Are you tired of chasing leads only to discover their phone numbers are wrong or inactive? You’re not alone. Research shows 38% of processed leads are invalid, and over 30% of these invalid leads are due to phone numbers. That means a significant chunk of your marketing budget and your sales team’s time could be wasted on unreachable leads.[1]
The Relevancy of Phone Numbers in Lead Gen
In lead generation, a phone number is more than just a form field — it’s a direct line to your potential customer. While emails can go unopened, a phone number enables quick, personal outreach that builds trust and converts interest into action faster.
But when phone data is wrong, it’s not just inconvenient — it’s expensive. Inaccurate numbers slow down prospecting, create compliance risks, and waste marketing spend. Every invalid lead has already cost money to acquire, and once it’s in your CRM, it keeps draining time and resources.
The difference accurate validation makes is clear. It could lead to a 65% increase in live connect rates after validating phone registrations.[2]
By verifying phone numbers at the point of entry, you prevent wasted effort before it starts — ensuring your marketing budget fuels genuine connections and your team focuses only on real, reachable leads.
3 Ways to Validate your Phone Numbers
There’s more than one way to validate a phone number, and the right method depends on what you’re trying to achieve. Whether you care most about lead volume, data quality, or verified ownership, there’s a solution that fits.
Here’s how the three main approaches compare:
1. Regex Validation (Format Check)
The Regex Validation (Regular Expression) is the simplest way to make sure a number “looks right.” It checks the length, symbols, and country codes to block obvious typos and random entries. It’s fast, free, and keeps your CRM clean. Ideal for top-of-funnel lead gen, where the goal is to attract a large number of new leads rather than quality.
2. Network Validation (Carrier Check)
Network validation goes a step further by checking if the number is actually registered with a carrier via an API call. It enhances lead quality without adding extra steps for users, which means less wasted effort for your sales team. However, you still don’t know if someone entered a number that isn’t theirs. It’s a solid, cheaper option for mid-funnel leads who already know your brand and are actively considering your product, offering better lead quality without creating too much friction.
3. OTP Validation (SMS Check)
OTP verification is the most robust measure to enhance lead quality. It sends a one-time code via SMS that the user must enter back, confirming the number is real and belongs to them. This stops fake or spam leads and builds trust for future communication. OTP maximizes lead quality, but it adds an extra layer of friction for users, which could harm your lead volume and conversion rates, and is more costly. It’s ideal for when you have a high lead volume and need to enhance quality, or anytime you need reliable, engaged leads.
Here's an overview of the three methods:
Recommendation
Choosing the right phone number validation method can dramatically impact the quality of your leads and the efficiency of your sales process. A simple format check makes sure numbers are entered correctly, keeping your CRM clean. Network validation goes further, confirming the number is active and reachable. And OTP verification? That’s the ultimate check, proving the number belongs to a real user.
Want a tool that makes it all effortless? Heyflow offers all three methods so you can start optimizing your lead quality today.
