RADD - Project Updates: Find Info with No Website

Context

In our database, a missing URL (website link) is a red flag. It usually means one of two things: the facility has gone out of business, or the data is incomplete.

However, we cannot simply guess. We are the "detectives" of data. Our goal is to ensure every record in the RAD database is 100% accurate. If we provide our AI agents or marketing teams with bad links or closed businesses, we waste resources and lower our trust score.

Learning Objective: By the end of this module, you will be able to investigate records with missing URLs, cross-reference data points to verify business status, and determine when to update a record versus when to flag it for a phone call.

The Investigative Workflow

When you encounter a record with a missing URL, follow this four-step investigation process.

Step 1: The "Search Bar" Trick

Don't just look for the name. Copy the Name + Address and paste it directly into the Google address bar.

• Why? This casts a wider net than searching for just the name (which might return similar businesses in other states) or just the address (which might show the building but not the tenant).
• What to look for: Look for a "Knowledge Graph" on the right side of Google, or listings in directories like Yelp, Yellow Pages, or Healthgrades.

Step 2: Cross-Reference Secondary Sources

If Google doesn't show a direct website, check secondary sources like MapQuest, Yelp, or Google Maps.

• The "Permanently Closed" Indicator: If MapQuest or Google Maps explicitly tags a location as "Permanently Closed," this is a strong signal.
• Action: If you see "Permanently Closed," do not delete the record immediately. We must follow the "Court of Last Resort" rule (see Step 4).

Step 3: Analyze Data Discrepancies

Sometimes you will find a website that looks like the right business, but the details don't match.

• Scenario: You search for "Cabot Imaging Center." You find a website for a center with that name, but the Address and Phone Number are different from what is in our database.
• The Trap: Do not assume they moved and simply overwrite the old data. It is possible these are two completely different businesses, or the facility in our database has closed and a new one opened elsewhere.
• The Protocol:
  1. Do NOT overwrite the existing contact info with the new one found online if the address and phone vary significantly.
  2. Add a Note: Paste the link you found into the record's notes section.
  3. Flag for Call: Mark the record for manual verification.

Step 4: The Court of Last Resort (Calling)

When digital investigation hits a dead end, or when data is conflicting (e.g., MapQuest says closed, but Yelp says open), we use the Court of Last Resort: The Phone Call.

• When to call:
  • If a facility is listed as "Permanently Closed" online (to confirm).
  • If you find a website but the address/phone doesn't match our record.
  • If there is absolutely no digital footprint.
• Why: A 30-second phone call is more accurate than 30 minutes of Google searching.

Summary

• Missing URLs are a signal to investigate, not just ignore.
• Verify Status: Use Google, Yelp, and MapQuest to see if a business is "Permanently Closed."
• Handle Discrepancies with Care: If the website you find has a different address and phone number than your record, do not overwrite the data. Add the link to the Notes and flag it.
• Call to Confirm: When in doubt, or when evidence suggests a closure, calling the facility is the only way to be 100% sure.