Geocoding is a very difficult process, and will never be a perfect science, but we've set up a system to get as accurate data as available. Our first option is to look for coordinates embedded in the HTML of the web pages themselves, which often appear in pages that show the locations on a map. We figure the company itself will take great care to make sure these locations are accurate. But, if this is not available, we go through 3 levels of geocoding APIs to map the addresses to coordinates, including APIs from Google and Yahoo. These are the same systems that Google and Yahoo use to map the addresses you type in a search bar to find locations on their map programs. And underneath these services are data sources common to most all Geocoders, including NAVTEQ and Tele Atlas.

Very rarely do all of these attempts fail to get the best possible coordinate data, but when it does happen, we will still get coordinates for the next highest level on the map, whether that be street level, zip code+4, zip code, etc. We have found this system to be very reliable and have many customers who have used the data very successfully in their geocoding and mapping projects.