the postage statement right here at our facility. This allows for faster acceptance by the USPS and quicker delivery for your campaigns.
- FAST Access for 24/7 Drop-Off and Communication: Our advanced certifications grant us access to the USPS’s “FAST” database, enabling us to schedule mail drop-offs 24/7 and communicate directly with USPS personnel if needed.
Unmatched Address Accuracy and List Validation
We combine decades of experience in managing mailing lists with cutting-edge technology to ensure the highest possible deliverability rates for your campaigns. Here’s how:
- 24/7 Access to USPS NCOA Database: We use the National Change of Address (NCOA) database to identify and correct outdated addresses in your mailing lists.
- Hybrid Software with Multi-source Verification: Our software analyzes your list by city, zip code, and postage rates to find the most cost-effective options. Additionally, we utilize two external databases and a private change of address database to enhance and validate your lists for maximum accuracy.
As a seasoned online print marketing firm specializing in real estate direct mail, we’ve cultivated a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities facing real estate agents and brokerages. Our platform, designed with the agent’s perspective in mind, seamlessly integrates lead generation strategies with our robust print and mail capabilities. This synergy empowers real estate professionals to achieve exceptional results.