How to Use the Digital Business Search Mode via API

Beyond Local Businesses

The Easy Email Finder API is best known for finding local brick-and-mortar businesses, but it also supports a "digital" search mode designed for online businesses. If you are targeting SaaS companies, digital marketing agencies, e-commerce stores, or any business that operates primarily online, this mode is for you.

How Digital Mode Works

When you set "mode": "digital", the API adjusts its search strategy to find businesses that may not have a physical storefront listed on Google Maps. Instead of focusing on local listings, digital mode searches for businesses based on their online presence, including website content, business descriptions, and digital footprint.

Basic Usage

curl -X POST https://easyemailfinder.com/api/v1/search \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer eef_live_your_api_key_here" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "query": "SaaS companies",
    "location": "San Francisco, CA",
    "mode": "digital"
  }'

When to Use Digital vs. Local Mode

Use "local" mode when targeting:

• Restaurants, cafes, and food service businesses
• Medical practices (dentists, chiropractors, veterinarians)
• Home services (plumbers, electricians, roofers, landscapers)
• Retail stores and salons
• Any business where foot traffic matters

Use "digital" mode when targeting:

• SaaS and software companies
• Digital marketing and web design agencies
• E-commerce stores
• Consulting firms
• Freelance service providers
• Online education and coaching businesses

Python Example: Finding Digital Agencies

import requests

API_KEY = "eef_live_your_api_key_here"
BASE = "https://easyemailfinder.com/api/v1"
HEADERS = {
    "Authorization": f"Bearer {API_KEY}",
    "Content-Type": "application/json"
}

# Search for digital marketing agencies
resp = requests.post(f"{BASE}/search-and-enrich", headers=HEADERS, json={
    "query": "digital marketing agency",
    "location": "New York, NY",
    "mode": "digital"
})

data = resp.json()
for lead in data["results"]:
    if lead.get("email"):
        print(f"{lead['name']}: {lead['email']} ({lead.get('website', 'N/A')})")

print(f"\nTotal results: {len(data['results'])}")
print(f"Credits used: {data['creditsUsed']}")

Node.js Example: SaaS Company Discovery

const API_KEY = "eef_live_your_api_key_here";
const BASE = "https://easyemailfinder.com/api/v1";

async function findSaaSCompanies(niche, location) {
  const resp = await fetch(`${BASE}/search-and-enrich`, {
    method: "POST",
    headers: {
      "Authorization": `Bearer ${API_KEY}`,
      "Content-Type": "application/json"
    },
    body: JSON.stringify({
      query: niche,
      location: location,
      mode: "digital"
    })
  });

  const data = await resp.json();
  const withEmails = data.results.filter(r => r.email);

  console.log(`Found ${withEmails.length} ${niche} companies with emails`);
  for (const company of withEmails) {
    console.log(`  ${company.name}: ${company.email}`);
  }

  return withEmails;
}

// Find different types of digital businesses
await findSaaSCompanies("project management software", "Austin, TX");
await findSaaSCompanies("SEO agency", "London, UK");
await findSaaSCompanies("e-commerce platform", "Toronto, Canada");

Multi-Mode Search Strategy

For comprehensive coverage of a market, run both modes and combine the results:

import requests
import time

def comprehensive_search(query, location):
    """Search with both local and digital modes for maximum coverage."""
    all_leads = []

    for mode in ["local", "digital"]:
        resp = requests.post(f"{BASE}/search-and-enrich", headers=HEADERS, json={
            "query": query,
            "location": location,
            "mode": mode
        })
        results = resp.json().get("results", [])
        all_leads.extend(results)
        time.sleep(7)  # Respect rate limits

    # Deduplicate by email
    seen_emails = set()
    unique_leads = []
    for lead in all_leads:
        email = lead.get("email", "").lower()
        if email and email not in seen_emails:
            seen_emails.add(email)
            unique_leads.append(lead)

    return unique_leads

leads = comprehensive_search("marketing agency", "Chicago, IL")
print(f"Found {len(leads)} unique leads across both modes")

Quality Signals in Digital Mode

Digital mode results include the same quality signals as local mode: tech stack detection, social media links, and franchise indicators. These signals are especially valuable for digital businesses, as tech stack data can help you qualify SaaS companies based on the technologies they use.

Effective Query Strategies for Digital Mode

Digital mode works best with specific queries. Instead of broad terms, use descriptive phrases:

• Instead of "software" try "HR software company" or "accounting SaaS"
• Instead of "agency" try "content marketing agency" or "PPC management agency"
• Instead of "store" try "organic skincare e-commerce" or "custom jewelry online store"

Next Steps

Digital mode opens up a whole new category of leads beyond traditional local businesses. Combine it with the search-and-enrich endpoint for maximum efficiency, or build a lead generation bot that targets both local and digital businesses. Full API documentation is available at easyemailfinder.com/developer/docs.