How to import and clean lead data in Zeliq for better targeting

If you’re using Zeliq to manage leads, you already know that clean data is half the battle. Messy imports, duplicates, and outdated info will slow you down faster than a bad Wi-Fi connection. This guide is for sales and marketing folks who want a simple, effective process for importing lead data into Zeliq and getting it squeaky clean—without wasting hours on mindless busywork. If you want better targeting and less guesswork, you’re in the right place.

Step 1: Prep Your Lead List Before Importing

Zeliq is only as smart as the data you give it. Garbage in, garbage out. Before you even touch the import button, take a minute to look over your lead list. Most headaches start here.

What to check:

  • Consistent formatting: Make sure names, emails, and phone numbers are in the same format all the way down. “john.doe@gmail.com” and “John Doe john.doe@gmail.com” are not the same thing to a computer.
  • Missing fields: Blank emails or company names? Decide if you really need those rows. Zeliq can’t work magic with half-empty data.
  • Obvious duplicates: No need to import “Acme Corp” five times. Quick Excel trick: Use Remove Duplicates before you export.
  • Special characters and weird symbols: These can mess up imports. Watch out for “smart quotes,” emojis, and stray punctuation.

Pro tip: If you’re exporting from another CRM, export as CSV. Zeliq handles CSVs best. Avoid Excel files with fancy formatting or extra header rows—they’ll just create problems.

Step 2: Map Your Columns to Zeliq Fields

Once you’re in Zeliq’s import tool, you’ll see the option to map your spreadsheet columns to Zeliq’s fields. Don’t just click “next” and hope for the best—this is where most people mess up.

Do this instead:

  • Double-check the field mapping. Zeliq will guess, but it’s not always right. Make sure “Work Email” from your spreadsheet goes into “Email” in Zeliq, not “Notes” or some random custom field.
  • Ignore junk columns. If your spreadsheet has fields you don’t need (“Last Contacted” from a previous CRM, for example), don’t map them. Less is more.
  • Standardize picklists. If you use fields like “Industry” or “Lead Source,” make sure your data matches Zeliq’s dropdown options, or you’ll end up with a mess of mismatched categories.

What NOT to do:

  • Don’t try to import every field under the sun “just in case.” Stick to what you’ll actually use. More fields = more clutter.

Step 3: Run a Test Import with a Small Sample

Here’s where most people get impatient and dump 10,000 leads in at once. Don’t do that. Import 10–20 rows first and see how it looks.

Why bother?

  • You’ll catch formatting errors, misplaced columns, and weird characters before they become a massive headache.
  • It’s much easier to fix a few rows than thousands.

How to do it:

  1. Copy the first 10–20 rows into a new CSV.
  2. Import into Zeliq using the mapping you set up.
  3. Review the leads inside Zeliq—check for missing info, incorrect fields, or anything that looks off.

If it looks good, you’re ready for the full import. If not, tweak your sheet and try again.

Step 4: Import Your Full Lead List

If your sample import looks clean, go ahead and import the full file. Zeliq will process it, and you’ll get a basic summary at the end.

Watch for:

  • Import errors: Zeliq will flag rows it couldn’t import, often due to missing required fields or invalid emails. Don’t ignore these—download the error report and see what went wrong.
  • Duplicate detection: Zeliq can catch some duplicates based on email or company name, but it’s not perfect. If you’re importing from multiple sources, expect to do some cleanup later.

Reality check: No CRM import tool is foolproof. Assume you’ll have to fix a few things by hand.

Step 5: Clean Up Data Inside Zeliq

With your leads now in Zeliq, it’s time for some digital housekeeping. This is where you get real targeting value.

What to focus on:

  • Merge duplicates: Zeliq has a basic deduplication tool. Use it, but don’t trust it blindly. Sometimes “Acme Corp” and “Acme Corporation” are the same company, sometimes not. Review matches before merging.
  • Spot check key fields: Scan through for obvious errors—emails in the “phone” field, weird capitalization, or fields that didn’t map right.
  • Fill in missing data: If you have leads missing phone numbers or job titles, Zeliq sometimes offers enrichment (for a fee). Use it for high-value accounts, not everyone.
  • Tag and segment: Add tags or assign leads to segments right away. Don’t wait—if you do, you’ll forget who’s who.

Pro tip: Don’t obsess over perfection. Focus on the fields you actually use for targeting (e.g., industry, company size, decision maker). The rest can wait.

Step 6: Set Up Ongoing Data Hygiene

Imports aren’t a one-time thing. If you want good targeting, you need a simple process for keeping your data clean over time.

Practical habits:

  • Set a regular review: Once a month, scan for duplicates, bounces, or leads with missing critical info.
  • Add validation rules: Zeliq lets you require certain fields. Use this for must-have info like email or company size.
  • Train your team: Make sure everyone knows what “clean” data looks like. One person importing junk ruins it for everyone.

What not to worry about:

  • Don’t sweat minor typos or the occasional extra space. Focus on the problems that actually get in your way.
  • Don’t buy into the myth that you need third-party “AI cleaning” tools for every list. Most small teams can do 90% of the work with a spreadsheet and some common sense.

What Works, What Doesn’t, and What to Ignore

Let’s be honest: Zeliq’s import and cleaning features are decent, but not magical. Here’s the straight dope:

What works:

  • CSV imports: Reliable, as long as your sheet is tidy.
  • Basic deduplication: Good for weeding out obvious repeats.
  • Manual segmentation and tags: Fast and effective for targeting.

What doesn’t:

  • Automatic enrichment: Expensive and hit-or-miss. Don’t bet your campaign on it.
  • Mapping custom fields: Zeliq’s flexibility here is limited. If you have a weird custom data setup, expect some hassle.

What to ignore:

  • Any “one-click clean your database” promises. There’s no magic wand—some manual review is always required.
  • “Best practices” that suggest you need 50+ fields per lead. More fields, more problems.

Keep It Simple, Iterate Fast

Importing and cleaning lead data in Zeliq isn’t rocket science, but it does take a little discipline. Don’t get bogged down chasing perfection. Start with clean basics, fix obvious mistakes, and improve as you go. The best targeting comes from data you actually use—not from fields you never look at. Keep it simple, iterate fast, and you’ll spend less time cleaning and more time closing.