Businesses need to research for contacts for marketing purposes, to create leads, and for other purposes as well. In addition, they contact each other for cooperation on projects or partnerships. Sometimes, it is necessary to find out who owns a business to make a contact or to create a new collaboration. However, it can also be quite challenging sometimes. The good news is, nobody is completely immune to detection. With some effort, it’s possible to find people online, including business owners.
Get Past the Gatekeeper
If there isn’t a number on the business’ website, you can look it up in a local phone or online directory. During your search, you’ll inevitably encounter a gatekeeper. To get past them, it is important to be respectful and appreciative of their efforts. It’s up to them to open the gates for you, after all. In addition, it is important to show your appreciation for any help they offer.
It is also important to avoid losing your cool, no matter what. Anger or frustration won’t help you get past them. Moreover, a poor attitude will lead you to be blacklisted. Experienced gatekeepers are excellent at weeding unwanted callers out.
Contact the BBB
Most reputable businesses have a registration with the Better Business Bureau. While their information isn’t always current, it’s an avenue worth exploring. You’ll get a main contact at the very least, even if this person isn’t the actual owner. In addition, you can contact the BBB for a report and check the date once you receive it.
Check Social Networks
Today, there are very few businesses without any social media accounts. Social media searches are full of potential – you should consider looking them up on Facebook, LinkedIn, even Instagram. Moreover, you might get an email or number on Google. The owner might have been mentioned or might have replied to a comment on Facebook. The Timeline and Graph Search options are a good way to go beyond a standard search.
Use a Screening Service
There are several credible platforms like Checkpeople.com where you will be able to conduct multiple background checks about business owners. If you wish to know about the credibility of such a platform, you can always go through Checkpeople.com reviews. This will help give you a better idea of the pros and cons of using such a screening service.
Background check sites have access to massive volumes of data. The business owner’s name might be part of it. Even if you don’t get it, you’ll get other relevant information to assist you further.
Contact Regulators
You can get in touch with a watchdog or local authority overseeing business licenses. The location and sector of the business will determine the outcome. You can begin your search with the local licensing authority. Use a collection of search terms, such as the city and state of the business after the keywords ‘certificate occupancy’ and ‘business licenses.’
Obviously, this won’t work without knowing the company’s city and state. For instance, most companies in the hospitality industry need a license. It’s possible to call the regulator and submit an official inquiry into the business owner’s identity. You can also search for a permit, license, or inspection on the authority’s site.
Look up the Domain
A business’ domain name consists of the name of the website and the extension, such as .com, .net, etc. When a business buys a domain name, they can specify the server indicated by the name. In addition, no two businesses can have the same domain name. Names are used to identify and find resources and computers with an Internet connection. Moreover, every domain is registered to a specific entity. In addition, the owner is obligated to provide their contact details to the domain registrar.
This search is easier than it may sound. Simply type “whois” in a search engine, choose the service provider, and enter the company’s domain. Unless the owner purposefully hid their details, this registration data will surface. If the search retrieves the message “Domains by Proxy,” that means the data is hidden.
State Registration
No company can do business without having a state registration. Therefore, you can find information within the database of the business in the state where it’s based. Each state can provide information, as long as you got the correct database.
Watch for Fake Websites
While fake retail and other business websites are by no means new, they’ve never looked as real as they do now. Phony sites use photos from authentic ones to look realistic. Look for contact information, an About Us page, a physical location, and a Terms and Conditions page. If none of this information is available, the business might be fake.