Buzz
Finding a company or business can be accomplished through various methods leveraging modern resources. Most businesses prioritize easy accessibility for their customers. However, some companies may pose challenges, especially if their offices and sales locations have different addresses. This guide will outline how to locate a company's physical address online and find the actual building once you have the address.
Steps
Locating a Company You Already Know
Review the company's official documents. Materials like business cards, letters, and handouts received during meetings are valuable sources of information.
- Pay attention to the company's letterhead, typically featuring the name, address, phone number, and possibly email and website details. Social media contacts may also be provided.
- Business cards may vary in content, but they often include contact information like phone numbers, emails, websites, and addresses, though in different layouts.
- If you have an unconventional document, extract any available contact details or the company's name for later use with other search methods outlined in this article.
Initiate contact through telecommunications. This is the most effective method to introduce yourself to the company and gain insight into its operations, even if you've interacted with them previously.
- Utilize telephone or email communication. When reaching out to a specific individual you've met before, such as at a job fair, address them directly and remind them of your previous encounter.
- For instance, if you've met the company's human resources director and have their contact from a business card, request to speak with them directly, referencing your prior meeting.
- Emails may allow for more detailed communication, while phone calls offer a personal touch.
Participate in written correspondence. After establishing initial contact, engage in further communication with the company.
- Whether it pertains to employment, sales, or other matters, establish two-way written communication.
- Retrieve the postal address from the company's materials or request it during a follow-up communication to demonstrate ongoing interest.
- For instance, if you intend to form a business partnership, formal written requests may be necessary.
Familiarize yourself with the company's physical location. Once you've located the company, familiarize yourself with its surroundings.
- Understanding the general climate and its impact on the business can be beneficial, especially if it directly affects operations.
- For example, knowing the seasonal fluctuations in temperature can be crucial for businesses like amusement parks.
Visit the company in person. Only undertake this step once you have established solid communication with the company and have a good understanding of its location.
- Be prepared for your perceptions of the locality, business, and employees to potentially change upon arrival.
- Maintain polite business etiquette and demonstrate respect while assertively presenting your requests.
- For example, if you're considering partnering your bakery with a café you've located, persistently present your offer without causing offense.
Locating a Company Online
Conduct an online search for the company. Utilize reputable search engines to ensure reliable results.
- Ensure your antivirus software is active and up to date.
- Avoid search engines overloaded with advertisements and spyware.
- Experiment with different search combinations if necessary, especially if the company is not found initially.
- Refine your search criteria to narrow down results, such as specifying a location or additional keywords.
- Reader Poll: According to a survey of 176 Mytour readers, 65% believe the most effective way to gather information is through online searches or search engines. [Participate in Poll]
Validate company information using authoritative sources. After obtaining basic details from your search, cross-reference with reliable sources.
- Consult local chambers of commerce or government websites for physical location verification.
- Explore state and federal government portals for additional assistance.
Confirm the company's credentials.
- Check the Better Business Bureau for service quality ratings.
- Verify information with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Federal Trade Commission, or state records.
Initiate electronic communication with the company. Visit their website to obtain contact details.
- Ensure the website provides sufficient contact information.
- If contact details are lacking, reach out to previous sources where the company was listed.
Evaluate the necessity of a physical visit. Determine if visiting the company's premises is essential for your business purposes.
- If the company is difficult to contact and your business is not time-sensitive, reconsider your engagement with them.
- If further interaction is required and feasible, consider a personal visit, especially for activities like touring production facilities.
Locating a Company in Person
Acquire a variety of comprehensive guidebooks. Ensure you have up-to-date guides covering different regions and themes.
- Visit standard bookstores or travel shops to find suitable guides.
- Select guides featuring multiple geographic areas, including local, state, and regional details.
- Look for guides with business indices arranged alphabetically and categorically for easy reference.
Focus your search on a manageable region. Utilize guides relevant to the areas where your desired company is located.
- Use category indices to identify businesses related to your search criteria, such as fishing gear shops in the sporting goods section.
- Consult alphabetical indices for variations of the company's name.
- Once you've identified potential companies, use guide information to narrow down your search further.
Compile a list of contact details. Create a contact list based on the companies selected in the previous step.
- Limit your list to a manageable number of companies, ideally 5 to 10.
- Verify information from multiple guides if available.
- Record the contact information separately for easy reference.
Reach out to the chamber of commerce. Contact the chamber of commerce to verify company information and determine further action.
- Use a phone book for local companies or directory assistance (dial '411' in the U.S.) for companies in other areas.
- Confirm company details with the chamber of commerce, noting any discrepancies.
- Make a decision on which companies to pursue for further contact.
Reach out to the company directly via phone or certified mail. Once you have the company's physical address and contact details, initiate communication.
- A phone call is quicker than mail. If the company has limited online presence, offering your phone number may facilitate communication. For instance, when contacting an old paper mill, providing your number allows the foreman to call back at a convenient time.
- Consider using certified mail or obtaining a return receipt for postal correspondence. This ensures the recipient acknowledges receipt, or provides tracking information if delivery is refused.
- For example, if contacting a secluded producer at an old television show set, certified mail confirms someone is present at the location or forces refusal of delivery.
Helpful Tips
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When browsing a company's website, check for the Better Business Bureau logo and link, indicating their endorsement of the company's performance.
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Inform friends or family when planning a visit to your chosen company's premises.
Important Warnings
- If a company's online or physical displays lack significant contact information, seek reviews of their performance to identify potential issues affecting visibility.
- Always notify the company before visiting their premises.
