Lead SLAs: what to demand before you pay
A good lead provider doesn't ask for blind trust: they sign commitments. These are the guarantees you should demand before paying the first invoice.
Buying leads without clear terms is like hiring without a contract. If the provider only promises "quality contacts" verbally, you have nothing. An SLA (service-level agreement) turns those promises into concrete, measurable commitments. Here's what to demand.
1. Data freshness
When was the lead generated? Demand a maximum age. An intent lead from an hour ago is worth it; from a month ago, much less. If they won't guarantee freshness, they can slip you old contacts at new-contact prices.
2. Exclusivity (or transparency about it)
Is the lead just for you or sold to several? Neither is bad in itself, but you must know to adjust your process and price. We decide it in exclusive vs shared. What's unacceptable is not knowing.
3. Replacement of invalid leads
Dead phones, fake data, duplicates: they happen everywhere. What sets a good provider apart is that they replace them without arguing. Demand a clear policy: what counts as invalid and how fast they replace it.
Replacement is the acid test. A provider who replaces without fighting trusts their data. One who resists knows they're slipping you filler.
4. Qualification criteria
What must a lead meet to count as valid per your brief? Put it in writing: sector, area, profile, minimum intent. No debate over whether what's delivered fits.
5. Delivery timelines
How fast do leads start arriving and at what pace? A hot lead delivered late is no longer hot. Demand initial delivery and cadence timelines.
6. Data origin and consent
Where does the lead come from and on what legal basis? This isn't a whim: it's your protection against GDPR fines. We develop it in GDPR and lead buying. A serious provider explains it plainly.
7. Traceability
Can you see where each lead comes from and why it was deemed qualified? Traceability lets you attribute sales and optimize. Without it, you buy blind.
Don't sign for promises. Sign for commitments. The difference is measured in euros at the end of the quarter.
We put it in writing
At CompraLeads we make freshness, criteria, replacement and timelines clear before starting, because we trust what we deliver. Ask us for the terms for your case at contacto@compraleads.es.