D&B Hoovers - Detailed Review
Sales Tools
D&B Hoovers - Product Overview
D&B Hoovers Overview
D&B Hoovers is a powerful sales and prospecting intelligence platform that caters to the needs of sales and marketing teams. Here’s a brief overview of its primary function, target audience, and key features:Primary Function
D&B Hoovers is designed to help sales and marketing teams identify and engage with the most promising business opportunities. It leverages the world’s largest commercial database to provide comprehensive insights, enabling teams to prospect more strategically and convert leads into sales more efficiently.Target Audience
The primary target audience for D&B Hoovers includes sales and marketing professionals in B2B organizations. This tool is particularly beneficial for teams looking to accelerate their sales processes, improve go-to-market activities, and increase business growth globally.Key Features
Comprehensive Database
D&B Hoovers offers access to a vast database of over 587 million companies worldwide, providing standardized information, scores, and ratings. This database is updated daily, ensuring that the information is current and reliable.Advanced Search Capabilities
The platform features more than 175 search filters, allowing users to build highly targeted lists and identify companies that closely match their target criteria. This includes the ability to search for companies involved in specific technologies, industries, or market trends.Strategic Planning and Prospecting
D&B Hoovers enables users to connect directly with decision-makers and plan their sales strategies with accurate and up-to-date information. It helps in identifying the right buyers, understanding their challenges, and delivering compelling pitches to convert prospects into profits.Monitoring and Alerts
The platform provides alerts for updates and activities related to saved companies, ensuring users stay informed about business movements and changes. This includes dynamic SmartLists that update automatically to reflect new business opportunities.Integration with CRM
D&B Hoovers seamlessly integrates with CRM systems, providing a consistent source of real-time, complete, and actionable data. This integration helps in improving sales productivity and increasing the ROI on marketing efforts.Mobile Accessibility
Users can access company profiles, news, and trigger alerts on their mobile devices, allowing them to search for nearby businesses and discover local sales opportunities on the go. By leveraging these features, D&B Hoovers streamlines the entire sales cycle, filling the pipeline faster and generating more qualified leads, which ultimately leads to a higher conversion rate and increased closed deals. D&B Hoovers - User Interface and Experience
User Interface of D&B Hoovers
Intuitive Interface
D&B Hoovers features a dynamic and intuitive user interface that allows users to access critical intelligence quickly. The platform is equipped with alerts, triggers, and profiling capabilities, making it easy for sales and marketing professionals to identify valuable prospects and engage them effectively across multiple channels.Ease of Use
The interface is designed to be straightforward, enabling users to efficiently search through a vast database of over 206 million companies and 178 million professionals. The search tools are highly rated, with 82% of users finding them effective in quickly locating the data they need.AI-Driven Features
The recent introduction of SmartMail AI and SmartSearch AI further enhances the user experience. SmartMail AI automates messaging processes, creating personalized emails in up to 19 languages, which streamlines the outreach process for sales and marketing teams. SmartSearch AI, an AI-powered chat assistant, helps users build targeted lists of companies and contacts based on specific criteria, making it effortless to identify and action targeted opportunities.Integration and Automation
D&B Hoovers seamlessly integrates with CRM and Marketing Automation (MAP) systems, providing a consistent source of current, complete, and actionable data. This integration helps teams focus on closing deals rather than searching for contact information, thereby improving sales productivity and marketing ROI.Customizable Intelligence
Users can gain customizable intelligence through the platform’s dynamic user interface. Features like Conceptual Search with natural-language capabilities and dynamically updated Smart Lists ensure that users always have a list of viable prospects at their fingertips.Alerts and Notifications
The platform offers real-time trigger alerts and updates about business, social, and digital events, keeping users informed and ahead of their competitors. News and people alerts are also available, ensuring users stay updated on changes relevant to their target companies and contacts.Performance and Reliability
The software is consistently available and reliable, with 81% of users reporting that it allows them to complete tasks quickly without significant delays. Overall, the user interface of D&B Hoovers is designed to be user-friendly, efficient, and highly functional, making it an effective tool for sales and marketing professionals to accelerate sales, enhance go-to-market activities, and increase business growth globally. D&B Hoovers - Key Features and Functionality
D&B Hoovers Overview
D&B Hoovers, a sales acceleration solution from Dun & Bradstreet, is packed with several key features that leverage advanced data analytics and AI to enhance B2B sales and marketing efforts. Here are the main features and how they work:
Comprehensive Company Profiles
D&B Hoovers provides access to detailed company profiles for over 170 million businesses, drawn from the Dun & Bradstreet Data Cloud. This data includes company size, industry, financial health, and other critical metrics. These profiles help sales teams have more informed conversations with potential clients and identify the most promising prospects.
Dynamic Search and List-Building
The platform offers dynamic search capabilities that allow users to build targeted lists of companies and contacts based on specific criteria such as country, city, industry, and company size. This feature is further enhanced by the introduction of SmartSearch AI, an AI-powered chat assistant that helps users quickly build these targeted lists.
Real-Time Trigger Alerts
D&B Hoovers includes real-time trigger alerts that notify users of significant events or changes within their target companies. These alerts can include news updates, financial changes, or other relevant information that might indicate a sales opportunity.
Buyer Intent Signals
The platform integrates buyer intent data from multiple sources, including Bombora, to provide signals on when companies are actively researching products or services. This helps sales teams identify and engage with prospects at the right time. D&B Hoovers offers three intent options: Bombora, D&B Pre-Defined, and D&B Custom, providing flexibility in scale, precision, and purpose.
SmartMail AI
SmartMail AI is a generative AI capability that automates messaging and deployment to high-targeted contacts. It creates personalized, AI-optimized content for emails, adjusts the tone, and translates messages into up to 19 languages. This feature streamlines outreach processes and ensures that messages are relevant and engaging.
Integration with CRM and MAP
D&B Hoovers integrates seamlessly with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Marketing Automation Platforms (MAP) to ensure alignment between sales and marketing teams. This integration enables users to access business data and intelligence directly within their familiar tools, enhancing productivity and effectiveness.
AI-Powered Personalization
Both SmartMail AI and SmartSearch AI leverage Dun & Bradstreet’s AiBE foundational architecture to enhance personalization and targeting. These AI tools help create individualized content and build targeted lists, ensuring that sales and marketing efforts are highly relevant and effective.
News and Analytics
The platform provides access to relevant news and analytics, which help sales teams stay updated on market trends and company-specific information. This data is integrated into the user interface, making it easy to access and use in real-time.
Conclusion
In summary, D&B Hoovers combines extensive business data, advanced search capabilities, real-time alerts, buyer intent signals, and AI-driven tools like SmartMail AI and SmartSearch AI to significantly enhance sales productivity and effectiveness. These features work together to help B2B sales and marketing teams identify, engage, and convert prospects more efficiently.
D&B Hoovers - Performance and Accuracy
Evaluating D&B Hoovers’ Performance and Accuracy
Evaluating the performance and accuracy of D&B Hoovers, particularly with its new Gen AI capabilities, provides a clear picture of its strengths and areas for improvement.
Performance
D&B Hoovers has introduced significant enhancements with the integration of SmartMail AI and SmartSearch AI, which are part of its generative AI capabilities. Here are some key performance highlights:
- Sales Prospecting and Lead Generation: These AI tools are designed to boost sales prospecting and lead generation across various channels. They improve targeting and personalization, leading to more intelligent customer experiences.
- Automated Messaging: SmartMail AI automates messaging in up to 19 languages, which is a substantial advantage for global businesses. It also optimizes content creation for emails, making outreach more efficient and personalized.
- Targeted Lists: SmartSearch AI, an interactive chat assistant, helps users quickly build targeted lists of companies and contacts based on specific criteria such as country, city, industry, and company size.
- Productivity and Process Simplification: Client feedback indicates that these AI-powered capabilities have improved productivity, simplified processes, and accelerated go-to-market speed.
Accuracy
The accuracy of D&B Hoovers is supported by several factors:
- Data Foundation: D&B Hoovers leverages Dun & Bradstreet’s extensive commercial database, which includes over 500 million business records. This vast data repository ensures that the insights and analytics provided are accurate and reliable.
- AiBE Architecture: The new AI capabilities are built on Dun & Bradstreet’s foundational AiBE architecture, which allows for quick development, testing, and deployment of new solutions. This architecture ensures that the AI tools are scalable and adaptable.
- Real-Time Alerts and Notifications: The platform provides real-time alerts and notifications, keeping users informed about developments at their target accounts and new opportunities, which enhances the accuracy of their sales strategies.
Limitations and Areas for Improvement
While D&B Hoovers has made significant strides, there are some areas where it could improve:
- User Satisfaction: Some users have reported mixed satisfaction with the product. For instance, a review summary indicates that while users appreciate the respectful and client-friendly policies, there are concerns about performance enhancement and reliability.
- Cost Relative to Value: There is a moderate level of satisfaction regarding the cost relative to the value provided, with a score of 60%. This suggests that some users may find the cost a bit high compared to the benefits they receive.
- Emotional Footprint: The emotional footprint of the product, while generally positive, shows some areas for improvement. Users have noted that the vendor’s interest sometimes seems to come first, which could impact long-term user satisfaction.
Engagement
Engagement with D&B Hoovers is strong, as evidenced by the fact that 4,000 customers are already using the new AI capabilities. This indicates a high level of adoption and engagement among its client base.
In summary, D&B Hoovers performs well in terms of sales prospecting, lead generation, and personalization, thanks to its advanced AI capabilities. However, there are areas such as user satisfaction with performance and cost where further improvements could be made to enhance the overall user experience.
D&B Hoovers - Pricing and Plans
Pricing Structure of D&B Hoovers
The pricing structure of D&B Hoovers is not publicly disclosed in a straightforward manner, as it is largely based on custom quotes tailored to the specific needs of each business.
Custom Pricing
- D&B Hoovers does not provide a standard pricing tier or plan that is publicly available. Instead, the pricing is determined by contacting their sales team directly to get a quote that aligns with your organization’s requirements.
Free Trial
- D&B Hoovers offers a 7-day free trial, allowing you to explore the platform and its features before committing to a subscription. This trial can help you assess whether the platform meets your needs.
Additional Products and Features
- While the core database access pricing is custom, D&B Hoovers also offers various additional products such as D&B DataVision, Market Insight, D&B Connect, and D&B Advanced Analytics for Marketing. The pricing for these products is also based on custom quotes.
Limited Public Pricing Information
- There is some conflicting information online; for instance, one source suggests a starting price of $49 per month, but this is not confirmed by official D&B Hoovers resources and may not reflect the actual pricing structure.
Conclusion
Given the lack of publicly available pricing details, the best approach to determine the cost and features of D&B Hoovers is to contact their sales team directly. This ensures you get accurate and relevant pricing information tailored to your specific business needs.
D&B Hoovers - Integration and Compatibility
Integrating D&B Hoovers with Other Tools
D&B Hoovers can be integrated with various CRM platforms and other SaaS applications, although it does not have a pre-built connector for many of these systems. To achieve integration, you can use generic connectivity options provided by platforms like Tray.ai. These options include the HTTP Client, Webhook Trigger, and the Connector Builder. These tools allow you to connect D&B Hoovers to any API, database, webhook, or other services, enabling seamless data exchange and automated workflows. For example, integrating D&B Hoovers with Salesforce can be done using these universal connectivity options, which help in creating efficient workflows without the need for separate integration tools.Compatibility Across Platforms and Devices
In terms of compatibility, D&B Hoovers faces some challenges, particularly with assistive technology. A high-level assessment revealed issues with assistive technology compatibility, which can affect users relying on such tools. Key issues include:Interactive Elements
Many interactive elements lack proper roles or use inappropriate aria attributes, making it difficult for users to understand content.Keyboard Accessibility
Most menus and buttons in the header area are not reachable using the keyboard alone.Keyboard Focus
Elements in the menus that receive focus often do not have focus indicators, which can be problematic for users relying on keyboard navigation. These issues suggest that while D&B Hoovers is functional on various devices, it may not be fully accessible for all users, particularly those who rely on assistive technologies.General Usage
Despite these compatibility issues, D&B Hoovers is generally easy to use and integrates well with CRM platforms through automated workflows, triggers, notifications, and smart lists. This integration helps sales teams efficiently research companies worldwide and turn potential customers into profitable ones faster. However, for full accessibility and seamless integration, additional configuration and possibly custom solutions may be necessary. D&B Hoovers - Customer Support and Resources
Customer Support
Customer support for D&B Hoovers is available through a digital service center. This center provides users with the help they need to address any issues or questions they may have while using the platform.
Additional Resources
User Guides and Documentation
While the specific resources are not detailed in the sources, it is common for such platforms to offer user guides, FAQs, and other documentation to help users get started and troubleshoot common issues.
Training and Onboarding
Although not explicitly mentioned, many sales intelligence tools, including those from Dun & Bradstreet, often provide onboarding sessions and training materials to help new users become familiar with the platform’s features.
Community Support
Some platforms offer community forums or support groups where users can share tips, ask questions, and get help from other users.
AI-Powered Assistants
D&B Hoovers recently introduced SmartMail AI and SmartSearch AI, which are AI-powered tools that assist users in building targeted lists and automating messaging. These tools can significantly simplify the user experience and provide immediate support in prospecting and lead generation.
Feedback and Improvement
Dun & Bradstreet values user feedback and uses it to continuously improve the D&B Hoovers platform. Users can provide feedback through reviews and direct communication with the support team, which helps in making the product more user-friendly and effective.
While the exact scope of additional resources might not be fully detailed, the combination of a digital service center and AI-powered tools ensures that users have substantial support to optimize their use of D&B Hoovers.
D&B Hoovers - Pros and Cons
Pros of D&B Hoovers
Comprehensive Database
D&B Hoovers offers a vast and detailed database of company information, making it easier to conduct market research, identify potential leads, and stay informed about competitors and targets.
Ease of Use
Users praise the platform for its user-friendly interface, which makes it simple to find and organize the necessary information. The platform is easy to navigate, even for those who are not tech-savvy.
Advanced Filters and Search Capabilities
The tool features advanced filters that allow users to narrow their searches based on industry, company size, function, decision makers, and more. This helps in finding the right companies and contacts quickly.
Accurate Contact Information
D&B Hoovers is known for providing accurate contact information, including emails and phone numbers, which reduces bounce rates and improves the success of outreach efforts.
Integration and Compatibility
The platform integrates well with CRM systems, email, and Chrome, making it easy to set up and use in conjunction with other tools.
AI-Driven Features
The recent introduction of SmartMail AI and SmartSearch AI enhances sales prospecting and lead generation. SmartMail AI automates messaging with personalized and AI-optimized content, while SmartSearch AI helps build targeted lists of companies and contacts.
Cons of D&B Hoovers
Cost
One of the significant drawbacks is the high cost of the platform, which can be prohibitive for small businesses or those with limited budgets.
Data Accuracy Issues
Some users have reported issues with data accuracy, including outdated or incorrect information about companies and contacts. This can be frustrating and affect the effectiveness of the tool.
Login and Technical Issues
Users have experienced difficulties with logging in and receiving forgot password emails, which can disrupt workflow.
Limited Trial Period
Some users have suggested that a trial period would be beneficial to fully understand the tool’s capabilities before committing to a purchase.
Account Restrictions
There have been complaints about account restrictions, such as being blocked and required to pay additional fees to unblock the account.
Customer Support
Some users have reported poor customer support and management team interactions, which can be a significant drawback.
Overall, D&B Hoovers is a powerful tool for sales intelligence and lead generation, but it comes with some notable costs and potential issues with data accuracy and customer support.
D&B Hoovers - Comparison with Competitors
When Comparing D&B Hoovers with Competitors
Several key points and unique features stand out in the AI-driven sales tools category.D&B Hoovers Unique Features
D&B Hoovers, a sales intelligence solution by Dun & Bradstreet, has recently introduced Generative AI (Gen AI) capabilities through SmartMail AI and SmartSearch AI. Here are some of its distinctive features:- SmartMail AI: This tool automates messaging in up to 19 languages, optimizes content creation for emails, and streamlines outreach processes. It uses personalized inputs about the contact and their relationship with the sender to create individualized content.
- SmartSearch AI: An AI-powered chat assistant that helps users build targeted lists of companies and contacts based on specific criteria such as country, city, industry, and company size. This feature ensures users can quickly identify and action targeted opportunities.
Competitors and Alternatives
ZoomInfo Sales
ZoomInfo Sales is often highlighted as a top alternative to D&B Hoovers. It offers a comprehensive database of contact and company insights, including purchasing intent data. ZoomInfo’s platform is known for its accuracy and frequent updates, making it a strong competitor in the sales intelligence space.Apollo.io
Apollo.io is another all-in-one sales intelligence platform that competes with D&B Hoovers. It includes tools for prospecting, engaging, and driving revenue. Apollo’s B2B database contains over 210 million contacts and 35 million companies, and it offers an Engagement Suite to scale outbound activity and an Intelligence Engine for recommendations and analytics.Exceed.ai
Exceed.ai, by Genesys, is an AI conversational marketing tool that automates lead qualification, meeting scheduling, and lead re-engagement. It is particularly useful for teams looking to scale without increasing headcount. While it doesn’t offer the same breadth of global data as D&B Hoovers, it excels in automating customer engagement and qualification processes.Salesforce Einstein
Salesforce Einstein integrates with the Salesforce CRM to provide AI-powered tools for managing pipelines, identifying leads, and predicting sales outcomes. It generates sales content based on customer data, summarizes sales calls, and offers customizable dashboards for more efficient sales processes. While it is more CRM-focused than D&B Hoovers, it provides strong AI-driven insights and automation.Key Differences
- Global Reach and Language Support: D&B Hoovers stands out with its ability to operate in 19 different languages, making it highly suitable for international markets. This is a unique feature compared to many of its competitors.
- AI Capabilities: D&B Hoovers’ SmartMail AI and SmartSearch AI are built on Dun & Bradstreet’s foundational AI architecture (AiBE), which allows for quick development and deployment of new AI solutions. This scalability is a significant advantage.
- Data Depth: While ZoomInfo and Apollo.io offer extensive databases, D&B Hoovers’ integration with Dun & Bradstreet’s global data and analytics provides a deep and trusted source of business decisioning data.
D&B Hoovers - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about D&B Hoovers
What is D&B Hoovers?
D&B Hoovers is a sales acceleration solution that helps B2B marketing and sales teams identify and engage with potential sales prospects and growth opportunities. It leverages the world’s largest Commercial Data Cloud, provided by Dun & Bradstreet, to deliver comprehensive data on over 170 million businesses.What features does D&B Hoovers offer?
D&B Hoovers offers a range of features, including detailed company profiles, dynamic search and list-building capabilities, real-time trigger alerts, buyer intent signals, and relevant news. It also provides advanced analytics, such as SWOT analyses, First Research Industry Profiles, and Business Signals reports. Additionally, it includes customizable intelligence, CRM and MAP integrations, and mobile access to company profiles and news.How does D&B Hoovers help in identifying prospects?
D&B Hoovers helps in identifying the most valuable prospects by providing advanced search capabilities that go beyond ordinary keywords. It allows users to build highly targeted campaign lists using dynamic search features, Ideal Profile Scores, and SmartLists that monitor the global business database 24/7. These tools help identify companies involved in emerging technologies and other relevant activities, giving users a competitive edge.Can D&B Hoovers integrate with my existing CRM and MAP systems?
Yes, D&B Hoovers seamlessly integrates with your CRM (Customer Relationship Management) and MAP (Marketing Automation Platform) systems. This integration provides sales and marketing teams with a consistent source of real-time, complete, and actionable data, helping to improve sales productivity and increase marketing ROI.What kind of data does D&B Hoovers provide?
D&B Hoovers provides comprehensive data on over 206 million leading companies and more than 178 million professionals across 1,000 industry segments. The data includes company profiles, financial information, news, trigger alerts, and contact intelligence. It also offers insights into company structures, including parent companies, subsidiaries, and affiliates.How accurate is the data provided by D&B Hoovers?
While D&B Hoovers is known for its extensive and validated business records from 30,000 sources in 190 countries, some users have reported issues with outdated contact information. However, Dun & Bradstreet continuously works to improve the accuracy of the data and appreciates user feedback to address such issues.Is D&B Hoovers suitable for businesses of all sizes?
Yes, D&B Hoovers is suitable for B2B sales and marketing teams in companies of all sizes, from small businesses to enterprise-level organizations. It offers scalable solutions to meet the needs of various business sizes and types.How can I get started with D&B Hoovers?
To get started with D&B Hoovers, you can request a quote and receive a comprehensive proposal within one business day. You can also register for a free demo to see the product in action. For more information, you can contact Dun & Bradstreet directly or reach out to their customer service.What is the pricing structure for D&B Hoovers?
The pricing for D&B Hoovers is available upon request. There is no free trial or free version available. Some users have noted that the pricing structure, which may include credits on top of the subscription, can be limiting, but overall, it is seen as providing a good ROI for many businesses.Can I customize the number of users for D&B Hoovers?
Yes, you can choose the number of users for whom you want to get access to D&B Hoovers. This flexibility helps in tailoring the solution to your specific business needs.Does D&B Hoovers provide support and resources?
Yes, D&B Hoovers offers support via a digital service center and other resources. Users can also contact Dun & Bradstreet directly for any queries or issues they may have. D&B Hoovers - Conclusion and Recommendation
Final Assessment of D&B Hoovers
D&B Hoovers is a powerful sales intelligence platform that integrates advanced AI capabilities to enhance sales prospecting, lead generation, and overall sales productivity. Here’s a comprehensive overview of its benefits and who would most benefit from using it.
Key Features and Benefits
- Extensive Database: D&B Hoovers boasts an enormous database of over 170 million companies worldwide, providing detailed insights into company size, industry, revenue, and key decision-makers.
- AI-Driven Tools: The recent introduction of SmartMail AI and SmartSearch AI significantly boosts sales prospecting and lead generation. SmartMail AI automates messaging with personalized and AI-optimized content, while SmartSearch AI helps build targeted lists of companies and contacts based on specific criteria such as country, city, industry, and company size.
- Dynamic List-Building: Users can create highly targeted lists using advanced search and filtering options, ensuring they focus on high-potential leads.
- Real-Time Alerts and Updates: The platform allows users to monitor their target audience for new developments like mergers, acquisitions, and leadership changes, enabling timely and relevant messaging.
- Integration with CRM and MAP: D&B Hoovers seamlessly integrates with popular CRM and MAP systems, providing a consistent source of current, complete, and actionable data.
Who Would Benefit Most
D&B Hoovers is particularly beneficial for B2B sales and marketing professionals. Here are some key groups that would gain significant value from this platform:
- Sales Teams: By identifying the right companies to target, obtaining valuable insights, and understanding how to approach decision-makers, sales teams can prospect more strategically and close more deals.
- Marketing Teams: Marketers can leverage the platform to build highly targeted campaign lists, feed sales funnels, and increase campaign ROI by focusing on the most relevant opportunities.
- Businesses of All Sizes: Whether you are a small startup or a large enterprise, D&B Hoovers helps accelerate sales cycles, fill pipelines faster, and generate more qualified leads, leading to a significant boost in closed deals.
Overall Recommendation
D&B Hoovers is an indispensable tool for any organization looking to enhance their sales and marketing efforts. Here’s why:
- Efficiency and Productivity: The platform streamlines the entire sales cycle, allowing teams to focus more on closing deals rather than hunting for contact information.
- Personalization and Targeting: With AI-driven tools like SmartMail AI and SmartSearch AI, users can achieve better targeting and personalization, leading to more effective customer interactions.
- Global Reach: The ability to connect with prospects in 19 different languages and access a global database makes it an excellent choice for businesses operating internationally.
In summary, D&B Hoovers is a powerful sales intelligence solution that can significantly enhance the sales and marketing capabilities of any B2B organization. Its integration of AI, extensive database, and seamless integration with CRM and MAP systems make it an invaluable asset for driving business growth and increasing sales productivity.